The borders between Portugal and Spain hide dozens of little-known stories, many of them linked to old smuggling routes, improvised crossings and small villages separated only by a watercourse. In Alentejo, there is one of those discreet connections that continues to arouse curiosity among visitors on both sides of the border.
According to the municipality’s portal, the Marco International Bridge is considered the smallest international bridge in the world. The structure is in the parish of Esperança and connects the Portuguese town of Marco to the Spanish town of El Marco, belonging to the municipality of La Codosera, in Badajoz.
Crossing that can only be done on foot
The bridge crosses the Ribeira de Abrilongo and is around six meters long. According to the same source, its dimensions only allow the passage of pedestrians or two-wheeled vehicles, making it impossible for cars to circulate. Despite its simple appearance, this small infrastructure gained notoriety precisely for uniting two countries without any border posts or crossing controls. The website writes that the crossing continues to be used daily by visitors and residents of the region.
Long before the current bridge existed, residents improvised a passage with logs and wooden planks to cross the stream. These structures were often washed away during periods of heavy rain. Over the decades, the crossing also became an important point for smuggling between Portugal and Spain. Tobacco, coffee, cork and olives were some of the products transported clandestinely between both sides of the border.
Reconstruction supported by European funds
The current bridge was rebuilt at the end of the first decade of the 21st century with support from community funds. The infrastructure received safety improvements, including the installation of a handrail. Despite the changes, the place maintained the discreet image and small size that made it known. The same source mentions that the crossing remains integrated into a rural landscape marked by the proximity between Portuguese and Spanish communities.
On the Spanish side is La Codosera, a village located northwest of Badajoz and close to the Portuguese border. According to the property buying and selling platform, Idealista, the region is distinguished by the strong presence of vegetation and the wooded banks of the Gévora River. The humid climate of the area favors the existence of chestnut trees, cork oaks, olive trees, pine trees and other forest species. According to the same source, the cultivation of agricultural products and rice continues to be important in the local economy.
Monuments and stories on the Spanish side
Among the main historical points of La Codosera are the medieval castle, the Main Church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Chandavila. The sanctuary gained notoriety after supposed Marian apparitions that occurred in 1945. The 14th century castle remains on a high point in the village and remains visible from a long distance thanks to the large religious figure placed on the hill.
On the Portuguese side, Arronches maintains a strong connection to the medieval past and proximity to the border. The Alentejo village is known for its houses decorated with colorful bars next to the doors and windows. According to the same source, the history of Arronches was marked by successive military disputes. The town was conquered, lost and reconquered at different times during the Christian Reconquista, due to its strategic position next to the border.
Historical traces still remain
The ancient castle of Arronches was rebuilt in 1310 on top of previous structures and performed important defensive functions for several centuries. The 1755 earthquake accelerated the degradation of the fortress.
Many of the materials ended up being reused in local constructions, with only traces of one of the towers remaining today. Even so, the village retains other relevant historical buildings, such as the Main Church and the Town Hall, both from the 16th century.
Small bridge that continues to attract visitors
Today, the Marco International Bridge has become a popular tourist spot for those visiting the border region between Alentejo and Spanish Extremadura. The short distance between the two countries and the uniqueness of the infrastructure help maintain interest around the place.
The crossing continues to symbolize the historical proximity between Portugal and Spain, preserving a memory linked to the old border routes and the life of the communities that for decades depended on that small passage over the Abrilongo river.
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