A Ponte Nova

About this heritage

The Ponte Nova of Ourense, located upstream from the Ponte Romana about 450 meters away, is one of the symbols of the city's progress. Its history begins in 1895, when the need for new infrastructure to improve communication between both banks of the Miño was promoted. The project was commissioned to engineer Martín Díaz de la Banda, who designed an innovative work for the time, in an elegant modernist style. Construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1918, under the direction of Manuel Fernández García.

The Ponte Nova features six ashlar arches and a central metallic section with a parabolic arch, combining Outariz stone and iron. Its pilasters are decorated and topped with cast iron lanterns. Since its inauguration, the Ponte Nova has been a symbol of modernity and growth in Ourense, to the point that the city also became known as “the city of bridges”.mo unha “ballesta” sobre as augas “cantariñas” do río Miño»

To learn more

Did you know that in Ourense there is a modern bridge called Ponte Nova? It is near the Roman bridge and was built so people could cross the Miño river more easily. Construction started over 100 years ago and was finished in 1918. The bridge has stone arches and an iron one in the center, which looks like a large crossbow over the water. It also has very beautiful lanterns. Thanks to this bridge, Ourense became famous for having many bridges and growing as a modern city.

To know it better

The Ponte Nova of Ourense, inaugurated on May 31, 1918, is a key work of Galician civil modernism and a milestone in early 20th-century engineering. Initially designed by engineer Martín Díaz de la Banda and completed under the supervision of Manuel Fernández García, the structure combines six ashlar arches — made with Outariz stone carved by Cotobade stonemasons — and a central metallic section with a parabolic arch, reflecting an advanced technical solution for its time. The ornamentation includes decorated pilasters and cast iron lanterns from the Iglesias workshop in Madrid. The Ponte Nova not only facilitated urban development and expansion of Ourense but also became an emblem of local modernity, praised by figures such as Risco, Cuevillas, and Trabazo, and consolidated Ourense's image as the “city of bridges.”