Madrid - Viaducto

The construction of a bridge over the depression of Calle de Segovia to link the Palacio Real with the Church of San Francisco el Grande was a project long cherished by Sacchetti, the architect of the palace; but this revolutionary piece of urban planning was not actually carried out until 1874. Work began on the construction of the Viaduct during the reign of King Amadeo I and was completed during the short-lived First Republic. This first viaduct, an iron structure on stone foundations, was 130m (142yd) long, 13m (43ft) high and crossed Calle de Segovia at a height of 23m (65ft). The original viaduct soon showed signs of wear, and had to be completely rebuilt after little more than a half-century of existence. Work began under the Second Republic, which did not survive its completion in 1942. In recent years this iron and concrete structure has undergone further restoration.

From the viaduct, which features in Madrid's accident statistics as the scene of not a few suicides and attempted suicides, there are fine views of the Casa de Campo and the sea of roofs in the old town.