The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge is complete and is set to open in Portugal. It is going to open to the public on Monday. Adventure lovers can experience the splendid views of a surrounding waterfall, gorge, and river from this bridge.
The landscape is calm, but not for the faint-hearted
Known as 516 Arouca, this bridge is hidden in the Rocky Mountains of Portugal’s Arouca Geopark. Mountains are covered with lush greenery and yellow flowers. But it is suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above the fast-flowing River Paiva. So this bridge is “not for the faint of heart.”
“The new bridge, under construction since May 2018, is inspired by the Inca bridges that spanned the Andes mountain valleys,” a release says. “Last year, the municipality of Arouca described the bridge as ‘frighteningly beautiful.’ “
Following are some of its features:
- The bridge measures 516 meters (1,692 feet) long.
- It is suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above a river.
- It’s named the 516 Arouca bridge because it is located in the town of Arouca.
- It’s a Tibetan-style hanging bridge and it connects the banks of the Paiva River.
- It takes about 10 minutes to walk the entire length of the bridge.
- The bridge is held up by steel cables.
- There is a see-through metal grid walkway.
- It took several years to build this bridge.
- Designed by Portuguese studio Itecons, and constructed by Conduril, this bridge cost about $2.8 million (2.3 million euros)
Tour guide Emanuel, said, “It is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people,” “It will bring a new dynamic to Arouca.”
