The bridge known as ‘Puente del Baño’ is listed as a Site of Local Relevance by the Directorate-General for Artistic Heritage of the Valencian Regional Government. It is located over the Palancia River, next to the Fuente del Baño fountain, to which it provides access. Its foundations are built on top of an earlier medieval bridge which, although now demolished, was already located in the most suitable geographical spot for crossing the river.
The bridge as we know it today was designed around 1799 by architect Mariano Llisterri and was financed with contributions from several surrounding villages, which needed good transport links with the Aragón road. However, the Puente del Baño has undergone various alterations and repairs over the years, making it difficult to establish its chronology. For example, when the central arch collapsed in the second third of the 20th century, it was necessary to resolve the situation with a wooden footbridge supported by struts for an indefinite period of time until it was rebuilt.
From a technical point of view, the bridge is an ‘arch bridge’ with a bent profile, characterised by a large central arch and a smaller side arch that acts as a spillway. The ashlar masonry on which it rests gives the bridge great strength, while the arch is composed of well-crafted voussoirs, with the rest being masonry.
Currently, this bridge not only serves as a crossing to reach the Fuente del Baño, but also provides access to the residents of the small housing development located on the other side. Therefore, if you decide to visit it by car, we recommend parking before crossing the bridge to avoid obstructing the access road, and in any case, prioritising access on foot to the Fuente area.
Navajas Papers: The Bath Bridge
In 2009, Navajas Town Council published issue No. 1 of Papeles de Navajas, which was dedicated to the study of the Puente del Baño bridge. This 50-page book, with texts by David Montolío Torán (coord.), art historian; Rafael Martínez-Porral, archaeologist; and Ignacio Martínez-Porral, civil engineer, analyses the architecture of this bridge, attempting to provide an overview of its chronology and history and offering us a valuable insight into its history.
This document can be consulted below:
