Ponte de Aljezur

The bridge is situated over the Ribeira de Aljezur, in an area located at the confluence of the Ribeira de Alfambras and Ribeira da Cerca, at the eastern lowlands of Aljezur.^[1] It is obligatory northern passage from the Algarve along the EN120 and, similarly, the principal access to the old village (including market).^[1]

The silted margins of the river, in an area 15 metres (49 ft) from the bridge, are important habitats for waterfowl and species. The presence of European alder (Alnus glutinosa), Poplar (Populus), Willow (Salix) and Reed bed provides a habitat for various species of Spanish pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa), Viperine water snake (Natrix maura), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata), Greylag goose (Anser anser), Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and the Common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos).^[1] Along the banks are various aromatic plants, such as Rosemary, Lavender and Mint.^[1] To the east stretches a fertile floodplain, used for cultivating sweet potato and corn, and as pasturelands for dairy cattle. Downstream are vestiges of the ancient fluvial port with mooring posts, and a cisterns that was situated near the (now disappeared) inn and tollhouse.^[1] To the west of the bridge, near the entrance to the south, is the old village grocery, while to the east (and few meters away) is the municipal market.^[1]

The mixed-use bridge is 39 metres (128 ft) long by 8 metres (26 ft) wide, oriented east to west. It is a three arch structure, of equal dimensions, over two rectangular pillars linked and leveled to the roadway.^[1]

The bridge is constructed of masonry, plastered and whitewashed with exposed stone along its arches, while the guards with pilasters, painted grey.^[1] The asphalt roadway is lined by pedestrian walkways in Portuguese pavement stone, and industrial tile. To the extreme west the road curves to the north, bypassing a small courtyard and palm tree, with an identical guardrail that delimit the left bank of the river.^[1]

• Bernardes, João Pedro (2006), "Existem Pontes Romanas no Algarve?", in Pereira, Angelina (ed.), Actas das I Jornadas as vias do Algarve da Época Romana à Actualidade, São Brás de Alportel, Algarve: Câmara Municipal de São Brás de Alportel/CCDR, pp. 14–19
• Câmara Municipal, ed. (1 July 2015), Roteiro do Circuito Histórico-Cultural de Aljezur (PDF), Câmara Municipal de Aljezur