Information about Old Spanish Bridge

Old Spanish Bridge

Batanes’ Old Spanish Bridge was built in the 1800s during the Spanish era in the Philippines. It is one of the oldest bridges in the province. It is also known as the Tuhel Spanish Bridge since it stands over Tuhel Creek. The structure stretches to 12 meters and was built using lime and mortar. 
The Old Spanish Bridge is also one of the few surviving bridges constructed in the Philippines during the Spanish period. 
The bridge has three arches of varying dimensions supporting the structure. It was constructed without any reinforcement steel. To hold the mortar in position until it hardens, gabi leaves were used in place as forms. The traces of the fact are still evident to this day. 
It was originally 63 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, and 6 meters high. However, in 1970, during the service of Mayor Manuel Valones, the bridge was rehabilitated to prevent any further soil erosion. It was also expanded to accommodate four-wheeled vehicles. 
The Old Spanish Bridge was noteworthy during the Spanish era when coastal roads were not yet wholly connected. The bridge helped link some sitios to the rest of the island. 

Best time to visit

For a hassle-free trip, it’s best to plan your visit to the bridge around summer season in the Philippines (March to May) to avoid heavy rainfall.