Arequipa’s “Old Bridge” began life on the 11th of June in 1577, but it took until 1608 to be completed at a cost of 150,000 silver pesos. The city was in need of a way across the river Chili from the city’s center, and Spanish architect Juan de Aldaná oversaw the project during all this time.

On the near side, the bridge fuses with the picturesque houses on the river’s edge, from which you can appreciate the bridge’s structure.

In recent decades, the look of the bridge and surrounding area has changed dramatically. The avenue “La Marina” has since been constructed, and the river has lost some of its breadth to make way. The bridge itself has been widened somewhat to incorporate walkways and new railings.

Tags: 1500s, 1600s, architecture, arequipa, avenida la marina, el misti, puente bolognesi, rio chili