Bridges in Lisbon

Ponte 25 de Abril | Vasco da Gama Bridge | Bridges in Portugal

Two famous bridges span the River Tagus in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. These are the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Both are major landmarks of the city and record setters in their own way.

Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge)

25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril)

The Ponte 25 de Abril was built during the Salazar era and opened in 1966. It connects Alcântara on the north bank of the Tejo with Almada and the statue of Cristo Rei on the south bank at the narrowest part of the river.

2,277 meters in length the bridge carries both trains and motor vehicles.

The bridge was originally named Salazar Bridge after the dictator António Salazar (1889-1970) but the name was changed to Ponte 25 de Abril after the Carnation Revolution in 1974. The bloodless revolution took place on April 25, 1974.

When the bridge was completed four months ahead of schedule, it had the longest suspended span and the longest main span in Europe. In addition, the structure had the world's longest continuous truss and the world's deepest foundations for a bridge at 80 meters.

Ponte Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama Bridge (Ponte Vasco da Gama)

The Vasco da Gama Bridge opened in 1998 and connects Parque das Nações to Alcochete and Montijo on the south bank of the River Tagus. It is 17 km long making it the longest bridge in western Europe.

The bridge rises 47 meters above the Tagus and is a wonderful sight from either shore or if passing by boat.