Puente De La Constitución de 1812
La Constitución de 1812 Bridge, also known locally as Puente de la Pepa, stands as Spain’s longest bridge — a remarkable feat of engineering that spans the Bay of Cádiz. This impressive structure connects the ancient city with Puerto Real, transforming what was once a 45-minute journey into a brief five-minute crossing.
An Engineering Marvel
Stretching five kilometres across the bay, with more than three kilometres suspended over water, the bridge represents one of Spain’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. Its cable-stayed design features towers reaching 185 metres in height, supporting 176 steel cables. The structure boasts a width of 36 metres, accommodating a highway with two lanes in each direction plus an additional lane reserved for public transport.
Construction began in 2008, requiring 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and resulting in a structure weighing 70,000 tonnes. Designed by renowned engineer Javier Manterola and executed by Dragados company, the bridge wasn’t completed until 2015. When it opened, data from the Ministry of Development indicated it was the second-largest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
The bridge features a 69-metre clearance between its lower section and the water, with a main span of 540 metres — making it the longest span bridge in Spain, surpassing both the Ingeniero Carlos Fernández Casado Bridge in León and the Rande Bridge in Pontevedra. Its total length even exceeds famous American structures like San Francisco’s Golden Gate (2.7 kilometres) and New York’s Brooklyn Bridge (1.8 kilometres).
Where Ancient Cádiz Meets Modern Architecture
From Costa Ballena Golf & Beach Resort and the neighbouring town of Rota, the bridge has become an integral part of the horizon. Its elegant silhouette creates a striking contrast against both clear blue skies and dramatic sunsets, adding a contemporary element to views that have evolved over centuries.
At the bridge’s southern end lies Cádiz, widely regarded as Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Founded by Phoenician traders around 1100 BCE, its strategic position has attracted civilisations for over three millennia. This rich heritage is visible in its ancient fortifications, winding streets, and distinctive architecture.
The city’s cinematic beauty caught Hollywood’s attention when it served as a filming location for the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” with its dramatic coastline doubling as Havana. This blend of ancient history and modern recognition mirrors the bridge itself — a structure that honours tradition while boldly embracing the future.
The Constitución de 1812 Bridge doesn’t merely connect two points; it links Spain’s constitutional past with its present, creates new perspectives of an ancient landscape, and stands as a testament to human ingenuity in a city that has witnessed thousands of years of innovation.