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In this series of images in Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia we can see the Querós bridge with very little water, in the Susqueda swamp, Sant Hilari Sacalm, in the Selva region.
Now, if we compare them with the photographs from a year ago, when it became passable again and was visible due to the persistent drought, we will see that the desert landscape is advancing. The land gains ground over the vegetation.
This bridge formerly crossed the River Ter next to the old town of Querós. But it remained under the waters of the Susqueda reservoir. In this way, it is only visible in times of drought.
It is supported by three large pillars with four semicircular arches, the two central ones larger than the two at the ends.
The pillars of the bridge are made of ashlars and the upper part of the bridge is made of stone work and lime mortar. The holes on both sides of the bridge that allowed scaffolding to be placed are still visible in the pillars. The floor of the bridge is pebbles.
Before its construction there is evidence of the existence of levers that were used to cross the Ter river in Querós. The bridge was built between 1532 and 1534 by the master of houses Joan Roig.
The central part was rebuilt between 1696 and 1700 after it was damaged by a flood in 1617, known as the “aiguat del diluvi” (downpour of the flood).
It was repaired again in the years 1940-1941. In 1967 it was definitively covered by the waters of the Susqueda reservoir. But, in times of drought, like now, it is passable again.
