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We usually go to see buildings that stand out for their architecture, such as all the modernist buildings in Barcelona, ??such as Casa Batlló or Casa Milà. We are also attracted to public art, such as the sculptures that we see displayed outdoors in cities.
But, there are other architecturally attractive structures that are not as visited by tourists, although they are authentic engineering gems. I am referring to railway bridges.
In this photographic report in La Vanguardia Readers’ Photos I am going to show you this immense double bridge, which was built to cross a torrent when laying out the train line from Barcelona to Lleida. I recommend visiting it.
It is located in the municipality of Castellbell i el Vilar, in the Vallès Occidental region. And it is an authentic and brutal work of engineering. Its arches were made with billets, but with incredible perfection considering the means of the time. This double-span railway bridge is worthy of admiration and it is worth highlighting its good state of conservation despite the passing of the years.
It must be borne in mind that, when the section of the train line from Terrassa to Manresa, between Castellbell and El Vilar and SantVicenç de Castellet, with a length of 9,200 meters, was built, several accidents had to be saved from the terrain.
In Castellbell i el Vilar, as happened in Vacarisses, they had to deal with the terrain’s orography with large works, with large-scale earthworks, as explained in Train Stories.
Among other actions, they built a wooden bridge in the Clot de la Noguera and the tunnels of the Bauma, with 134 meters; of Tallades, with 137 meters, and of Grauet, with 200 meters in length, as well as the stone bridges and work on the stream of Rellinars and Vallhonesta.
