Bridge of the Tavirona

Cartaya

This iron bridge, which crosses the Piedras River, was the crossing area of ​​the railway line from Huelva to Ayamonte by Gibraleón whose route was as follows:

Huelva - Gibraleón – Aljaraque – Cartaya – Villablanca – Lepe - La Redondela - Isla Cristina - Ayamonte.

With a structure similar to the bridge of the Tinto dock, in Huelva, this bridge was built with the remains of an old train car in 1931. It is an engineering work of 80 meters in two 40-meter metallic sections to cross the Piedras River to the height of the place that gives the bridge its name.

The Cartaya train station, located in the La Estación Industrial Park, is currently a service center for the transport of merchandise.

The railway line was built by the State. The Spanish Government considered the use of the railway as a great help for the defense of the border in the Guadiana in this area, beginning to function for military needs in 1936 due to the civil war.

It was in 1940 when it began to be used fully, both for the freight service and for travelers. In merchandise traffic, there were products such as fresh fish, preserves, figs and wines, almonds and oranges among others.

The line was in operation for just 50 years, due to the innumerable advantages that began to offer public transport by road in shorter routes. An insufficient time for its good use and amortization of the investment made.

The final closure took place in 1987. For this reason, the railway line was transformed into forest roads. In 1990 it was adapted to Vía Verde Litoral, which is traced along the old railway line, passing by the Natural Sites of the Odiel Marshes, Marshes of Ayamonte and Isla Cristina, and the Marismas del Río Piedras and La Flecha of the Rompido.

Nowadays you can cross on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. It is a place from where you can see an extensive view of the "Marismas del Río Piedras Natural Park and El Rompido Arrow".