Popayan’s historic bridges

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The southwestern Colombian city of Popayan is built around a river and has many beautiful bridges, the most important of which are the Humilladero and Custodia bridges.

The Humilladero bridge was built in 1873 and was formerly the main entrance into the city. Although the bridge is no longer a major transport route, it remains a lovely relic of times past.

The bridge is worth visiting for “its architecture, its brick masonry, and its masonry glue, which is made from a mixture of lime, salt, beef blood and egg shell,” Jose Reinaldo Muñoz, the Culture and Tourism Coordinator of Popayan, told Colombia Reports.

The bridge is made up of 12 long arches which connect the downtown area to the city’s northern neighborhoods.

The bridge also serves as both a market and venue. Vendors set up along the bridge and in the adjacent plaza selling accessories, apparel, local foods and knick knacks. To the west of the bridge grass stadium stairs serve as seating from which spectators can watch “all kinds of cultural events of interest to the entire community,” said Muñoz.

Visitors to the Humilladero bridge can also easily get a look at the city’s oldest bridge, the Custodia, which was built in 1713 and lies just to the east of the Humilladero.