María Cristina Bridge: Difference between revisions

María Cristina Bridge (Basque: Maria Kristina zubia, Spanish: Puente de María Cristina) is a bridge over the Urumea river passing through the Basque city of San Sebastián (Spain).

Construction and opening

In 1893 was built a temporary wooden walkway that would allow direct access from downtown to the North Station, the bullfighting arena or the velodrome.

On day 19, before the opening of the new bridge, the suspension was driving on the old wooden bridge, for its subsequent destruction.

The final bridge was inaugurated on January 20, 1905, festivity of Saint Sebastian.

The invitation stated: "Tengo el honor de invitar a V... al solemne acto de la inauguración del Puente Maria Cristina que se celebrará el día 20 del corriente, a las 3 de la tarde y al té que a continuaciónde la indicada ceremonia tendrá lugar en la Casa Consistorial. San Sebastián, 15 de Enero de 1905. El Alcalde Presidente del Excelentísimo Ayuntamiento. De levita o uniforme."

The Caja de Ahorros of the municipality had funded the construction of the bridge with a credit to one hundred years without interest. Ribera and Zapata had been the authors of the project and Marcelo Sarasola and José de Goicoa, engineer and municipal architect, respectively.

On the bridge highlighted the four monumental obelisks, located at its ends, copies of the Alexander III bridge in Paris, with 18 meters high, crowned by sculptural groups. It was built in reinforced concrete, which was a novelty for the era, with three arches of 24 m long, with 20 meters wide and 88 long.

The opening was a cause of great celebration. At three o'clock in the evening began with the band actuaciónde Union. After the bands played two infantry companies. Then the band entered the council with any corporation, press, etc.., Which had left the Fish Street and throughout the tour were decked balconies. In case of bad weather was expected to make a special trip by tram.

In the streets nearby had a large audience. And a ringing of bells announced the arrival of the religious authority.

Later Donostiarra Choir and the Choir of the Municipal Academy of Music consists of 110 children, sang a hymn composed for the occasion by the teacher Santesteban. Welcome Real, January 20, 1905.

At half past six p.m. almost the whole neighborhood had gathered near the North Station to witness the fireworks and the bull scheduled fire. San Sebastian was three years without festivities to protest the ban sokamuturras Hall to celebrate, considering that this celebration "was more like a small town a large capital" so that January 14, 1902 had ignited outrage among young people had shown their anger by stoning lampposts, shop windows, and official centers newsrooms. So this day police action was taken to avoid disturbances. Along the bull were about ten serene with prepared sticks and walked a few meters as many calm, prompting loud protests from the neighborhood. And so ended the opening day.