2021: A Pedestrian Suspension Bridge in Portugal is Opened to the Public

April 29, 2021

A pedestrian suspension bridge in the vicinity of northern Portugal’s municipality of Arouca was first opened. With a length of 1,693 feet (516 meters), this structure is one of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges. This bridge was named “Arouca 516” in reference to both its measurement in meters and the municipality in that area. Arouca 516 is suspended 574 feet (175 meters) above the Paiva River.   

On its first actual day of service, this bridge was opened only for Arouca residents to cross. One of the first residents making their way across the bridge on that Thursday was Hugo Xavier. “I was a little afraid, but it was so worth it,” he said with relief after reaching the other side of the bridge. “It was extraordinary, a unique experience, and an adrenaline rush.” Xavier’s fellow Arouca resident Rui Brandao likewise crossed the bridge that day. “I strongly advise you to come even if, like me, you have vertigo,” he said afterwards. “I have to say I haven’t felt it at all.”  

On the Sunday after local citizens became the first individuals to cross Arouca 516, this bridge was officially opened to the larger public.

Photo Credit: Luis Ascenso (https://www.flickr.com/people/107521854@N05) – licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license at Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

For more information on Arouca 516, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arouca_516