Ponte Taboada

The Taboada Bridge was built over the Deza River in 912, date that appears in one inscription, and connects the towns of Silleda and Lalín.   It is a Roman bridge that was part of the royal road that joined the cities of Santiago and Ourense. It is very likely that it replaced older bridges built in the same place, probably made of wood, from which it took its name (Pons Tabulata). It is made in austere ashlar masonry, with only one semicircular arch of considerable height built over two rocks that narrow the river.   A few meters before the bridge, towards the Way of Saint James, there is an inscription written in Latin on the flat side of a large stone. It reads: “LaVORABERVNT isTA PONTE In ERA DCCCCL eT FVIT PERFECTA pRIDIE KL DS APIES”, which means: “This bridge was built during the 950 era and finished on 31 Mars”. The 950 era corresponds to the year 912, its date of construction.   The bridge stopped being passable when the road was built in the second half of the 19th century. Afterwards it became the passage towards Santiago de Compostela for the pilgrims from the Vía de la Plata (Silver Way).