About 12 km from the town, the Roman Bridge of Vila Formosa spans the Ribeira de Seda and ranks among the finest and best-preserved Roman bridges in Portugal. Built in the 1st to 2nd century AD, it formed part of the great Roman road connecting Olisipo (Lisbon) with Augusta Emerita (Mérida), the capital of the province of Lusitania.
Its robust ashlar stonework carries six identical round arches — each about 9 metres across — along a deck roughly 117 metres long and up to 8.4 metres high, with smaller relief openings between the piers to ease floodwaters. Remarkably, it carried road traffic until a modern bridge was built alongside in 2009; today the old crossing and its picnic area can be visited on foot, free of charge. It has been a National Monument since 1910.
Highlights
- Among Portugal's best-preserved Roman bridges
- Built in the 1st–2nd century AD
- On the Roman road from Lisbon (Olisipo) to Mérida
- Six matching arches across about 117 metres
- Carried traffic until 2009; National Monument since 1910
History & context
Built in the 1st–2nd century AD, the bridge was a key crossing on the Roman road linking Olisipo (Lisbon) and Augusta Emerita (Mérida), capital of Lusitania. It remained in use for road traffic for nearly two thousand years, until a modern bridge replaced it in 2009. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
🗓️ Best time to visit
Morning or late afternoon for the best light
⏱️ Duration
30–45 minutes
♿ Accessibility
The bridge deck is reachable on foot; approaches and riverbank are uneven
Frequently asked questions
How old is the bridge?
It dates from the 1st to 2nd century AD, built by the Romans on the road between Lisbon and Mérida, and is one of the best preserved of its kind in Portugal.
Can I walk across it?
Yes — since a modern bridge was built alongside in 2009, the Roman crossing is pedestrian, free to visit, with an adjacent picnic area.
Where is it?
Over the Ribeira de Seda, about 12 km from Alter do Chão near the village of Seda — a short drive or transfer.
Is it worth the detour?
For anyone interested in Roman heritage, yes — the scale and preservation are striking, and the riverside setting is peaceful.