The pyramid towers
Four white towers on red bases.
Raomir Ramirez Morales — CC BY-SA 3.0 · EdgarKhan1 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kamilokardona — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Raomir Ramirez Morales — CC BY-SA 3.0 · No machine-readable author provided. Scabredon~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). — Public domain · No machine-readable author provided. Scabredon~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). — Public domain
The Puente de Occidente, or Bridge of the West, is a historic suspension bridge across the Cauca River in western Antioquia, between the municipalities of Olaya and Santa Fe de Antioquia. It has been a national monument since 26 November 1978, and in its time it was among the largest suspension bridges in the world. Construction began in 1887 under the engineer José María Villa, born in nearby Sopetrán. Villa studied engineering in New Jersey and worked on the Brooklyn Bridge before coming home. The cables and steel parts came from England, while the towers used local materials. It was the longest bridge of its kind on the continent at first, and opened to pedestrians only. The bridge hangs in a single span from four white pyramidal towers, two on each bank, set on bases of red brick. Its wooden deck has a central lane for small vehicles and two side paths for pedestrians. You walk across above the wide brown river, with dry green hills around. The best photograph is from the facing hill, where the whole bridge shows. The bridge is 4.1 km in a straight line north-east of Santa Fe de Antioquia and 44.8 km north-west of Medellín. Small motor taxis run from town. The midday heat is fierce, so bring a hat and water. Stay on the pedestrian path and watch for vehicles, especially with children.
Four white towers on red bases.
A walk above the wide Cauca.
The whole bridge in one shot.
Cauca River, between Olaya and Santa Fe de Antioquia
The engineer José María Villa, who studied in New Jersey and worked on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Yes, there are two side paths for pedestrians and a central lane for small vehicles.