When History Cracks: Ancient Roman Bridge Succumbs to Modern Floods

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 15th-century Roman bridge in Talavera de la Reina, central Spain, partially collapsed on March 23 due to severe flooding. Built atop Roman foundations and standing for over 600 years, the structure gave way after the Tajo River (Tagus) overflowed following weeks of intense storms and rainfall.

Footage shows the historic bridge now split into three segments, with only a central arch stubbornly resisting the current. Talavera’s mayor, José Julián Gregorio, called it "a terrible day in the history of Talavera," as residents mourn the loss of a cultural landmark that had withstood the test of centuries—until now.

The destructive force of Storm “Martinho” was just the latest of four storms in three weeks to batter the region. With 10 of Spain’s 19 regions under orange and yellow weather alerts, rivers swelled, reservoirs overflowed, and floodwaters raced through towns like Avila, where entire neighborhoods were submerged.

Contributing to the crisis was the rapid melting of snow in the nearby mountains, which exacerbated the river’s surge. While no lives were lost in this specific incident, prior storms, such as “Laurence,” have proven deadly—claiming the lives of a couple swept away in their car.

Spain’s Ministries of Culture and Ecological Transition have pledged to rebuild the 61-meter-long, 4-meter-high Roman bridge. Yet, as ancient structures face modern climate extremes, questions arise: how many more pieces of history will we lose before resilience meets reality?

Check out the following video showcasing the impact of the historic bridge partial collapse.