Today we look at the Casa de Campo, one of our favorite places in Madrid, let's stop at the Snake Bridge, soon received that name because of its sinuous shape. The Casa de Campo is probably the best place to ride Madrid bicycle, both mountain and road, and crossing the Puente de la Culebra by bike is a delight.

The best way to access the bridge is from the Campamento neighborhood, through an access at Boadilla del Monte highway nº 30, highway M-502. When entering the park you pass over the stream Meaques, about 100 meters to the right you can easily find the bridge, near the Zarzón fountain. You can also access from the zoo from Madrid, you skirt the main door heading west, you look for the Meaques stream, a tributary of the Manzanares and if you go up it you will also reach the bridge.

The Culebra Bridge was initially named after Narrow Bridge. It is built under the reign of the monarch Carlos III at the Royal Site of the Casa de Campo. It is one of the five bridges built by the Italian architect Francesco Sabati on the Meaques stream, and the most artistic of all. It was completed in 1782, and was designed with a narrow width to prevent the passage of carriages. At the location of this bridge the stream is dammed in what is known as “small pond.” It is usually a very good place to see mallards, moorhens and tortoiseshells.

It is a clear example of the influence of the Italian baroque of which Sabatini was a good exponent. Brick arches and granite parapet topped by 10 ornamental pinnacles, give it a very elegant air. After a restoration, seven of its pinnacles that had disappeared have been replaced by copies.

The Casa de Campo has several streams, the two main ones, the Meaques and that of Antequina, have lasted to this day

Source: urbancidades.wordpress.com

some of its bridges. In the 19th century we were told about six of them in the first of the streams: Snake Bridge, from the Black Alamo, from the Batán, from Siete Hermanas, from the Agachadiza and from the Neveros and a couple of them in the Antequina. Another day we will tell you something more about them and those who have reached us.

One last recommendation, if you have come this far, don't stop looking for the Encina del Puente de la Culebra, a specimen included in the Catalog of Singular Trees of the Community of Madrid, which must have already been a large tree when the bridge was built. It's worth knowing her.

A abrazo.