Pont de la Cabreta

Pont de la Cabreta is a stone bridge spanning the Freser river on the boundary between Ribes de Freser and neighboring Campdevànol, in Catalonia's Ripollès region. Also known locally as Pont de la Corba, it ranks among the region's most notable Romanesque structures.

What is the history behind the bridge?

The bridge was built in two clearly distinct phases. The oldest section — the western arch together with the eastern abutment — dates back to the 10th century and is traditionally linked to Count Oliba Cabreta, ruler of Cerdanya and Besalú, whose name the bridge still carries. The second building phase, which accounts for most of the structure seen today, came considerably later. For centuries the crossing formed part of the old royal road connecting Ripoll with Cerdanya: before a newer route to Puigcerdà via Barcelona was built, anyone travelling on foot toward Cerdanya had no choice but to cross this exact bridge, making it a key link on the historic Pyrenean route. In 1994 the site underwent archaeological excavation, after which it was restored by the regional government of Girona.

What will you see there?

The scale of the construction is immediately striking. The bridge is double-arched and measures 53 metres in length. Its main arch spans 23 metres and rises 13 metres above the waters of the Freser — a combination of width and height that draws the eye of anyone walking through the valley. The older, Romanesque western arch, together with its abutment, measures just under 7 metres across, and the contrast in building technique between this section and the newer part of the bridge is easy to spot up close. The whole structure is built from stone bonded with lime mortar, a material typical of Romanesque bridge-building in this part of Catalonia. The bridge sits along the road running from Campdevànol to Ribes de Freser, right where the valley starts to widen, just past the Herand neighbourhood, on the left-hand side of the route.

How do you get there?

The easiest way to reach the bridge is by car or on foot from Ribes de Freser, following the road toward Campdevànol — it becomes visible once you pass the Herand neighbourhood. It's also a regular stop on walking and cycling routes linking the two towns, forming part of the wider network of Romanesque heritage trails across Ripollès.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn offer the best conditions, with moderate water levels in the Freser and comfortable temperatures for walking the surrounding paths. Summer brings more visitors passing through the valley on their way into the Pyrenees, while winter can turn noticeably cold, in keeping with this part of Catalonia's mountain climate.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Pont de la Cabreta located? The bridge stands on the boundary between the municipalities of Ribes de Freser and Campdevànol, over the Freser river, in Catalonia's Ripollès region.

Where does the bridge's name come from? It's named after Count Oliba Cabreta, ruler of Cerdanya and Besalú, credited by tradition with building the oldest, 10th-century part of the structure.

Did the bridge serve a practical purpose historically? Yes — it formed part of the old royal road from Ripoll to Cerdanya and had to be crossed by every traveller before a newer route via Puigcerdà was built.

Is it worth spending extra time at the bridge? Definitely — the surrounding area lets you appreciate the scale of the construction up close, and the bridge makes a convenient stop on a walking or cycling route between Ribes de Freser and Campdevànol.