Puente Califalf, Pinos Puente
The bridge, which is classified as a Caliphate bridge, has been designated a Site of Cultural Interest since 1922. While the exact date of its construction is unclear, the bridge has undergone various reconstructions and alterations over the centuries, suggesting that it may have been built during the Roman era (Fernández, 2013). Consisting of three large, slightly horseshoe-shaped ashlar arches with interlocking voussoirs, the bridge also has a hidden fourth arch on the north side. This arch is known by very few people, even though the voussoirs of the arch can be seen on close inspection.
In the centre of the bridge sits a chapel dedicated to the Virgen de las Angustias, popularly known as 'The Virgin’s Little House'. This chapel stands above an archway and an octagonal lantern with a Mudejar-style interior vault. These features are all topped by a gabled roof.
The Chronicles tell us that when Christopher Columbus was denied funding for his voyage to the Indies by Queen Isabella, he was summoned by her as he was leaving Granada. The royal messenger met him at the Puente de Pinos and informed him that the Queen had decided to finance the voyage that would lead to the discovery of America. The bridge's current appearance does not correspond to the original, as it has undergone minor modifications over the centuries, the last of which occurred in the early 1900s. It is located on Calle Puente Virgen.
Medias Lunas From the bridge, you can see the Media Luna de Pinos, a distinctive engineering structure that regulates the flow of the Cubillas River. Its expressive half-moon shape gives this type of weir its name and is only found in this area of the Vega de Granada.
Next, continuing along the Vereda de la Alameda, you will pass the Acequia del Cabo. Various crossings over the canal can be seen here, which once had a dual function and are not used as much today. They now serve as pedestrian crossings on the way to Sierra Elvira and channel the ravines that lead to the Cubillas River. Made of brick and masonry, these crossings are probably from the mid-twentieth century, although it cannot be ruled out that they have a much older origin, like the bridge and the half-moons. If you continue straight ahead, you will reach the Media Luna del Sombrerico. These small waterfalls form part of an irrigation system that diverts water from a main irrigation ditch to secondary ones, creating a network of canals that extends throughout the Vega. The origin of this hydraulic structure is a hotly debated topic. Some believe it is of Iberian or Roman origin, while others suggest it dates back to the Caliphate period and some even claim it is no more than two hundred years old.
Location