Cenarbe Viaduct. 20th century

Known as the Cenarbe Viaduct (originally St John’s viaduct), it is one of the most outstanding architectural structures built for the International Railway Line Pau-Canfranc-Zaragoza. It is in the municipality of Villanua, halfway between the latter and Castiello de Jaca. The quality of its construction, the elegance of its design and its strategic importance made it a key element in the complicated route that was planned to navigate the abrupt geography of the valley.

It was inaugurated on the 24th of June, 1916, although the first train did not use it for some time. It is 357 metres long and 20 metres high. It has 28 arches and is located at kilometre 12 of the section between Jaca and Arañones, between tunnels 6 and 7 to the south and 8 to the north. The S-shaped course is reminiscent of a snail and so it is popularly known. The viaduct is situated after a spiral tunnel built to gain altitude before tackling the most complex section of the line.

Although nothing is left of the engineers’ building, made by the company to house them during the construction phase, it was adorned with a stout stone ballustrade which reproduced to scale the 28 arches of the viaduct.

. [ Jacetania ]