Pont Vell and the Cardener Riverbank Panorama
The Pont Vell — Old Bridge — is a slender 14th-century stone arch bridge that frames one of the most photogenic views in all of inland Catalonia: the Seu basilica and the Cova de Sant Ignasi sanctuary stacked dramatically above the Cardener River. At golden hour the pale limestone glows amber and the reflection in the slow river below is postcard-perfect.
The Bridge and Its History
Built around 1339, the Pont Vell served as Manresa's main river crossing for centuries and is remarkably intact. Its single pointed arch spans 37 metres and the bridge deck is wide enough for pedestrians to stroll comfortably, making it both a working path and an open-air monument.
The bridge is best appreciated from the small gravel beach on the western bank, just downstream, where you get the full composition of bridge, cliff, basilica and sanctuary in one frame. Early morning mist sometimes lingers on the water here, adding an almost ethereal quality to the scene.
The Riverside Walk and Séquia Waterway
From the Pont Vell you can follow the shaded Passeig del Riu along the Cardener for about two kilometres, passing weeping willows, herons and the occasional kayaker. The path connects to the network of trails around the medieval Séquia de Manresa, a 26-kilometre irrigation canal completed in 1339 — the same year as the bridge.
The Séquia trail is one of the region's great low-key cycling and walking routes, linking Manresa to the town of Balsareny through vineyards and poplar groves. Hiring a bike in Manresa and riding even a 5-kilometre section gives you an immediate sense of how the Bages landscape works.
More of Manresa
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Manresa →
