The Puente del Deseo (Bridge of Desire), built between 1831 and 1836, is part of the infrastructure of the Campos Branch of the Canal de Castilla, designed to ensure the continuity of roads along the waterway. Located in the municipality of Paredes de Nava (Palencia), at kilometer 110.250, it allows the road connecting Paredes de Nava with Frechilla to cross, integrating vehicular traffic into the canal’s operation.
The structure is resolved by means of a segmental arch, a solution that reduces the height while maintaining the overall stability. The arch is approximately 9.95 meters long and nearly 5.70 meters high. The bridge itself is about 13.25 meters long, 6.95 meters wide, and has a maximum height of 6.60 meters. It is constructed of brick, while the parapets and wing walls are made of limestone. These open wing walls support the road embankment and visually organize the structure. Narrow sidewalks, now rebuilt in concrete, are located beneath the bridge, and the roadway above is paved, reflecting later modifications.
The bridge is preserved in good condition and maintains all of the original hydraulic work, which is fully protected due to its heritage value.
For the visitor, the Puente del Deseo (Bridge of Desire) offers an interesting stop to understand the evolution of the Canal de Castilla in the 19th century, observe the coexistence between historical engineering and current uses, and enjoy the open landscape of Tierra de Campos from a point where roads, water and territory meet.
