THE SAN MARTÍN BRIDGE
The San Martín Bridge, located next to the parish of San Martín de Tours, is one of the most emblematic points of Toledo. This medieval bridge crosses the Tagus River and connects the city with the old Jewish quarter. In ancient times, it was the main entrance from the Montes de Toledo and replaced a boat bridge destroyed by a flood in the 12th century. It was restored in the fourteenth century after a confrontation between two kings, thanks to the donations of Archbishop Don Pedro Tenorio, who also ordered his effigy to be placed on the bridge.
Legend has it that the architect in charge of rebuilding the bridge made a mistake in the fastening calculations, which would have caused the bridge to collapse when the scaffolding was removed. His wife, upon learning this, set fire to the structure to avoid discrediting her husband. The next day, the city believed it was a natural accident, and the architect was able to finish his work. Moved by the woman's sacrifice, the archbishop had her image carved in the center of the bridge, where it still stands.