“The Hanging Bridges of Chulilla" hiking route

Description

Recently built (2013), the history of these bridges is much more distant than one might think. It all began in the 1950s, with the construction of the Loriguilla reservoir, in the midst of the boom of the reservoirs, during Franco's time. The population of Chulilla increased thanks to the construction of the reservoir, as most of the workers who came from abroad stayed in Chulilla at that time. It was then that they decided, in order to shorten the distance they had to travel between Chulilla and the reservoir, to build two bridges: a suspension bridge and a fixed bridge, which allowed them to cross the Turia canyon in less time. But after the flood that reached Valencia in October 1957, the water flow that crossed the Turia canyon was such that it took the two bridges with it and it was not until 2013 that the initiative was relaunched to remember and remember those bridges that were devastated by the flood and to promote tourism in the town and the surrounding area. The highest bridge has a height over the river of approximately 15 metres, not suitable for those who are afraid of heights, and a footbridge length of approximately 21 metres. Nowadays Chulilla is considered one of the most visited tourist attractions in the province of Valencia and this is largely due to the impressive hiking route along the river Turia called "Ruta de Los Calderones" or "Ruta de los Puentes Colgantes".