Pont de Querós is once again a desert

* The authors are part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
03 July 2023 Monday 22:45
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Pont de Querós is once again a desert

* The authors are part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia

It turns out that the tables have turned. If months ago it was the Sau reservoir that looked like a desert, now it is a joy to contemplate, while the Susqueda reservoir is sad, as can be seen in the photos of the readers of La Vanguardia in the landscape around the Pont de Querós .

This bridge was exposed by the drought, so it could unexpectedly be crossed again on foot. But it was partially flooded again four months ago, and now, on the other hand, there is almost no water and you can see the cracked earth around it. Even at the time of capturing these photographs, we have been able to have breakfast quietly under the bridge.

This bridge is located in the current term of Sant Hilari Sacalm and formerly crossed the river Ter next to the old town of Querós. But it was under the waters of the Susqueda reservoir.

In this form, it is only visible in times of drought, when the water in the swamp drops below 35-40%. Now it is at 29%, when last year it was at 55% at this time and the average for the last five years is 193%.

The bridge is supported by three large pillars with four semicircular arch arches, the two central ones larger than the two end ones.

The pillars of the bridge are made of ashlars and the upper part of the bridge is made of stone and lime mortar. In the pillars there are still visible the holes that on both sides of the bridge allowed the scaffolding to be placed. The floor of the bridge is made of pebbles.

The bridge was built between 1532 and 1534 by the master builder Joan Roig. The central part was rebuilt between 1696 and 1700 after it was damaged by a flood in 1617, known as the "aiguat del diluvi" (deluge downpour). It was repaired again in the years 1940-1941. In 1967 it was definitively covered by the waters of the Susqueda reservoir. But, in the drought, it is exposed again.

The Sau reservoir, which used to be below 10% capacity, is now at 31%. In addition, the green landscape has taken over the surroundings of the reservoir, where the bell tower of the church of Sant Romà still stands out, while the ruins of the houses of the old town have once again been submerged.