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The Pont de Can Vernet is, in reality, a medieval aqueduct, in Gothic style, unknown and hidden in this bridge that we can see in La Vanguardia Readers' Photos. It was built in the 14th century to bring water to the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.
This stone bridge from Campanyà transported water from the Monjos mine in Can Vullpalleres to the monastery and to the lower part of the town. This work of medieval engineering was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1979.
The Pont de Can Vernet spans the Can Cornellera stream and is formed by three semicircular arches, as can be seen in the photographs. It carried water in a canal covered with slabs to a cistern located in the abbey palace.
It ceased to have any use for the monastery when the confiscation took place, in 1835, when it became municipal property. And it was essential to supply water from the mine to the population until 1922.
In 1998 the bridge was restored and rehabilitated, transforming it into a pedestrian walkway between Calle de la Mina and Avenida Vullpalleres. In this way, the fact that it was an aqueduct goes unnoticed.
In fact, the remains of the last section of the aqueduct channeling were found in Octavià Square in archaeological excavations carried out in 2001.
There is a popular legend, according to which the Pont de Can Vernet was built by the devil in one night, in exchange for the soul of the first being to cross it. But, unfortunately for the devil, this was a cuckold and sly old man.
Currently, the medieval bridge of Can Vernet gives its name to a park in Sant Cugat, where there is a children's play area and colored pavement paths for cycling.
