Em Portugal, no Peso da Régua, a ponte metálica foi reabilitada há uns anos e atualmente podem apenas passar pessoas a pé ou de bicicleta.
www.viajecomigo.com
I think the auberge will be in the little yellow building at the far end of the bridge in the first photo. The building is called the "house of the cantoneiro" and I think a cantoneiro probably translates as a "boundary keeper" or something like that. What an amazing location! It looks down on the high reaches of the Douro, well up-river (east) from Porto.
Edited translation of the website above:
"Metal Bridge of Régua, Portugal North
In Portugal, in Peso da Régua, the bridge metal was rehabilitated a few years ago and currently people can only walk or cycle, making the connection between Régua and Lamego. It is a beautiful place to stroll and enjoy the view of the Douro River. This bridge was degraded for a long time but was rehabilitated and reopened in 2012, when a new wooden floor was placed, maintaining the original characteristics of the crossing.
The bridge - inaugurated on December 1, 1872 - was built by King D. Luís I, to serve as a quick crossing between Peso da Régua and the municipality of Lamego, which is across the Douro River. The bridge was closed in 1949 due to its state of degradation, mainly visible on the wooden floor. Automobile circulation started to take place on the bridge next to it, built between 1925 and 1927. Currently, to keep the wood in good condition (for a longer time) only people on foot or by bicycle can cross this 19th century metal bridge, designed by W. Liebe. Happy travels! "
Gratifying to see that the municipality is renovating this abandoned and significant building as an auberge and accompanying services (they say new public washrooms below, as well.) This is likely one of a range of current initiatives to use regional Portuguese tourism tax dollars to support the caminho experience. There's a real effort to improve tourist infrastructure, and particularly that for peregrinos, outside the big three of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
www.cm-pesoregua.pt
