Why does this ancient bridge still stand? It’s the Pont sur oued Tensift, a testament to enduring engineering. This bridge crosses the Tensift River just north of Marrakesh. Its story began in the 12th century during the Almohad period.
Let’s journey back to the time of the Almoravids. Emir Ali Ibn Yusuf, ruling from 1106 to 1143, first envisioned a bridge here. He sought architects from al-Andalus to build it. The bridge was vital. It allowed passage over the river during annual floods. Sadly, this first bridge succumbed to floods a few years after its completion.
Around 1170 CE, the Almohad ruler Abu Ya’qub Yusuf decided to rebuild. He chose a less vulnerable spot 400 meters downstream. Marmol wrote that the original bridge had 15 arches. Today, the Pont sur oued Tensift boasts 27 arches. The riverbed widened over the centuries. This widening necessitated extending the bridge.
The original Almohad section likely forms the middle part of the bridge we see today. Notice the pillars. Their stepped and pointed profiles face upstream. Downstream, they present a blunt profile. This design allows the structure to withstand the river’s force across centuries.
Imagine the yearly floods. The Pont sur oued Tensift has faced countless deluges. Yet, it stands firm. Its strength lies in its design. Its resilience speaks to the ingenuity of its builders.
The bridge served as the sole crossing point over the Oued Tensift. It connected Marrakech to Salé, Rabat, Casablanca and El-Jadida from the 12th to the 20th century.
Interestingly, Portuguese texts record an attack on Marrakesh in April 1515. Nuno Fernandes de Ataide led the Portuguese troops. After a failed assault on the city walls, the defenders counterattacked. The Portuguese retreat was hampered because three central arches of the Pont sur oued Tensift were destroyed.
Saadian dynasty chronicles mention repairs to the bridge around 1555. Sultan Mohammed ech-Cheikh ordered this restoration. In 1802, Alaouite ruler Moulay Slimane rebuilt some collapsed arches.
The existing Almohad bridge stretches about 400 meters. It originally had 30 arches. Now, 27 remain visible. The others lie buried under sediments on the north bank. The arches are semicircular at the ends and pointed in the middle. Pillars, arches, and the deck consist of stone. However, brickwork appears in the reconstructed parts. The pillars are 5.30 meters thick. They are protected upstream by salient spurs averaging 4 meters. The arches span from 5.10 meters to over 6.40 meters. The deck is nearly horizontal and 8.70 meters wide. It stands 5.60 meters above the riverbed. Exceptional floods, like those in March 1949, sometimes submerge it. The bridge has undergone numerous repairs, particularly on its upstream face.
The Pont sur oued Tensift is more than just a crossing. It is a symbol of Marrakesh’s history. It is a reminder of the empires that shaped this land. As you stand here, consider the centuries of stories flowing beneath your feet. This bridge has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties. It has endured floods and attacks. It continues to connect people and places.