Encina del Puente de la Culebra

Beneath the sprawling canopy of the Encina del Puente de la Culebra, secrets whisper on the breeze. This magnificent holm oak, a designated singular tree of the Community of Madrid, stands as a silent sentinel near the Puente de la Culebra, the “Snake Bridge.” The Encina del Puente de la Culebra, with its impressive 23-meter height and a crown diameter of 24 meters, has witnessed centuries of history unfold. Its story intertwines with that of the bridge, a structure initially called “Puente Estrecho” (Narrow Bridge). King Carlos III commissioned the Italian architect Francesco Sabatini to construct five bridges over the Meaques stream in the Royal Site of Casa de Campo. The Puente de la Culebra, completed in 1782, is the most spectacular of the five. Its serpentine form, echoing the Italian Baroque style Sabatini favored, earned it the nickname “Snake Bridge.” Its brick arches and granite railings, topped with ornamental pinnacles, add to its unique charm. Originally designed to be narrow, the bridge prevented carriages from passing. It stands near a small dammed section of the Meaques known as the “estanque chico” (small pond). Imagine the era of King Carlos III, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on the nearby paths, and the gentle murmur of the Meaques stream. The Encina del Puente de la Culebra would have already been a mature tree then, offering shade to passersby. The bridge, however, saw turbulent times during the Spanish Civil War. According to local accounts, the bridge’s railings were destroyed to remove cover for advancing enemies. Machine gun nests were even built into the bridge’s structure. For decades, the bridge stood without its distinctive railings, a stark reminder of the conflict. They were not restored until the 1960s or 70s. Today, as you stand near the Encina del Puente de la Culebra and the restored Puente de la Culebra, take a moment to appreciate their intertwined stories. The resilience of nature, embodied by the ancient oak, and the marks of human history etched onto the bridge, create a poignant scene. The Encina del Puente de la Culebra continues to thrive, its roots anchoring it to the past, its branches reaching towards the future. It stands as a living testament to the enduring power of nature amidst the ever-changing landscape of human history.