"Per lo Pont d'Inca novament fahedor". Ruina y reconstrucción de un puente mallorquín (1465)

Abstract

Amongst civil constructions of public interest during the medieval period, it is worth quoting the bridges. They are key points for communication network. One of the main roads of Mallorca in the XVth century was still the so-called road of Inca that united the City of Mallorca with this town, the second most important on the island. The Pont d’Inca, on a torrent called Gros, had been damaged, which made crossing more difficult. After several attempts, in 1465, measures were taken to find a solution to this problem and the work is adjudicated to one of the most prestigious masons of the moment: Guillem Vilasclar. The problem was thus solved, moreover, the ruinous state of the bridge could represent a danger, specially during rain times when people and animals cons­cantly run a risk when crossing the torrent. Thanks to che Capítols agreed between Guillem Vilasclar and the Great General Council, we know many details of the construction of the new bridge such as its dimensions, structure, form, materials, time needed to build it and pri­ce - it costed 51O pounds.