THE “MISERICORDIA” BRIDGE IN VIVEIRO IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: TWO UNPUBLISHED DRAWINGS FROM THE NATIONAL ARQUIVE

Abstract

This article shows and analyses two unpublished drawings of the main bridge in Viveiro which are kept in the National Historical Archive. One of the graphic documents, which dates from 1702, was drawn by Francisco de Castro Canseco and the other one –which is anonymous– also dates from those years. Apart from offering a panoramic image of the town of Viveiro, in Lugo, both drafts describe the architectural structure of the old royal bridge built in the days of Charles V. In addition, two important buildings are dealt with in detail: The Baroque Chapel, after which the viaduct is named, and the Royal Door, declared as a listed Monument of Historical and Artistic interest in 1942.