The right hand bank of the River Vero was once protected by strong walls, which were later used as the foundations for houses. Of considerable height, these houses created a compact and solid barrier, which was enhanced by the protection offered by the natural barrier of the river. Access to Barbastro from the left bank was only possible by crossing the bridges that connected it to the city.

The Portillo Bridge upstream was constructed in the 20th century in a similar style to the one it replaced. The old brick bridge, dating back to the 16th century, had three spans and had suffered heavy bombing during the civil war. There is also evidence that a bridge stood in this spot as far back as the medieval era to provide access to the poor area of the city, which was probably made of wood. Portillo means “narrow or small door,” and for this reason it is thought that this was the main access to the walled city.

The San Francisco Bridge and the door of the same name, take their name from the convent of Franciscan monks, which was established near here in the 18th century. Old photos show the appearance of that particular bridge before it was demolished in 1936 for “public decorum, reasons of urban hygiene and aesthetics.”

The waters of the Vero are low during the drier seasons of the year, but the river is well known for sudden and destructive surges. Before the river was channelled through the centre of the city, high waters could destroy everything in their path and citizens living close to the river were frequently evacuated. The city’s bridges were damaged over and over again and underwent many renovations over the centuries.

The dam was a barrier that directed the water of the Vero to an irrigation channel. The continual erosive effect of the river and the damage caused by swollen waters resulted in the need for constant repairs to the dam, which eventually disappeared after the channelling of the river in 1969.

With its many rivers and a population scattered amongst small villages, Somontano has traditionally been covered by a multitude of paths, many of which had to cross gorges such as the one at Olvena.

During the medieval era, the construction of a bridge was a luxury due to the high cost involved. Their construction was only considered once other more important necessities had been taken care of, such as churches or defences, and only in places of high water flow or great drops to reach the water.

Only kings, the wealthy and the powerful could assume the costs of construction. As a result they were often financed by donations, which were solicited from the large cities and villages of the kingdom in exchange for indulgences, and by money from bequests, although these brought relatively trivial amounts.

The scale of the constructions and the fact that they lasted beyond generations gave them a magical and supernatural character. Because of this, and also because of the technical expertise that was required to build them, many legends arose placing the devil as their architect, as is the case here.It is said that a beautiful young girl from Olvena, fed up with having to wade through the river as were the rest of her neighbours, offered her soul to the Devil in return for a bridge, on the condition that he was able to construct it in just one night. Satan accepted the deal and they agreed that if the bridge was finished before the cockerel’s crow the following morning, the young girl would hand over her soul.

Despite the fact that the Devil’s cunning helped him to build the bridge in just one night, the girl placed a candle in front of the cockerel a little before dawn. Thinking that it was already day, he started to crow. The Devil didn’t quite finish the bridge (he left out the last stone) and so lost his bet and had to return to the fires of hell without achieving his mission.

This legend is told in many other places in Aragon with almost exactly the same plot but with different names and the scenery. However this dramatic spot is one of the easiest places to envisage the Devil having a hand in the construction of the bridge.

Medieval bridges are narrow because at that time the roads were no more than footpaths. Wider bridges were only built once the use of the cart became more widespread. They usually sit on rock as it provided good support for the foundations. This meant that their construction was more complex and required more effort than modern day bridges, which are often built on the river bed. The stronger the construction and finish, the longer the bridge would withstand the sudden rises of water level in the rivers of Somontano.

Medieval bridges (such as the bridges in Olvena) usually have a single arch but appear high and light giving them an attractive and slender silhouette. The Devil’s Bridge has a large central arch supported by rock and seats have been carved out on both banks. The smaller arches to the side served as spillways.

The Sierra Bridge is located a little further upstream; after leaving the car in a small lay-by at the end of large tunnel, walk for around 100 metres to reach the site of this magnificent construction. It is more impressive due to its great height.

Communication between the villages in the Rodellar Valley has been possible over the centuries due to an extensive network of paths bordered by dry stone walls, which stopped livestock from eating the crops.

To overcome obstacles such as a river, bridges were built where possible (such as the Cabras and Pedruel bridges) but sometimes stepping stones were enough. Huge stones placed in the water allowed people to cross without getting wet.

In addition to the placing of tree trunks across a channel, stepping stones are the oldest and simplest system used by man since pre-historic times. The ford of Pedruel can be crossed on foot thanks to these large stones.

The supply of materials between villages or the need to take cereal to the nearby flour mill required the use of pack animals due to the heavy loads. Donkeys and mules also passed across these stepping stones.

However, after heavy storms the traffic was often interrupted as the rocks were easily carried away by sudden surges in water. Time and time again, after each flood, locals and travellers alike would make a huge effort to replace the stones to recover the crossing.

In 1571 the Barbuñales council commissioned Simón de Carre and Rodrigo del Camino to build this fountain.

Like many other stone masons at the time, they originated from Ajo in Santander. Work had brought them to Somontano during this prosperous era and as a result they went on to undertake many other projects in the area such as bridges, chapels, churches and ancestral homes. The quality work of their fellow countrymen was already well known throughout the kingdom. They had previously worked in Cuenca and Zaragoza and once the fountain in Barbuñales was complete, they were contracted to build the "Fuente del Muro" in Barbastro, sadly no longer standing.

Although this fountain is austere and functional, it is evident that the stone ashlars were cut with as much care as if destined for a church and bring nobility to the construction.

This model brings together the four elements of the traditional fountain in an intelligent manner and this design proved so efficient that it was used for centuries without variation.

As is the case with all the fountains in Somontano, the water was channelled from afar to the environs of the village. Underground channels were made of fired clay pipes, which had to be sunk deep into the ground. It was said that the further underground they were, the longer they lasted, and, in addition, the water was cooler in the summer and in less danger of freezing in the winter.

Although there were also pipes made of wood and metal, the clay pipes were more widely used as they were cheaper and left no aftertaste. It was said at the time that “they make the water taste better……the water, being a natural element of earth, was in its universal place.”

These pipes were made by a potter from Barbastro called Batlanau. For the 2,000 pipes he made to complete the 800 metres of channel, he was paid 700 jaqueses, a coin used in Aragon at that time.

In areas as dry as these, the fountain was the only way of obtaining water. It was here that villagers would fill pitchers to take to their homes, water their horses and livestock and wash their clothes. Water that was left over after these needs had been met was used to water the nearby vegetable plots.