Eduardo Villena Rey Bridge

Eduardo Villena Rey Bridge

Puente Eduardo Villena Rey
The bridge in 2013
Coordinates12°07′39″S 77°02′08″W / 12.127552°S 77.035575°W / -12.127552; -77.035575
Named forEduardo Villena Rey
History
Construction start1966
Construction end1967
Location
Map

Eduardo Villena Rey Bridge (Spanish: Puente Eduardo Villena Rey) is an arch bridge in Miraflores, Lima, Peru. It joins the Malecón de Miraflores and crosses the Bajada Balta.

History

In 1966 the construction of the Villena Rey Bridge began and after a year it was inaugurated by Fernando Belaúnde Terry, president of Peru at that time. The name was given in homage to Eduardo Villena Rey, mayor of Miraflores during the years 1934-1937 and 1938-1939.[1]

The bridge became infamous for its suicides, being a popular spot worldwide for people to take their lives.[2] In 2014, the bridge was reportedly the seventh most popular place of its type, leading to the installation of protective windows to prevent more deaths.[3]

This bridge was illuminated in the year 2021 in homage to the Bicentennial of the Independence of Peru. At night it lights up in white and red colors as in the flag of Peru and can be seen from afar. This illumination can be clearly seen from the city in contrast to the darkness of the sea behind, despite the side protection that prevents suicides.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "La construcción del mítico puente Villena en 1966". Peru.com. 2016-02-05. Archived from the original on 2017-04-11.
  2. ^ "Puente Villena: ¿cuál es la terrorífica historia detrás de esta construcción miraflorina?". La República. 2022-10-01.
  3. ^ "Puente Villena: uno de los siete lugares donde se cometen más suicidios". Publimetro. 2014-05-28.
  4. ^ "Icónico Puente Villena de Miraflores se ilumina de blanco y rojo". Municipalidad de Miraflores. 2021-07-28.

12°07′39″S 77°02′09″W / 12.1275°S 77.0357°W / -12.1275; -77.0357