Description of the attraction
The Inca Bridge is a natural bridge located on the Mendoza River. Its height is 1719 m above sea level. It is located near the Argentine city of Mendoza. Scientists believe that the bridge could have arisen as a consequence of a sequence of rockfalls and avalanches. There are several legends of local residents that tell about the divine origin of the bridge.
There is a small village next to the Inca Bridge, where there is a permanent mountaineering museum "Museo del Andinista". The museum introduces tourists to the history of the nearby mountain Aconcagua. The Inca Bridge is the starting point for several climbing routes.
In colonial times, the Inca Bridge was used for ferrying; a transport road connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans passed through it.
It is noteworthy that there are several geothermal springs near the bridge. Each of them has its own name: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Champagne. The waters of the springs are rich in various sulphates and carbonates and are considered curative. In this regard, a hotel was built nearby in 1925. But in 1986 the resort, developed by that time, was swept away by an avalanche. Currently, there is a wasteland in its place. The only building that survived the avalanche is a small chapel from the colonial era.
Now the water from the springs is used to patina on all kinds of sculptural images that are considered folk crafts and are sold to tourists.
