There are bridges in the world that stretch for miles, towering over rivers and connecting countries across huge distances. But tucked away in a quiet corner of southern Europe is one bridge that does the complete opposite. Hidden between oak and chestnut trees in a peaceful rural setting, this tiny crossing goes mostly unnoticed by travellers. Locals walk across it as part of their daily routine, unaware they’re stepping into a different time zone and, technically, a different country.
You won’t find any passport booths, long queues or toll barriers here. In fact, crossing from one country to another only takes a few seconds – and just a few steps. This small bridge is known as El Marco, and it links the Spanish village of the same name, located in Extremadura, with Várzea Grande in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Measuring just 19ft (6 metres) long and 4.7ft (1.45 metres) wide, it’s believed to be the shortest international bridge in the world.
But it doesn’t just connect two countries – it also connects two different time zones.
Spain follows Central European Time, while Portugal operates on Greenwich Mean Time.
So depending on which direction you’re walking, you could technically travel an hour into the future or past in a matter of seconds.
The tiny bridge crosses the Abrilongo stream, which marks the official border between Spain and Portugal.
For decades, villagers built makeshift crossings using planks and wooden boards, which often got swept away during heavy rains.
It wasn’t until 2008 that the current footbridge was built with the help of European Union funding.
Although it’s not much to look at, El Marco carries a lot of history. Before Spain and Portugal joined the Schengen Zone, border checks were in place and the stream became a popular route for smugglers, who traded olives, coffee, wine and knives between the two villages.
Today, the bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists only, with simple stone signs marking the border.
Before the El Marco International Bridge claimed the title, the world’s smallest international bridge was thought to be the bridge on Zavikon Island, linking two tiny islands between Canada and the US.
However, that bridge is over three times longer than El Marco International Bridge.
