The natural bridge of Ca l’Escanyolit is in the municipality of Collsuspina (Moianès), at the headwaters of the stream of L’Espina, which is also known as Santa Coloma, Fontscalents, andLa Fàbrega further downstream and, once larger, as stream of Marfà or Golarda. The natural bridge of Ca l’Escanyolit crosses the stream of L’Espina about 800 meters south or downstream from the large farmhouse of the same name.
Obviously, the natural bridge of Ca l’Escanyolit is a result from L’Espina stream erosion on the rock. The rock is grey, hard, and of marine origin from the Bartonian period, though it is not homogeneous. The circumstances at the sedimentation times resulted in a carbonate and sandy rock layer, and above it, a layer of nodular limestone coming from a coral reef. Over time, the stream has carved through the more compact and resistant nodular limestone and further deep, sculpting a roughly 8-meter-high step. In a funny twist of fate, the erosion of the harder limestone layer hasn’t been continuous. Instead, it has left behind a natural bridge 1 meter wide by 6 meters long and only 40-50 cm thick, a slender, elevated walkway made of the same rock. The stream flows and leaps across the chasm between the slopes and the bridge.
The hollow beneath the natural bridge of Ca L’Escanyolit is damp and cool. It provides habitat for some nemoral plants that are very rare in the district of Moianès and even more in that of Bages.
Unfortunately, a large oak tree that was growing on the right bank of the stream fell down landing on the bridge. Despite the barrier of the oak trunk, the bridge still can be crossed.
[photos Montserrat Porta and Jordi Badia]