To build roads through mountains and across streams, the Inca had to build lots of bridges. Like the roads, these bridges are marvels of engineering. A bridge built over the Apurimac (/ahpuhree*mahk/) River in Peru is a fine example. It was built over a steep river gorge in 1350. It was a suspension bridge, held together by heavy strands of rope. The ropes were replaced every two years. This amazing bridge was in service from 1350 until 1890! For more than five hundred years, the bridge was maintained and used by the Inca.

It was then used by the Spanish and finally by the people of Peru. It is one of the greatest achievements of the Inca engineers. It gained wider fame when it was featured in the classic novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by American writer Thornton Wilder.