Despeñaperros Pass
| Despeñaperros Pass | |
|---|---|
| Spanish: Paso de Despeñaperros | |
Former part of the road and the current Madrid-Cádiz railway line | |
| Elevation | 663 m (2,175 ft) |
| Length | 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) |
| Traversed by | E-5 A-4
N-IV Alcázar de San Juan–Cádiz railway |
| Location | Santa Elena, Andalusia - Venta de Cárdenas, Castilla-La Mancha |
| Range | Sierra Morena |
| Coordinates | 38°23′10″N 3°30′25″W / 38.38611°N 3.50694°W |
The Despeñaperros Pass has been a strategic location for transport between Andalusia and the Spanish Meseta (central plateau of Spain) throughout history. Both by road and rail, this pass has been crucial in facilitating the transit of people and goods between the two regions. With the rugged geography of the Pass, full of canyons and gorges, the landscape has spurred the creation of impressive engineering works in the history of transport in Spain, such as bridges and tunnels. These works facilitated the economic and social growth of the region. Today, the Despeñaperros Pass continues to be a vital artery for vehicle and train traffic.
The chronological evolution of the Pass can be summarized as follows: Iturbide's attempt to create the road and its completion by Lemaur; the road's adaptation to the CNFE; the successive improvements to the N-IV road; the doubling of the roadway in the 1980s and finally, the opening of the new A-4 highway.
The railway line has maintained the same track (except for minor fixes) since it was built.