Opened in August 1966, the bridge has an overall length of 2 278m and has the longest central span in Europe: 1 013m. It is 70m over the waters of the Tagus and is suspended from two pylons, 190m high; the foundations of the southern pile go 80m below the water (a world record) into the basalt rock. From the bridge there is an excellent view over the town looking from south to north.