Although the preserved bridge dates from the 15th century, there is evidence that in Roman times there was a bridge that was destroyed around 827-828 and then rebuilt by Abderramán II in 839. The one that has been preserved from 1440 is about 225 metres long over seven arches (one of which has been buried by the Paseo Echegaray). With spans ranging from 14 to 32 metres, the arches are supported by pillars of unequal width, with cutwaters to divert the water.

A flood in 1643 destroyed two of the central arches of the bridge, a circumstance that is documented in the View of Zaragoza painted in 1647 by Martínez del Mazo. It was the section where two turrets of medieval origin stood. The bridge was repaired in 1659, including the two towers, by Felipe de Busignac, master builder of Zaragoza, who also modified the cutwaters and spurs of the bridge, widening them. The stone used to build the bridge was brought from the Pope's quarry on the Burrén mountain, between the villages of Fréscano and Bisimbre. The bridge was originally flanked by towers that were demolished in 1906.

It was remodelled several times in the 20th century; in 1991, four bronze lions were added, the work of the sculptor Francisco Rallo Lahoz, and lighting was installed on the posts of which medallions were placed with the profile of the lions themselves.

This monumental complex, which at a national level was a great step forward, as from the mid-15th century the bridge guaranteed communications in the north-eastern quadrant of the peninsula, has become one of the distinctive elements of the city of Zaragoza.