This Wednesday 12th October it’s a holiday in Spain.
The day Colombus discovered America and also the day in which the virgin appeared on top of a pillar – el día del Pilar, my Saint’s day!
So, many people will take Monday and Tuesday off to, thus creating a “bridge” between Sunday and Wednesday, during which they can take time off.
The “puentes” (literally, bridges) are those periods of time when a festive day during the week allows for other days to be taken off.
Happy bridge to all of those in Spain!
Virtual flowers for all those called Pilar.
The A to Z of Spanish Culture 
Well, Well, some people do it longer! like an a aqueduct
Like the aqueduct in Segovia!
Soon the “puentes” might become a thing of the past. Mariano Rajoy, the new Spanish president will abolish the very Spanish tradition of “puentes” and move holidays to Mondays (very much like the English “bank holidays”)… I weep already.
If you speak Spanish, see this article
http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2011/12/19/se-acabaron-los-puentes-las-fiestas-se-trasladan-al-lunes-mas-cercano-89583/
Thanks for helping to keep this blog up to date and relevant, Montse!
Rajoy also mentions his intentions of bringing women’s salaries in line with men’s – if only that were as easy as moving a holiday to a Monday!
Spain without its “puentes” will be strange…