El Puente de la Risa ( The laughter Bridge) is perhaps the only architectural testament to the vision that Tomás Maestre had conceived for the end of La Manga - a small residencial Venice. This summer mini-Venice, designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Bonet i Castellana, was to set itself apart form its italian counterpart in one aspect: it would also have road access.

The asphalt arteries outlined in the project were as numerous as they are today, but nonetheless, the construction of an access bridge was deemed necessary to cross the Gola del Charco (one of the natural channels cutting through La Manga). And thus, the Laughter Bridge was born.

Very little is known about its peculiar shape, and it's uncertain whether it was originally baptized and known by another name in its early years. What is known is that it was built in 1978, imitaitng the style of bridges in the Italian city.

The architect-designed structure, with an arch that surpassed the semicircle and almost became ogival, resulted in such a pronounced camber that crossing it by car generates that sensation of emptiness in the stomach that amuses many.