Behold, the Devil’s Bridge
Thu, Aug 28, 2008
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Having been adequately convinced since childhood that the devil was safely locked away in the cracks of the footpath – or wherever – imagine our shock and horror when we discovered the horny beast has been hiding out in Italy the whole time.
Yes, it’s true… well, kind of. A Tuscan legend has it that during the construction of the Ponte del Diavolo, near Borgo a Mozzano, the sole stonemason building it was having a terrible time. He was convinced that he’d never be able to get the bridge finished by the set deadline, which would upset both the town’s folk and the local governor, not something highly recommended in medieval times as the consequences were often messy.
Being a man true to his word and distraught at the idea of not completing the bridge on time, the builder became anxious and despondent, until one day, while he was looking at the unfinished bridge wondering how he was going to complete it in time the devil appeared to him in the form of a respectable businessman – as he does. The builder’s new scheming friend offered to help complete the bridge overnight but, in exchange for his handiwork he demanded the soul of the first person to cross the bridge. Reluctantly, the desperate builder agreed.
Then, wracked with guilt for agreeing to such a thing, the master mason sought counsel of the local priest who, having insider knowledge of the devil’s wily ways, told the builder to send a pig across the bridge once it was finished. When this was done, the devil, outraged but defeated, hurled himself into the depths of the Serchio River beneath and hasn’t been seen in the area since. Phew!
Built around 1100AD, the Devil’s Bridge is also known as the Ponte della Maddalena, named after a statue of Mary Magdalene that once stood at the foot of the bridge; the figurine is now housed in the local parish.
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August 29th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
That’s an interesting yarn, but I must say - it’s a stunningly beautiful bridge! Especially in that top photo where the central arch almost forms a complete circle when reflected in the still waters of the river.
The steep angle of the bridge acutally reminds me of one of the bridges in the Summer Palace, Beijing. http://www.galenfrysinger.com/summer_palace_beijing_china.htm
Yes, a wonderful piece of architecture. It’s almost a pity the Devil can’t be involved in more urban landscaping! Though, somehow, I doubt he’d fall for the pig thing too often.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller ‘What if…?’
August 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Great and interesting story, obviously an urban legend of the time.