Ancient Bridges of Greece
Greek bridges are not among the longest in the world or the most technologically advanced. The true pride of the country lies in its ancient stone structures. They are hundreds of years old, partially overgrown with bushes, and their stones are covered with moss… It seems that such bridges exist only in fairy tales.
Bridge of Arta
In the northwest of Greece, 370 km from Athens, lies the city of Arta — the center of the Epirus region. The city is picturesque and large. One of its main attractions is the ancient bridge over the Arachthos River. It is said to have been built in the early 17th century! The arched beauty is located at the entrance to Arta.
Kalogeriko Bridge
Three-arched, stone, mystical... Built in 1814, the author is unknown. The bridge rises in the northwest of Greece, in Zagori — not a city, but a whole region consisting of 45 villages. A landmark for travelers is the village of Kipoi.
Bridge in the Pindus Mountains
Another stone structure with a centuries-old history. Local shepherds still use the bridge to transport goats to pastures with lush grass. Tourists exploring the Pindus Mountains will definitely not miss it. The bridge is located on the outskirts of the village of Konitsa, in the Aoos Gorge.
Bridge in the town of Karitaina
From beneath the huge new bridge, the old one can be seen. It is of interest because it was built many centuries ago. The length of the crossing is 50 m. Nearby is another attraction: the Church of the Virgin Mary in Byzantine style. The town is easy to find, as Karitaina is the capital of the very central region of the Peloponnese.
Ancient Bridges of Italy
Italy has ancient structures that are cautiously referred to by the people as ponti del Diavolo, or devil's bridges. These bridges, built in hard-to-reach places, among steep cliffs and over sheer drops, are true marvels of engineering, genuine masterpieces, sometimes so skillfully made that their very existence suggests that dark forces must have intervened.
Ponte di Mastro Checco (Ponte di Cecco) — the Bridge of the Blind Master in the town of Ascoli sul Castellano (Marche region). According to legend, the bridge was built by the devil in just one night at the request of Cecco d’Ascoli, a local poet and astrologer. In reality, the bridge, built in 1349, was the work of the medieval master Cecco Aprutino.
Ponte della Maddalena — the Bridge of Magdalene over the Serchio River near the town of Borgo a Mozzano in the province of Lucca, built in the 11th century, is a true masterpiece. According to legend, using modern terminology, the chief foreman was behind schedule and, in despair, made a pact with the devil, promising him the soul of the first being to cross the bridge in exchange for help in its construction. When the bridge was finished, the frightened foreman rushed to confess to a priest, and the latter suggested sending a dog across the bridge first, which the angry Devil then threw off the bridge into the river.
Ponte di Tiberio (ponte di Augusto e Tiberio) — the Bridge of Augustus and Tiberius, a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture in the modern resort city of Rimini and another example of a "devil's bridge" due to a hoofprint resembling goat hooves on one of the balustrades.
Ponte sul Ticino — the bridge over the Ticino, an airy, stunningly beautiful granite bridge with 7 arches, is said to have been built by none other than the Devil, who decided to outdo himself by making this bridge covered. But in reality, the bridge in Pavia was built around the mid-14th century by flesh-and-blood people.
Ponte dei Saraceni (ponte Vecchio) — the Saracen Bridge is located near the town of Marineo (Palermo) and connects the two banks of the Eleutherus River. It is said that it was built in one night by devils to help the Saracens in their battle against Christians.
Ponte di Roc — near Lanzo (Turin) is the "cliff" bridge, which is better known by the name of its builder, who was outsmarted by a hermit in the distant 1378.
Ponte Cividale del Friuli — the bridge over the Natisone River, a symbol of the town of Cividale del Friuli, was built by the devil in one night in exchange for a soul, which, according to tradition, he never received. An enormous boulder is noticeable on the central pillar: according to legend, it was brought by the Devil's mother in her apron to help her son with his difficult task.
Ponte Gobbo (ponte Vecchio) — the "Hunchback" asymmetrical bridge over the Trebbia River in the town of Bobbio (Piacenza). According to legend, the tempter himself suggested to Saint Columbanus to build the bridge in exchange for the soul of the first living being to cross it. The saint was not taken aback and agreed: Satan summoned little devils to help, and the bridge was ready in one night. But since all the little devils were of different heights, the bridge turned out crooked. As usual, the saint outsmarted the tempter by sending a dog across the bridge first: the Devil kicked the bridge in anger and departed. So, the bridge has a little bump since then…
Ponte del Diavolo — at the bridge of this name on the island of Torcello (Venice), there are no parapets: according to legend, every time they built parapets and railings, the new structure immediately collapsed.