The View Down Devil's Bridge in Borgo A Mozzano Italy
by Joan Carroll
Title
The View Down Devil's Bridge in Borgo A Mozzano Italy
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Photography And Digital Art
Description
Photos of the Devil’s Bridge outside Borgao a Mozzano in Italy look incredibly romantic. Seen from the river level, it’s a very high gracefully arched bridge. Depending on your level of fitness, it’s either still romantic or it’s lost its romantic luster when you reach the top! It’s still a great view, either up and down the river, or down the steps to the other side. Having seen more than one Devil’s Bridge, I was only somewhat surprised to find that there are dozens of them in Europe (among them 49 in France alone 11 in Italy, 5 in Germany), each associated with its own folklore. One theme is that In medieval times some Roman roads were themselves considered beyond human capabilities and needs, and therefore had to have been built by the devil. Other versions of the legend feature an old lady or a simple herder who makes a pact with the Devil. In this version the devil agrees to build the bridge, and in return he will receive the first soul to cross it. After building the bridge (often overnight) the devil is outwitted by his adversary, for example by throwing bread to lure a dog over the bridge first, and is last seen descending into the water, bringing peace to the community. Such is the case for this bridge. According to local legend for this bridge, the bridge was built by Saint Julian who was unable to complete the hard project and asked the Devil for help. In return he offered him the soul of the first living being who crossed the finished bridge (with that skeleton in his closet, I’m wondering how he ever got to be a saint?!). Once the bridge was finished, Saint Julian threw a piece of bread onto the bridge, luring a dog to cross it, and cheating the Devil. Another version has Saint Julian set fire to a dog or a pig that crosses the bridge and deceives the devil. Seriously?! What one had to do to be a saint…
FEATURED PHOTO, Arts Fantastic World group, 4/3/19
joan carroll, arch, serchio, river, architecture, devil, tuscany, medieval, crossing, building, water, ponte del diavolo
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Uploaded
April 3rd, 2019
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Viewed 2,061 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/18/2024 at 3:26 AM
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