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Pont du Diable (Céret)
Encyclopedia
The Pont du Diable or Pont Vieux (Old bridge) is a medieval stone arch bridge
at Céret
, France
, built between 1321 and 1341. Spanning the river Tech
with an imposing single arch of 45.45 m span length, the Pont du Diable featured at the time of its construction the world's largest bridge arch.
The apex of the Pont du Diable at its highest point above ground is 22.3 m. The bridge was partly modified in the 18th century.
s in France.
Other very large medieval bridges
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
at Céret
Céret
Céret is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It is the capital of Vallespir historical Catalan comarca.-Geography:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, built between 1321 and 1341. Spanning the river Tech
Tech River
The Tech is a river in southern France, very close to the French-Spanish border. It runs through a valley in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the former Roussillon, and is 84 km long. Its source is the Parcigoule Valley and it feeds the Mediterranean Sea...
with an imposing single arch of 45.45 m span length, the Pont du Diable featured at the time of its construction the world's largest bridge arch.
The apex of the Pont du Diable at its highest point above ground is 22.3 m. The bridge was partly modified in the 18th century.
Legend
The locals wished a bridge to be built across the river and called the devil to build it for them. He agreed on the condition that he would claim the first soul to cross it. The bridge built, the locals sent a cat across first for the devil to claim. But then for many years no person would cross, just in case - A legend common to many devil's bridgeDevil's Bridge
Devil’s Bridge is a term applied to dozens of ancient bridges, found primarily in Europe. Most of these bridges are stone or masonry arch bridges and represent a significant technological achievement...
s in France.
See also
Other very large medieval bridges
- Puente del Diablo (Martorell)Puente del Diablo (Martorell)The Pont del Diable is a medieval bridge crossing the river Llobregat in Martorell-Castellbisbal, Catalonia, Spain. The present bridge, featuring a large pointed arch, was constructed in 1283 on Roman foundations. The main clear span is an impressive 37.3 m with a stone chapel on top. A...
(37.3 m span) - Ponte della MaddalenaPonte della MaddalenaPonte della Maddalena is a bridge crossing the Serchio river near the town of Borgo a Mozzano in the Italian province of Lucca...
(37.8 m span) - Puente de San Martín (Toledo)Puente de San Martín (Toledo)The Puente de San Martín is a medieval bridge across the river Tagus in Toledo, Spain. The bridge was constructed in the late 14th century by archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the older Puente de Alcántara linking to the east...
(40 m span) - Nyons BridgeNyons BridgeThe Nyons Bridge is a medieval bridge over the river Eygues in Nyons in southern France.The bridge was completed in 1407. It features a single span of 40.53 m, quite large for the standards of the day.- See also :*List of medieval bridges in France...
(40.53 m span) - Castelvecchio BridgeCastelvecchio BridgeThe Castelvecchio Bridge or Scaliger Bridge is a fortified bridge in Verona, northern Italy, over the Adige River...
(48.7 m span) - Pont Grand (Tournon-sur-Rhône)Pont Grand (Tournon-sur-Rhône)The Pont Grand is a stone bridge connecting Tournon-sur-Rhône to Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, in Ardèche, France, built between 1379 and 1583. The bridge features a single, semi-circular arch over the river Doux with a span of 49.20 m...
(49.2 m span) - Pont de Vieille-BrioudePont de Vieille-BrioudePont de Vieille-Brioude is located in France, crossing Allier River. It is a masonry arch bridge with a span of that was built in 1832....
(54.2 m span) - Trezzo sull'Adda BridgeTrezzo sull'Adda BridgeThe Trezzo sull'Adda Bridge or Trezzo Bridge was a medieval bridge at Trezzo sull'Adda in Lombardy, Italy, spanning the Adda river. Completed in 1377, the single arch bridge held the record for the largest span for over four hundred years, until the beginnings of the Industrial Age, while it was...
(72 m span)