Ponte della Maddalena
Encyclopedia
Ponte della Maddalena is a bridge crossing the Serchio
river near the town of Borgo a Mozzano
in the Italian
province of Lucca
. One of numerous medieval bridges known as Ponte del Diavolo, the "Bridge of the Devil", it was a vital river crossing on the Via Francigena
, an early medieval road to Rome
for those coming from France
that was an important medieval pilgrimage
route.
The bridge is a remarkable example of medieval engineering, probably commissioned by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany
circa 1080-1100. It was renovated circa 1300 under the direction of Castruccio Castracani
. The largest span is 37.8 m. The bridge is also described in a 14th century novella by Giovanni Sercambi
of Lucca.
Circa 1500 it took on the name of Ponte della Maddalena, from an oratory dedicated to Mary Magdalene
, whose statue stood at the foot of the bridge on the eastern bank.
In 1670 the General Council of the Republic of Lucca
issued a decree prohibiting passage over the bridge with millstones (ceppi) and sacks of flour in order to preserve the structure.
In 1836, after being badly damaged during a flood, the bridge underwent urgent repair work. In the early 1900s in order to make room for the surfaced roadway an additional arch was added to the right hand section, considerably altering the original design.
Serchio
At 126 kilometres the Serchio is the third longest river in the Italian region of Tuscany, coming after the Arno and the Ombrone...
river near the town of Borgo a Mozzano
Borgo a Mozzano
Borgo a Mozzano is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, in northern Tuscany .-Main sights:Borgo a Mozzano is dominated by the presence of Ponte della Maddalena also called "del Diavolo" . The Devil's Bridge is located on the SP2 one kilometer north of downtown...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
province of Lucca
Province of Lucca
The Province of Lucca is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Lucca.It has an area of 1,773 km², and a total population of 372,244...
. One of numerous medieval bridges known as Ponte del Diavolo, the "Bridge of the Devil", it was a vital river crossing on the Via Francigena
Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is an ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, passing through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. In mediaeval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route...
, an early medieval road to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
for those coming from 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...
that was an important medieval pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
route.
The bridge is a remarkable example of medieval engineering, probably commissioned by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany
Matilda of Tuscany
Matilda of Tuscany was an Italian noblewoman, the principal Italian supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. She is one of the few medieval women to be remembered for her military accomplishments...
circa 1080-1100. It was renovated circa 1300 under the direction of Castruccio Castracani
Castruccio Castracani
Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli was an Italian condottiero and duke of Lucca.-Biography:Castruccio was born in Lucca, a member of the noble family of Antelminelli, of the Ghibelline party. In 1300 he was exiled with his parents and others of their faction by the Guelphs "Black" party,...
. The largest span is 37.8 m. The bridge is also described in a 14th century novella by Giovanni Sercambi
Giovanni Sercambi
Giovanni Sercambi was an Italian author from Lucca who wrote a history of his city, Le croniche di Luccha, as well as Il novelliere , a collection of 155 tales....
of Lucca.
Circa 1500 it took on the name of Ponte della Maddalena, from an oratory dedicated to Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
, whose statue stood at the foot of the bridge on the eastern bank.
In 1670 the General Council of the Republic of Lucca
Republic of Lucca
The Republic of Lucca was an ancient State of Tuscany which lasted from 1160 to 1805.After the death of Matilda of Tuscany, the city of Lucca began to constitute itself an independent commune, with a charter in 1160. For almost 500 years, Lucca remained an independent republic...
issued a decree prohibiting passage over the bridge with millstones (ceppi) and sacks of flour in order to preserve the structure.
In 1836, after being badly damaged during a flood, the bridge underwent urgent repair work. In the early 1900s in order to make room for the surfaced roadway an additional arch was added to the right hand section, considerably altering the original design.
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) - 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) - Pont du Diable (Céret)Pont du Diable (Céret)The Pont du Diable or Pont Vieux 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...
(45.45 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)