The history and legend of the Devil’s Bridge in the province of Lucca: how did it get its name?

The Ponte della Maddalena, known as the Devil’s Bridge, is located in Tuscany. It has a long history and some unique construction features, and its name is linked to a legend.

Here’s where the Devil’s Bridge is located, how it got its name and its history.

Where is the Devil’s Bridge and how did it get its name?

As mentioned, the Ponte della Maddalena is located in Tuscany, in the province of Lucca: it is in the town of Borgo a Mozzano and crosses the river Serchio.

It was built in the 11th century and, even though the construction techniques used at the time were not the same as today, this bridge can be considered a work of advanced engineering. It is 95 metres long and has 4 (later 5) asymmetrical spans, one of which is higher and very thin, resting on more solid sides.

Precisely because of the difficulty in constructing it, a legend spread that attributed its construction to the devil, hence its name.

The story goes that the builder in charge was behind schedule and invoked the devil for help. The devil promised to complete the bridge himself in a single night, but in exchange he would take the soul of the first living creature to cross it.

When the work was finished, the builder came up with a plan to save his soul: he made a dog cross the bridge, which the devil, before disappearing, threw into the river in a rage at having been tricked.

What is the story of the Devil’s Bridge?

The bridge was built around the year 1000, when Matilda of Canossa, who ruled these lands, commissioned a bridge to be built to connect the two banks of the river Serchio.

The bridge was built to allow merchants and pilgrims to reach Lucca and the Via Francigena, which connected Northern Europe with Rome.

Initially the bridge was of a different design and acquired its four arches in the 14th century: it was the then lord of Lucca and military leader Castruccio Castracani who had a second construction built.

It was only in the 16th century that it took the name of Ponte della Maddalena, after an oratory built on the banks of the river.

In order to preserve its structural integrity and avoid collapse, in the 17th century the Republic of Lucca prohibited the passage of heavy vehicles and objects, such as millstones.

In more recent times the only modification made to the structure has been the addition of a fifth arch to allow the passage of the Lucca-Aulla railway line.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

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Curiosities

Travel

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