The Devil’s Bridge: Ponte della Maddelena

At Borgo a Mozzano the fourteenth century Ponte del Diavolo - devil’s bridge - is also called The Ponte della Maddelena. It is the most beautiful thing along the Serchio River. When the surface of the water is unruffled the central arch and its reflection form a perfect ‘O’, the bridge arcing like a toreador’s hat, grey-white stone with clumps of flowers growing from the mortar. 

The legend is that it was such a difficult thing to build that they had to call in the devil to help. He agreed but claimed the first soul to cross it. The builder, San Giuliano, cunningly sent his dog across. I think a descendant runs the suede shop in the Via Fillungo…

From ‘Antipasto’ random samplings from various writings made over a few years of visits to a ‘New Zealander’s Italy’

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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