Borgo a Mozzano is a village in Italy, located in the Tuscany region, in the province of Lucca, on the banks of the Serchio River.
The main attraction is the medieval Ponte della Maddalena (Italian for “Magdalene Bridge”), also known as Ponte del Diavolo (Italian for “Devil’s Bridge”). Presumably, it was built at the end of the 11th century on one of the key crossings on the Route of the Franks, a pilgrim road along which the inhabitants of England and France followed to Rome.
The bridge is called “del Diavolo” for an ancient legend. The builder, unable to raise the main arch thus completing the work, implored the help of the Devil. These, granted his collaboration, in exchange for the first soul who had crossed the bridge. Thanks to the Devil, the bridge was built in just one night. But the builder cunningly sent a dog to run up the bridge. The devil by now deceived disappeared in the waters of the river Serchio contenting himself with the soul of a beast.
Access : Coordinates: 43.984989, 10.553444 / Borgo a Mozzano is located in the Serchio Valley in Garfagnana about 15 km north of the provincial capital Lucca and about 62 km northwest of the regional capital Florence.
Highlights :
- The Maddalena Bridge, also known as the Devil’s Bridge, which was built in the 11th century across the Serchio River and consists of three asymmetric arched spans (the fourth was added during the construction of a railway line.
- The 95 m long bridge spans the river with a main arch of 37.8 meters span and three smaller arches. From the east bank of the Serchio, these have spans of 8.35 m, 10 m and 14.5 m. The main arch is 18.5 m high, the smaller arches have heights of 4 m, 5 m and 7 m. On the west side of the main arch there is the passage for the railway line. The bridge, which is only 3.7 m wide, follows the height of the arches and gives the bridge its characteristic appearance thanks to the very high main arch.
Activities : Scenic Driving- Auto Touring / sightseeing / Photography, Architecture Photography / trekking.
Go next : Despite the size of the town, there are enough attractions in Borgo a Mozzano / Bagni di Lucca , an Italian town in the province of Lucca in Tuscany.
