Ponte della Maddalena: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Ponte_della_Maddalena.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ponte della Maddalena across the Serchio.]] |
[[Image:Ponte_della_Maddalena.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ponte della Maddalena across the Serchio.]] |
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'''Ponte della Maddalena''' (Italian: "Bridge of Mary Magdalene", also known as ''Ponte del Diavolo'', the "Bridge of the Devil") is a bridge which crosses the [[Serchio]] river near the village of [[Borgo a Mozzano]] in the [[Italy|Italian]] [[province of Lucca]]. It was a vital river crossing on the [[Via Francigena]], an ancient road to [[Rome]] for those coming from [[France]] and an important [[medieval]] [[pilgrimage]] route. |
'''Ponte della Maddalena''' (Italian: "Bridge of Mary Magdalene", also known as ''Ponte del Diavolo'', the "Bridge of the Devil") is a bridge which crosses the [[Serchio]] river near the village of [[Borgo a Mozzano]] in the [[Italy|Italian]] [[province of Lucca]]<ref>http://www.brueckenweb.de/datenbank/bruecken/brueckenblatt.php?bas=107</ref><ref>{{Structurae|id=s0019531|title=Maddalena Bridge}}</ref>. It was a vital river crossing on the [[Via Francigena]], an ancient road to [[Rome]] for those coming from [[France]] and an important [[medieval]] [[pilgrimage]] route. |
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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 bridge is also described in a of 14th century novel by [[Giovanni Sercambi]]. |
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 of 14th century novel by [[Giovanni Sercambi]]. |
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Circa 1500 it took on the name of ''Ponte della Maddalena'', from an [[Oratorio]] dedicated to [[Mary Magdalene]] whose statue stood at the foot of the bridge on the eastern bank. |
Circa 1500 it took on the name of ''Ponte della Maddalena'', from an [[Oratorio]] dedicated to [[Mary Magdalene]] whose statue stood at the foot of the bridge on the eastern bank. |
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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. |
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. |
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See also: [[Trezzo Bridge|Other larger medieval bridges]] |
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{{commons|Borgo_a_Mozzano|Borgo a Mozzano}} |
{{commons|Borgo_a_Mozzano|Borgo a Mozzano}} |
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[[Category:Bridges in Italy|Maddalena]] |
[[Category:Bridges in Italy|Maddalena]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tuscany|Ponte della Maddalena]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tuscany|Ponte della Maddalena]] |
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[[Category:Deck arch bridges]] |
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Revision as of 10:10, 7 June 2008
Ponte della Maddalena (Italian: "Bridge of Mary Magdalene", also known as Ponte del Diavolo, the "Bridge of the Devil") is a bridge which crosses the Serchio river near the village of Borgo a Mozzano in the Italian province of Lucca[1][2]. It was a vital river crossing on the Via Francigena, an ancient road to Rome for those coming from France and 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 of 14th century novel by Giovanni Sercambi.
Circa 1500 it took on the name of Ponte della Maddalena, from an Oratorio 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.
See also: Other larger medieval bridges
