Ponte della Maddalena
Ponte della Maddalena, The bridge of Saint Maddalena, (also known as Ponte del Diavolo the Bridge of the Devil) crosses the Serchio river near the village of Borgo a Mozzano in the 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.
The bridge is a remarkable example of medieval engineering, probably commissioned by the Countess Matilde di Canossa, was renovated at a later date under the direction of Castruccio Castracani. The bridge is described in a of XIV century novel by Giovanni Sercambi.
Circa 1500 it took on the name of 'Ponte della Maddalena', from an Oratorio dedicated to Saint Maddalena 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 (cepi) 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 1900's in order to make room for the surfaced roadway an additional arch was added to the right hand section, considerably altering the original 'design'.