In the collective imagination, since the dawn of time, bridges have fueled myths and legends. These structures, scattered throughout the country, represent a link with a distant past. On the other hand, the devil has always been associated with these buildings that overlook the rivers that were once navigable. We fly on Valle d'Aosta to turn on the spotlight on the "devil's bridge".
The Devil's Bridge
In the heart of the Aosta Valley - thus begins our journey into the legend - the famous devil's bridge resists the weather. The tolls of time are marked exclusively by the gentle rustle of the waters below. The Roman construction, presumably, dates back to around 120 BC. According to other historical evidence, obviously not ascertained, it could instead be placed in 24 BC, hypotheses not yet decoded. The arch of over 35 meters overlooks the river, and the extraordinary height of 25 meters creates one of the most important architectural works for our beautiful country.
The legend of the devil's bridge
The Devil's Bridge, or better known as Pont-Saint-Martin, drags an anecdote full of mystery from the past. Tradition, strongly rooted in the place, attributes its construction to the devil. The story involves San Martino, bishop of Tours, blocked, during a religious mission, by the strength of the Lys stream. A flood, according to the reconstructions, shortly before the passage of the bishop, would have destroyed the only path on the river, stopping the mission of the religious.
The pact with the devil
The devil, according to this fascinating story, proposed his help to the bishop. In fact, he decided to build the bridge for the religious, in a single night of work with a sort of demonic pact: the construction in exchange for the soul of the first victim who would cross the structure. San Martino accepted the devil's request, but he made sure that the first to cross the path on the river was not a person, but a dog. The devil hit hard by this clever operation disappeared forever from the place.
The soul of the little dog
A piece of bread at the base of this stratagem elaborated by San Martino. The bishop, in order not to sacrifice a person's soul, planned a real plan of action, so as to save the little dog of course. Satan, derided by the strong faith of San Martino, after having unleashed thunderbolts and fire, completely abandoned these hidden places in the Aosta Valley. The structure, now built, allowed the many inhabitants of the mountain to have a safe road to be able to pass through the valleys.
The legend today of the devil's bridge
This evocative tale relives every year in the Pont-Saint-Martin carnival. The celebrations, which evoke history, with real theatrical actors, end with a large fire, right under the main arch of the bridge. The legend of the devil's bridge is the prime example of how a story mixes with reality. This extraordinary heritage, for the whole beautiful country, represents the lifeblood of our culture.
Photo: Facebook page "Pont Saint Martin"
