On the outskirts of the village of Cardona, you’ll find the Bridge of the Devil - or Pont del Diable, in Catalan. This incomplete bridge dates back to the 15th century, though some records suggest it is of Roman origin. The bridge was built as part of the Camí de Sant Jaume, a road that pilgrims used to reach key religious sites such as the Monestir de Montserrat, the Basilica of Pilar of Saragossa, and Santiago de Compostela.
Yet, despite its historical significance, this bridge is incomplete - a tale of ambition and misfortune. Architecturally, the bridge consists of two arches of varying width and height, each resting on rocks of the riverbed, forming an obtuse angle. It is built using square stones arranged in horizontal rows and bound with lime mortar.
The first written record of the bridge dates back to 28 October 1424. Construction was initiated because the river Cardener represented a dangerous crossing for pilgrims on their way to the aforementioned destinations. The bridge helped improve the links between the agricultural plain of the Coromina and Cardona. After the Pont del Diable, the Pont de Sant Joan was built in Cardona.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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