Pont du Diable (Céret)

The Pont du Diable (English: "Devil's bridge") or Pont Vieux (English: "Old bridge") is a medieval stone arch bridge at Céret, France, built between 1321 and 1341. Spanning the river Tech with an imposing single arch of 45.45 m span length, the "Pont du Diable" featured at the time of its construction the world's largest bridge arch.

The apex of the "Pont du Diable" at its highest point above ground is 22.3 m. The bridge was partly modified in the 18th century.

The story of the Pont du Diable is as follows. The locals wished a bridge to be built across the river and called the devil to build it for them. He agreed on the condition that he would claim the first soul to cross it. The bridge built, the locals sent a cat across first for the devil to claim. But then for many years no person would cross, just in case - A legend common to many devil's bridges in France.

Gallery

References

See also

Other very large medieval bridges
* Puente del Diablo (Martorell) (37.3 m span)
* Puente de San Martín (Toledo) (40 m span)
* Castelvecchio Bridge (48.70 m span)
* Pont Grand (Tournon-sur-Rhône) (49.20 m span)
* Trezzo sull'Adda Bridge (72 m span)

External links

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* [http://www.brueckenweb.de/datenbank/bruecken/brueckenblatt.php?bas=7272 Pont du Diable at brueckenweb.de] (German)