1000 year old Bridge, Legends and Matilda

Ponte Maddalena also known in legend as "The Devil's Bridge" is a spectacular stone bridge

in the style of "schiena di asino", or "donkey-backed bridge" Referring to a steeply arched shape resembling a donkey's back. It is attributed to the Countess, Matilda di Canossa, built in the 11th Century.

Matilda was a powerful woman of the middle ages who ruled over an area which included the countryside comprising today's Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Lombardy. She was a fuedal noblewoman who controlled and managed frontier territory with military/medieval knights. She was known as an expert horseback rider, trained in martial warfare and even had her own armour. She is attributed with bridge building across many regions so that her knights were better able to cross rivers on horseback.

The Legend of the Devil's Bridge:

Legend has it that the Master Architect of the project struggled with the construction design of the bridge, so much so that he made a pact with the devil. In return for the secret to designing an indestructible bridge capable of spanning the Serchio River, the devil required the life of the first soul who crossed it. Not to be outsmarted by the devil, the architects sent a dog over the bridge instead of a human, infuriating the devil.

Come paint with us as we experience the awe and majesty of this Historical architectural marvel and the stunning reflections it brings.