My first stop in the town of Cividale del Friuli is the Ponte del Diavolo or the Devil’s Bridge. The bridge dates back to the fifteenth century and it traverses the Natisone Rvier which runs past the town. Certainly a beautiful bridge like the Ponte del Diavolo wouldn’t deserve a name like that? Apparently, it is a common name given to bridge where it appeared to be impossible to build. It is said that they must have made a deal with the devil to be able to build the bridge. Why would be impossible to build in the first place? A look around the bridge area and you can see that the bridge is actually quite high above the water. Back then, it was difficult to build a bridge like that, so it is said you will need help from the devil to do it. Devil or not, this is certainly a marvel of engineering worth visiting.

At one end of the bridge, there is a small gate where visitors can make their way down to the water. The Natisone River isn’t much to look at right now because there isn’t a lot of water because it was winter when a lot of the source of the river’s water starts freezing. It is a shame that I can’t see the river in its full glory since based on the photos that I have seen online, it has a striking turquoise color when sunlight hits it. Because the water level is low, I can go down to the banks of the river and look at the bridge from there. There isn’t much to see here except that you can better appreciate why they needed the devil’s help to build the bridge. It certainly is that high up.

[xmlgm {https://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/PontedelDiavolo.kmz} zoom=19]