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The Tiberius Bridge or The Devil Bridge - Rimini - Italy
The Bridge of Augustus and Tiberius, commonly known as the Tiberius Bridge in Rimini was built during the anciente Rome Era. Its construction began in 14 A.D. under the rule of Augustus and the end of the work took place in 21 A.D., under the rule of Tiberius. Today it is present in the emblem of the city.
Built in Istria stone as the Arc, it also incorporates understated and harmonious style of it. The structure consists of 5 round arches with blind aedicules between the imposts of the arches. The magnitude of these arches varies increasingly as we move towards the center, where there is the greatest arc.
From the bridge came two consular roads, Via Emilia who came to Piacenza and Via Popilia-Annia who went as far as Aquileia.
At the edge of the pavement,it has some stone slabs with inscriptions in Latin.
The presence of two notches resembling the imprint of goat feet on the upstream side of the railing post, helped to spread the legend of yet another "Devil's Bridge". More likely, they could be recesses for fixing of pulleys used to hoist materials from the boats that came up under the bridge. The legend that the Tiberius Bridge was the only bridge in the city crossing Marecchia river that during the Second World War, that the German armed forces were unable to break down despite repeated attempts, was later disproved, in fact its salvation is due to the good sense of a German officer who had the "good taste" not to explode mines, because it was useless at that point of the war, destroying a bridge than 2000 years old. Still, the bridge is part of the road network in the town, and is open to normal traffic, except for heavy vehicles.
The Legend
Started by Emperor Augustus in 14 A.D. , it was completed by his son Tiberius in 21d.C.
Since its last constructor, this wonderful example of Roman technique, got dressed and took the name of the legend that still accompanies his age-old stones.
Tiberius took seven years to finish the construction of the bridge of Ariminum, that his father started. During these years, it became very difficult to continue the work. The work proceeded very slowly because every time that they built a new piece of the bridge , it collapsed or was not good. Construction work seemed destined to never see the light and undermine the glory of the Emperor until , after his vain prayers to all the gods, he played the last card he had and interpellated the only supernatural being that could kill the cat. And it put it really.
Tiberius and invoked the devil, begging him to come to his aid, he drew up the following deal with the lord of darkness : the devil would build the bridge but in return he would take the soul of the first one that crossed it. The emperor had no choice but to accept and the devil set to work. The bridge was built in just one night; beautiful, solid and imposing, it stood there, waiting for one crossed it. It was the time of the inauguration and the official procession was ready for the parade when the emperor came to mind getting rid of the uncomfortable pact with the devil. Tiberius ordered that ,as propitiatory sign , a dog had to pass the new bridge, first of all. This was done and the devil, that was waiting for his soul on the other side of the bridge, remained high and dry. Satan, foaming with rage at having been so badly duped, instantly decided to take revenge and throw down the Tiberius bridge.
He angrily kicked several times on the stone he laid, but there was nothing to do. He had built it as indestructible and even him could not destroy it. So he had to go with ... empty-handed, but evidence of this episode are some goat fingerprint imprinted on one of the large stones placed at the beginning of the bridge on the side facing the city.
It is true that this Roman bridge has earned the reputation of being indestructible standing up for almost twenty centuries, enduring all this time the comings and goings of city traffic and fulfilling "without batting an eyelid" to his daily duties. Many throughout history tried to damage or to shoot it down,but they weren't able to do it. Even the the Second World War furious bombing, but they could not scratch it.
Is that really the devil's work?*Attention please* - - "This translation (and / or content) is made by Sylvhia exclusively for "I Nove Mondi Forum". In case of partial or full release is mandatory to link to the original source and the required credits".
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_di_Tiberio
http://reminplazahotel.wordpress.com/leggende/
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The Tiberius Bridge or The Devil Bridge - Rimini - Italy01 Agosto 2014 |
