Melide causeway, Bridge and causeway in Melide, Switzerland
The Pont de Melide is a bridge and causeway that crosses Lake Lugano between Melide and Bissone in Switzerland. It carries a main road, a motorway, and a railway, and its structure includes a stretch of filled land and a section with arches that allows boats to pass.
The causeway was built between 1844 and 1847 under the direction of engineer Pasquale Lucchini, replacing a ferry service. A railway line was added in 1874, and in the 1960s the structure was enlarged to become part of the A2 motorway.
The bridge is a daily crossing point for people going to work or school between the two shores. On the Melide side, the small church of San Spirito recalls the old hospice that once welcomed pilgrims traveling to Rome.
You can cross the bridge by car, train, or on foot, but the walkway is narrow and close to traffic, so stay alert. The views over the lake are best from the sides, and you can combine the crossing with a visit to the nearby Swissminiatur park.
The bridge almost completely separates Lake Lugano into two basins, changing the water flow and the landscape. The small opening between the arches is still used by regular passenger boats, so you might see a boat passing through as you cross.
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