Pont du Diable, Hérault, Medieval stone bridge in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, France
Description
The Pont du Diable is a medieval stone bridge spanning the Hérault River with two main arches and two smaller supporting arches. The structure stretches about 65 meters long and rises approximately 16 meters above the water level.
History
Benedictine monks built this bridge in the 11th century to link the abbey of Aniane with the Gellone Abbey at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. A major modification took place in 1770 when workers raised its height while preserving the original medieval structure.
Culture
The bridge forms part of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in France and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries, travelers have crossed here on their spiritual journey.
Practical
A modern separate bridge now carries vehicle traffic, allowing visitors to walk freely across the historic span without roadway dangers. From here you can also spot a nearby aqueduct that channels water to the local vineyards.
Did you know?
The bridge's name referring to the Devil likely stems not from evil but from the construction difficulties faced when building over such challenging terrain. In medieval times, locals often gave devilish names to engineering projects that seemed technically daunting.
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