Vecchio bridge, Railway viaduct in Venaco, France
Vecchio Bridge is a railway viaduct crossing the Vecchio River between Vivario and Venaco using a three-section metal span. Two sturdy pillars support the entire structure and carry trains across the valley below.
Built in 1789, this structure demonstrates late 18th century metal engineering expertise. It gained official protection as a Monument Historique in 1976 for its architectural and technical importance.
The bridge links two communities and remains an important reference point in daily life for those traveling between Vivario and Venaco.
The bridge is best viewed from the valley below or from the train itself, as it sits high above the river. You can approach it by road from either Vivario or Venaco, though the structure itself carries only rail traffic.
The bridge features hollow abutments that form double arches, a clever way to reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining strength. This engineering choice made the metal framework more efficient and easier to build.
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