Ponte Coperto Bridge

The Pavese area, with its rice fields and poplar woods, offers incredible scenery to visitors who cross through on their way to Pavia, a city with plenty of historic charm and thousands of years of traditions dating from Roman times to the modern day.  

The artistic and architectural beauties here include the famous Certosa di Pavia, the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore and the Visconti Castle, and of course, everyone’s itinerary needs to include the Ponte Coperto or “Covered Bridge”. This fascinating structure and feat of engineering is over 200 metres long. It features five arches set out along its whole length, and is covered by a truss roof supported on columns.

The bridge was heavily damaged by bombing in World War II, after which time it was rebuilt. It is the best place to enjoy the flowing waters and admire the views of the city behind it, with its silhouettes of towers and domes. It crosses the River Ticino, which brings the cool air from the Alpine valleys of Switzerland into the large heart of the Po Valley, and it represents one of the main reasons for Pavia’s prestige, connecting the city centre with the enchanting Borgo Ticino.
The Ponte Coperto is a perfect place for a sunset walk, but when it is shrouded in the mystical aura of the mists, an ancient legend re-emerges. It is said that the bridge was first built by the Devil, providing he received the first soul to cross the bridge in exchange. With the aid of Archangel Gabriel, the plan was foiled and the splendid architectural structure remains a symbol of hope and faith. 

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