My photos are a bit conventional. But they don't show "any" bridge: it's the Devil's bridge! One of the best known old bridges in my area. It dates back to the 11th century.
You can read the legend about this bridge here. I wil try to find the time to translate it tonight.
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I found the code was already stripped off the site this morning. I don't know why.
RépondreSupprimerAnyway, I like your bridge and it is certainly the oldest I have seen so far.
16 Ghosts on Bridge?
Pont de bois de pieree on trouve de tout aujourd'hui.
RépondreSupprimerMarie pour mettre les liens je t'envoie un mail.
love it
RépondreSupprimerI think those are great bridge shots Marie, nothing conventional about them. And oh what magnificent old bridges!
RépondreSupprimerVery scenic monumental and historical bridge.
RépondreSupprimerBeautiful bridges Marie - 11th Century. 1,000 years ago - enduring to say the least!
RépondreSupprimerOK Marie...you have the best bridge so far...!! Love it! What age and character!! Nice :)
RépondreSupprimerWonderful photographs of a truly amazing bridge. I like the second photo best - fabulous! this is an amazing photo of perhaps the oldest bridge we see today. Great.
RépondreSupprimerI've seen a lot of lovely bridges today, but yours is my favorite so far. There's something very special about this bridge. Beautiful choice for today's theme. Have a nice weekend!
RépondreSupprimerreminds me of the one in Wales
RépondreSupprimerMassive, sturdy, strong, and a real beauty!!
RépondreSupprimerA stunning photo! Wherever you stood it was perfect!
RépondreSupprimerjoy
Norwich Daily Photo
The Goddess In You
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Very ancient bridge for sure. Those are very interesting bridge.
RépondreSupprimerThis bridge is fascinating. What a fantastic view with the second shot!
RépondreSupprimerThey knew how to build bridges in those days - majestic and stunning!!!
RépondreSupprimerGreat shots of a fascinating bridge! :)
RépondreSupprimerMichelle
http://arlingtondailyphoto.com/photoblog
this is just great, the angle and the sense of history, very cool.
RépondreSupprimerI reckon that the devil came up with a great bridge, Marie. You should send him to Australia !!
RépondreSupprimerL'année prochaine, à ce moment, vous devez venir en Australie. Les vents sont chauds, et la douche pend de l'arbre. Au moins, l'un d'entre eux peut être trouvé dans un arbre, en dehors de la maison ! !
(Le commentaire précédent, je crois, étais celui de Madame.)
I guess convention is in the eye of the beholder--these don't look conventional to me--they are quite stunning and lovely. I love them!
RépondreSupprimerThe bridge controlled access to the abbeys, I learned from the site you referenced. And the legend of the monks outwitting the devil who fell off the bridge and disappeared - that is an engaging tale.
RépondreSupprimerAh ah, super, Annie !
RépondreSupprimerThank you very much for your comments.
Ce commentaire a été supprimé par l'auteur.
RépondreSupprimerHere's my translation of the legend:
RépondreSupprimerThe legend of the Devil's Bridge of St. Guilhem of the Desert
(The same legend is told of all the Devil's Bridges.)
===================================
Once upon a time the monasteries of Aniane and Gellone got together to build this bridge. Aniane provided the stones, wood, mortar, iron, and lead. Gellone furnished the architect. It was agreed that no house should be build at either end, and no rent or toll should be levied for the crossing. Any fish taken between Aniane and Clamouse were to be be shared equally between the two monsteries.
The devil, concealing his malevolence, offered to build a good solid bridge on condition that he could take the soul of the very first person to cross. When the bridge was built, Master Satan sat himself on the parapet and awaited his victim. The local people arranged for the first crosser to be an old dog with a kitchen utensil attached to its tail. In the legends of the north, it's a stewpot -- in the Midi, it's an old sartan (frying pan).
The people then urged the devil to take his payment. His rage at the trick meant nothing, for they had made sure to have holy water and a sprinkler on hand. The furious devil then set about destroying his own work -- but he had built the bridge so well that he could not break it, not even by hurling huge boulders from the top of the mountain.
The clergy then took over the bridge and blessed it. The evil one departed without recompense for his labour, and had to seek out better victims than a mangy old dog.
For comparison, here's the version on the "Discover Hérault" web site:
RépondreSupprimerConstruction of the bridge was extremely difficult, as can easily be imagined, and it inherited a legend from which it takes its name.
Each night the devil destroyed the work that had been accomplished that day, but eventually came to an agreement with St. Guilhem. He agreed to cease his mischief, and even help the monks with the difficult work, if he could take the soul of the first creature to pass over the finished bridge. Once the bridge was finished, the monks sent a dog with a frying pan attached to its tail running over the bridge. The enraged devil tried to destroy the bridge, but ended up by falling into the waters of the Hérault and being swept away.
Nice bridge shot for theme day, so unique. I’ve enjoyed browsing through your recent posts, too. Thanks for visiting my blog.
RépondreSupprimeril est tres beau ce vieux pont et j'adore son nom
RépondreSupprimerGreat bridges! Beautiful photos!
RépondreSupprimerI am slow making the bridge rounds this time as I was not home much this weekend...I am sorry you couldn't see my bridge but yours is very nice! I like the stone bridges. It would seem to me they would be harder to make but what do I know?
RépondreSupprimerThank you very much for your comments. A special thank to Expat for his interesting translation. Super!
RépondreSupprimerBut...but...what happened to the dog?
RépondreSupprimerIsabella, let's say the devil didn't want his soul, so he arrived safely on the other bank.
RépondreSupprimerWay cool!
RépondreSupprimerGreat! I had been there in 2000. Thank you very much. I love this bridge.
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