Devil's Bridge
Ancient bridges linked to Devil-related myths across Europe.
Across Europe, dozens of old stone or masonry arch bridges share the name "Devil's Bridge." These structures were remarkable engineering feats for their time, and their unusual designs made them sources of wonder and legend in ancient and medieval times.
Each Devil's Bridge typically comes with its own local myth about the devil. The stories vary by region. In some, the devil himself built the bridge, because only he could have created something so precarious or seemingly impossible. In others, the devil gave humans the knowledge to build such bridges as part of a bargain, often in exchange for their souls.
The legends are so common that folklorists classify them as a distinct tale type (Aarne-Thompson number 1191). Some stories overlap with related categories, such as "Deceiving the Devil" (AT 1196), "The Devil's Contract" (AT 756B), and "The Master Builder" tales.
In one version, the bridge builder and the devil are enemies. This reflects the heroic effort required to complete bridges like the Teufelsbrücke at St. Gotthard Pass, built under such harsh conditions that their success became legendary.
Another common version features an old woman or a simple herder who makes a pact with the devil. The devil agrees to build the bridge overnight in exchange for the first soul to cross it. But the human outwits him—for example, by throwing bread to lure a dog across first. The devil, enraged, disappears into the water, and the community lives in peace.
At the Steinerne Brücke in Regensburg, the devil helped in a race between the bridge builders and the cathedral builders (though the cathedral was built much later). A bump in the middle of the bridge is said to come from the devil leaping in fury when he was tricked out of his reward.
In Hamburg, the name Teufelsbrück refers to a street and area, not a bridge with a widely-known rabbit legend. The rabbit-crossing story is instead associated with other Devil's Bridge tales, such as the one at the Ponte della Maddalena in Borgo a Mozzano, where a local saint (often Saint Julian) makes the pact. On delivery day, the saint sets fire to a dog or pig, which crosses the bridge and fools the devil.
A thirteenth-century legend from Sens tells of an architect who sold his soul but later repented.
- Field
- Architecture and Folklore
- Known for
- Ancient stone or masonry arch bridges associated with Devil-related myths
- Region
- Primarily Europe, with examples in the Americas and Asia
- Type
- Architectural structure and folktale category
Lore & Background
Each of the Devil's bridges typically has a corresponding Devil-related myth or folktale regarding its origin. These stories vary widely depending on the region and beliefs. Some have the Devil as the builder of the bridge, relating to the precariousness or impossibility of such a bridge to last or exist in the first place, so much so that only the Devil himself could have built it. Others have the knowledge to build such bridges given to mankind as a gift from the Devil as part of a deal, pact or bargain between the Devil and local populace, usually in exchange for their souls.
The bridges that fall into the Devil's Bridge category are so numerous that the legends about them form a special category in the Aarne-Thompson (AT) classification system for folktales (Number 1191). Some legends have elements of related folktale-categories, for example Deceiving the Devil (AT #1196), The Devil's Contract (AT #756B), and The Master Builder legends. One version of the tale presents the bridge builder and the Devil as adversaries, reflecting the fact that these bridges were built under such challenging conditions that successful completion required a heroic effort.
Other versions of the legend feature an old lady or a simple herder who makes a pact with the Devil. In this version the devil agrees to build the bridge, in return receiving the first soul to cross it. After building the bridge (often overnight) the devil is outwitted by his adversary (for example, by throwing bread to lure a dog over the bridge first) and is last seen descending into the water, bringing peace to the community.
Reader's Guide
Devil's Bridge structures are significant as both architectural achievements and cultural artifacts. Most are stone or masonry arch bridges that represent a significant technological achievement in ancient architecture. Their unusual design made them objects of fascination in antiquity and medieval Europe, leading to a rich body of folklore. The legends form a special category in the Aarne-Thompson classification system (Number 1191), with variations including Deceiving the Devil and The Devil's Contract. These stories often reflect the heroic effort required to build bridges under challenging conditions, such as the Teufelsbrücke at the St Gotthard Pass. The bridges are remarkable for technological hurdles surpassed, aesthetic grace, or economic and strategic importance to their communities. Examples span Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with 49 Devil's Bridges in France alone. The legends persist in local traditions, such as the Steinerne Brücke in Regensburg and Teufelsbrück in Hamburg, where the devil is outwitted by a rabbit or a dog.
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