Roman Bridge

Roman Bridge, Torcello, Venice

Roman Bridge

Torcello is one of the original settlements in the Venetian lagoon. With it’s roman influenced architecture and infrastructure it is very different from Venice proper or it’s more famous island neighbors of Murano and Burano. Torcello is mainly farmland; it has a quiet charm that many tourists miss.

Walking from the boat landing to the church in the interior of the island you walk along the quay of a canal. A simple and elegant bridge crosses the canal for the farm-hands to access the land on the opposite side. Why it’s named Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) remains a mystery but still the Roman design was stunning to me. Attesting to the strength and endurance of keystone arches that were the signature of Roman architecture.

I enjoy the metaphor that this bridge represents to me, that true strength and endurance can be fine and elegant.