Ponte delle Catene, the chain suspension bridge that connects Fornoli and Chifenti is now a pedestrian bridge. It was commissioned by Carlo Ludovico in 1840 after the original stone bridge dating from 1317 was washed away in a flood.
Here are some old photos.
Lorenzo Nottolini was the architect. He erected arches reminiscent of Roman Triumphal arches on either side of the river. The wooden roadway was destroyed by retreating Germans in WWII. It was replaced in 1950.
This is a photo of the bridge during the reconstruction. (Thank you to Alessandro for the correction)
Today the bridge is still impressive.
There are excellent views to be had from the bridge.
…just another of the treasures in Bagni di Lucca.
If only there were photos in the 14th century!
Yes, it would have been interesting.
A very impressive bridge indeed. Fortunately only the roadway was destroyed and not the arches.
That was lucky you indeed.
Those old photos are wonderful. (And so are the recent ones!)
I love to see old photos of the area and see the changes.
It is a beautiful bridge, but then, Notolini was a great architect. In Lucca he has a street, near the railway station, dedicated to his memory. And his family home can be seen in the old part of town.
I love his aqueduct outside the walls of Lucca.
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It’s important to note there was a gap of over thirty years between the completion of the stone portals and the suspension of the chains. This fact is noted in an inscription on the portals.
I wonder why.