Do you dare cross the Devil's bridge?

[jw5]

Do you dare cross the Devil's bridge?​

An ancient passage built by Satan himself...

 

[jw5]

Its origin date is unknown​

The structure is estimated to date back to the Medieval period, particularly as it exhibits traditional Medieval architecture. Either way, it's framed perfectly amid a rich landscape of dense vegetation.

 

[jw5]

The legend goes..​

It's said that a terribly feared bandit once tried to escape justice in the remote mountains, but soon found himself surrounded by his pursuers. In a desperate attempt, he tried to flee over the torrential Rabagão river, but was trapped on the steep cliffs around it.

 

[jw5]

The wrong place at the right time​

The night was bitter cold and stormy, and the bandit, who no longer had faith in God, called upon the Devil, invoking him at exactly midnight.

 

[jw5]

A deal with the Devil​

Satan immediately appeared and asked him what he wanted. The bandit said he needed help to cross the frightening canyon of the raging river, and hastily promised his soul in return.

 

[jw5]

One condition​

The pact was made on the condition that the bandit should walk straight ahead, and never look back. Then the Devil drew out of thin air a stone bridge over the violent current.

 

[mako65]

Look like the concrete foundation was already there..

 

[jw5]

He did as he was told​

The bandit ran across the bridge as fast as he could, without looking back. If he had, he would have seen the bridge vanish into thin air before his pursuers could cross it.

 

[jw5]

But the story doesn't end there​

Years later, the tormented criminal was nearing his death and felt the need to repent for his past, regretting his deal with the Devil and hoping for one last shot at redeeming his soul.

 

[jw5]

He went to a priest​

He sought out a virtuous priest who had a parish in the lands of Montalegre, a nearby municipality in the north of Portugal. Could anyone rescue his lost soul?

 

[jw5]

The good priest liked a challenge​

Disguising himself as a farmer, the priest set off under the cover of night into the mountains and down to the Rabagão river. He did exactly what the bandit had previously done, calling upon the Devil at midnight and promising his soul in exchange for a bridge.

 

[jw5]

The evil bridge appeared​

As the stone bridge materialized over the raging currents, the priest swiftly took out a vase of holy water from under his cape, then sprinkled it with a twig of heather while reciting the ritual words of exorcism.

 

[jw5]

Satan retreated!​

The Devil screamed and the ominous black shape quickly disappeared, leaving the air full of an acrid, thick vapor smelling of fish and sulfur. But, in its wake, remained the stone bridge.

 

[jw5]

Good triumphed over evil​

Since then the "Devil's Bridge" has remained, majestic and picturesque, perched over the banks of the Rabagão. And it now allegedly has sacred properties!

 

[jw5]

Fertility blessings​

Legend has it that if a woman hasn't been able to conceive, or if she is pregnant but foresees a difficult or dangerous birth, she should go the middle of the bridge's arch with her family at night, with a rope and a glass, and wait.

 

[jw5]

The baby's new godparent!​

Everyone waits for the first person to cross the bridge, who then becomes the godfather or godmother of the child.

 

[jw5]

Commence the pre-birth baptism​

Some sources say that the new godparent is supposed to lower the glass down to the river using the rope to collect some water, then rub it over the woman's womb, reciting a prayer which proclaims that the child should be called Gervásio if it's a boy, or Senhorinha if it's a girl.

 

[jw5]

What if no one crosses the bridge?​

The trip to Misarela should be repeated until the proper conditions are met. Legend has it that all fetuses baptized there do not die, so it may be worth it.
Beginning hundreds of years ago, it's reported that several of the children bearing those specific names (Gervásio and Senhorinha) have regularly gathered to celebrate this legend, which may have saved their lives.

 

[jw5]

Many have used the bridge to flee since its construction​

In the early 19th century, French troops famously used the bridge to flee from British and Portuguese forces during the Peninsular War, running just as the bandit had.
The bridge is appraised for its excellent execution, set solidly on the granite walls of the banks.

 

[jw5]

The Devil is also in the details​

Another legend says that the huge rock rising from one side of the bridge is the "Devil's Pulpit," believed to be the place where Satan goes to preach at midnight to a council of witches.