In Italy bridges have assumed a tragic import since the collapse of part of Genoa’s Morandi Bridge in which over forty persons lost their lives. Italy, however, is the genesis of modern bridge building. The country abounds with some of the most ancient structures in the world. Roman bridges still stand after two thousand years and our mountains have timeless ancient packhorse bridges.
As for technological innovation I’ve already mentioned the amazing suspension bridge near Mammiano in my recent post at https://longoio3.com/2018/09/12/suspense-in-val-di-lima/ . An older suspension bridge is the stupendously elegant Ponte delle Catene bridging the Lima and two comuni, Bagni di Lucca at Fornoli and Borgo a Mozzano at Chiffenti.
Designed by Lorenzo Nottolini and inspired by his journey to England where he studied the structure of London’s Hammersmith Bridge (by William Tierney Clark, reconstructed by Joseph Bazalgette)
and Bristol’s Clifton suspension bridge (Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
the Ponte delle Catene was built in the 1840’s. Each side of the bridge is prefaced by imposing Roman-like triumphal arches and also has a terrace which serves as a centre for social gatherings.
On Saturday 15th of September two important events took place at this bridge.
First was the inauguration of a defibrillator on the Chiffenti side of the bridge. (It’s now becoming increasingly difficult to perish of a cardiac arrest in our area. You may remember my post on the defibrillator inaugurated at San Cassiano thanks to the efforts of Paul Anthony Davies at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/living-more-safely-at-san-cassiano/)
Second was the inauguration of explanatory signage describing the history and importance of the bridge. These are located on each side of the bridge: at Chiffenti:
And at Fornoli:
After the inauguration and the speeches of the mayors and all those concerned with the two new features of the bridge there was the customary spread.
It was a beautiful day weather-wise, for Nottolini’s masterpiece and for our health welfare. Well done all those concerned. Where there’s a will there certainly is a way and one across a bridge that will stand for at least another few hundred years!
Great news regards the defibrillator as more and more people are made aware of this important potentially life saving machine, the problem remains though to be in the right place at the right time if in need! Last year I wrote a paragraph or so on this amazing Ponte delle Catene and Nottolini the architect on Trip Advisor. It is surely an amazing piece of engineering on the door step of and for many budding architects. So glad that after all these years just recognition has been given to Nottolini by a plaque both in English and Italian on either side of the bridge so that future generations of local inhabitants visitors and tourists alike may admire and acknowledge this great masterpiece of complex architectural and feat of magnificent engineering that unites UK to Italy a united Europe in splendid historical mode mood an open air museum gem. Better late than never.
Thanks for your appreciative comment.
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