It is no coincidence that this imposing 131-meter-long stone structure is called Ponte Vecchio (the Old Bridge), since it was built seven centuries ago, between 1336 and 1338.
Its real name is Ponte Azzone Visconti, after the Lord of Milan who had it erected at this point to join the two banks of the Adda River, the only river flowing from Lake Como.
You should know that before power passed into Azzone's hands, his grandfather Matteo I Visconti had razed Lecco to the ground, but his grandson decided to turn it into a fortified settlement by building a city wall, a castle and the bridge you are now admiring.
Initially there were 8 arches, then it was decided to widen the riverbed, as the bottleneck of the lake caused frequent flooding at this point, and between 1349 and 1354 two more bays were added. It was only in 1440, under the rule of the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza, that the last arch was built.
These continuous reworkings are still notable today due to the fact that all the bays are of very different sizes.
Originally, there were two small fortresses with drawbridges at the two entrances to the bridge and a toll was paid to enter Lecco. Today, unfortunately, nothing remains of this defensive structure.
As you cross it, you can see the ancient and picturesque village of Pescarenico, which started out as a fishing village, and Visconti Island.
This small island was probably created by depositing the materials excavated from both sides of the river when its bed was widened and was used as a fortification for a long period.
The dwelling you see on the islet, with a rectangular plan and a two-story turret, dates back to the 18th century.
I bid you farewell with an interesting fact: Matteo I Visconti had Lecco razed to the ground in 1296 and issued a law prohibiting its reconstruction. He certainly could not have imagined that it was thanks to his nephew Azzone and his bridge that Lecco would later become a flourishing town.
Language: English