One of the bridges over the Scoltenna, named after the sculptures which adorn it.
Going back up the Scoltenna, after passing by Olina Bridge, the next bridge you come to is the “Ponte dei Leoni” or Lion Bridge at Strettara (Montecreto).
This bridge, which is 117 metres in length, stands near the Strettara hydroelectric plant; there is a modern bridge next to it, which is open to motor traffic.
The bridge’s name comes from the statues of four lions, two at either end of the bridge, which were placed there to protect it.
The statues which stand on the bridge today are exact reproductions of the original ones, which are now on display in the museum “The House of the Stone Lions” in Montecreto.
The origins of the bridge are very old: there are records of an early structure dating back to the 15th century, in the form of a wooden structure which was later destroyed in 1567 and again in 1679.
The bridge was rebuilt in stone at the beginning of the 18th century (1715) and, in more recent times, was closed in 1988 to be replaced with the new Strettara Bridge.
In 2004 it was restored and reopened. It is 117 metres long and has three solid sandstone arches, parapets with safety handrails (added after the last restoration, in keeping with the previous design), a paved road surface and, to either side, the four copies of the stone lions that stood on guard in ancient times.
