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Ponte Gobbo – Sanctuary of Saint Augustine loop from Bobbio

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Ponte Gobbo – Sanctuary of Saint Augustine loop from Bobbio

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Ponte Gobbo – Sanctuary of Saint Augustine loop from Bobbio

03:02

28.9km

1,080m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

Last updated: April 24, 2026

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Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 854 m for 417 m

After 19.6 km for 271 m

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218 m

Ponte Gobbo (Devil's Bridge), Bobbio

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The Ponte Gobbo in Bobbio, also known as the "Devil's Bridge", is a medieval structure 273 meters long with 11 irregular arches, located on the Trebbia River. Legend has it that the Devil built it in one night in exchange for the soul of the first passerby, who was then tricked by Saint Columbanus, who made an animal cross first.

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604 m

Ponte Gobbo

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Hunchback Bridge or Devil's Bridge
In the Middle Ages, the construction of a bridge was considered a miraculous feat. For this reason, the construction of such structures gave rise to many legends, often involving the devil: joining two places that God had wanted separated was seen by many as a "diabolical" work.
According to an ancient legend, Saint Columbanus, a 7th-century Irish monk, was eager to bring the word of God to the people living on the other bank of the Trebbia River, near the town of Bobbio. The devil promised to build the bridge in a single night, in exchange for the first mortal soul to cross it. The saint accepted. That night, the devil summoned several little devils who assisted him in the construction work, holding up the bridge's arches. The demons were of different heights, and thus the various arches of the bridge were of varying sizes.
In the morning, the devil stationed himself at the end of the bridge to demand his payment. But Saint Columbanus outwitted him by having his poor, suffering and very sick dog (some say it was a bear) cross the bridge instead of a man. The enraged devil returned to hell, but not before kicking his handiwork, which has been crooked ever since. It is said that the footprints of the unfortunate animal that served as a guinea pig still remain in the crypt of the Church of Saint Columbanus.
The Hunchback Bridge, also known as the Ponte Vecchio or, more precisely, the Devil's Bridge, is a Roman structure that has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries. The structure above dates back to the 7th century, but traces of an older bridge, dating back to before Columbanus' arrival, have been found underneath. The bridge, characterized by its undulating shape, irregular arches, and relatively narrow carriageway, is 280 meters long and connects the two banks of the river through a complicated succession of 11 irregular spans, varying in span and height, creating an undulating path from one end to the other. The Bobbio Bridge, now used only as a pedestrian crossing, is the very symbol of the city of San Colombano, as well as one of the strangest and most original architectural structures in Italy.

Source: Emilia-Romagna Region

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1.06 km

Ponte Gobbo (Devil's Bridge) of Bobbio

Highlight • Bridge

The Gobbo bridge, also known as the Old Bridge or Devil's Bridge, is an ancient bridge characterized by an irregular profile that crosses the Trebbia river. With a length of 273 meters, this bridge was called the Gobbo bridge due to its eleven unequal arches, placed at different heights. Although the exact date of construction is not known, it is assumed that the bridge dates back to Roman times, probably built after the Roman conquest of the Ligurian-Celtic settlement that stood in that area.

An ancient legend is linked to the construction of the bridge: it is said that the devil contacted San Colombano, offering to build the bridge in a single night, in exchange for the first mortal soul to cross it. The saint accepted the offer. During the night, the devil called some little devils who helped him build the bridge, supporting the vaults with their own strength. These demons varied in height, which led to the creation of differently sized arches in the bridge. At dawn, the devil showed up at the end of the bridge to collect his "reward". Saint Columbanus sent a little dog to the devil as payment. Deceived, the devil returned to hell, but not before kicking his creation, causing the tilt that gives the bridge its characteristic "hunchback" appearance.

Translated by Google •

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