Principle Lapio's Bridge (Ponte Principe di Lapio)

An iron bridge inaugurated in 1893 is a true masterpiece.

Designed by engineer Sangiorgi, who at the time was battling patents and legal action with the famous Gustave Eiffel to claim paternity over iron-working techniques for large works, it allowed the isolated inland villages of the province of Avellino to be reached by rail, bypassing the complicated orography of the Irpinian hills.

Although Sangiorgi realised numerous steel works, the Principe di Lapio Bridge is one of the very few still existing (almost all the others suffered irreversible damage during the bombings of the World Wars or were replaced by more modern works).

It was considered an exceptional work that constituted the triumph of progress. In fact, the entire viaduct is about 300 metres long and the truss rests on two arches so that each span is about 98 metres. The valley below is about 35 metres. Because of its magnificence, it was called the 'Prince's Bridge'. The testing of the bridge took place on 20 September 1893 amid the general enthusiasm of the population of Lapio and the neighbouring villages, who flocked to the occasion.

Tip: at the time this card was written, the railway was disused, and therefore without rail traffic. This made it possible to climb up to the top of the bridge to take some breathtaking photos. If you intend to do this, make sure that the railway is still in disuse before you climb onto the bridge!