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Located in the northern region of Portugal, on the border separating Montalegre and Vieira do Minho, stands an ancient bridge rumored to have been constructed by the Devil. Spanning the picturesque Rabagão River in the midst of the verdant Gerês mountain range, the Misarela Bridge is a mystical destination that should not be overlooked.
Dive into the captivating tale behind the origins of this mysterious structure and discover the supernatural scares experienced by its visitors to this day.
The building is believed to have originated during the Medieval era, evident through its traditional architectural style. The ancient structure sits harmoniously within a lush environment abundant with thick greenery.
According to the legend, there was a feared bandit who tried to escape capture in a remote mountain range. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by his pursuers and had no way out. Desperate, he tried to cross the powerful Rabagão River but ended up trapped on the steep cliffs that surrounded it.
The night was extremely cold and stormy. The bandit, devoid of faith in God, desperately summoned the Devil, conjuring him precisely at midnight.
Satan appeared promptly, asking what the bandit wanted. The bandit explained that he needed help crossing the treacherous canyon of the raging river and quickly offered his soul in return.
The agreement was established under the condition that the bandit would progress straight ahead without looking back. Without delay, the Devil summoned a strong bridge over the turbulent waters.
The bandit quickly crossed the bridge, avoiding looking back. If he had, he would have seen the bridge vanish, trapping his pursuers on the opposite side.
After many years, the criminal wrongdoer neared his demise. He felt compelled to atone for his past actions, deeply regretting his agreement with the Devil and longing for a final chance to redeem his soul.
He searched for a righteous priest who served a parish in Montalegre, a nearby municipality in northern Portugal. Was there anyone capable of saving his soul?
Disguised as a farmer, the priest set off on a nocturnal expedition towards the mountains and Rabagão River. Following the bandit's example, at midnight, he conjured the Devil and bargained his soul for a bridge.
As the stone bridge became visible above the turbulent currents, the priest quickly took a bottle of holy water from beneath his cape. He then sprinkled it with a twig of heather while reciting the words of the exorcism ritual. The Devil let out a scream and vanished, leaving behind a thick, pungent vapor that smelled of fish and sulfur.
However, the stone bridge remained after the incident. As a result, the "Devil's Bridge" has stayed intact, displaying its majestic and charming presence on the Rabagão riverbanks. Moreover, it is said to possess sacred properties!
According to popular belief, women facing fertility issues or anticipating a challenging birth should visit the midpoint the a bridge's arch at night, accompanied by their family. They are advised to bring a rope and a glass, and patiently wait for a solution to their predicament.
They must wait there for someone, anyone, to step onto the bridge. This person will then become the godfather or godmother of the unborn child.
According to some sources, there is a tradition where the newly-appointed godparent lowers a glass into the river using a rope, collects water, and proceeds to rub it over the woman's belly. While doing so, they recite a prayer that declares the child should be named Gervásio if it's a boy, or Senhorinha if it's a girl.
The trip to Misarela should be repeated until the proper conditions are met. According to legend, any unborn babies that are baptized there won't die, making it a potentially worthwhile endeavor.
For many centuries now, there have been accounts of gatherings held by numerous individuals named Gervásio and Senhorinha. These gatherings are a celebration of the aforementioned legend, which is believed to have played a vital role in preserving their lives.
French soldiers in the early 19th century escaped from British and Portuguese troops, taking the same route as the bandit from the legend.
According to another tale, there is a large rock on one side of the bridge known as the "Devil's Pulpit." It is believed that Satan uses this spot to preach to gatherings of witches at midnight.
Centuries later, the bridge is still admired for its impressive construction, firmly placed upon the robust granite walls of the riverbanks. Visitors can feel sure-footed crossing the bridge, until the Devil takes it away again...
See also: The gate of hell is real (and we'll show you where it is)
The history and mystery of the Devil's Bridge
A passage from ancient times said to be built by Satan himself
TRAVEL Curiosity
Located in the northern region of Portugal, on the border separating Montalegre and Vieira do Minho, stands an ancient bridge rumored to have been constructed by the Devil. Spanning the picturesque Rabagão River in the midst of the verdant Gerês mountain range, the Misarela Bridge is a mystical destination that should not be overlooked.
Dive into the captivating tale behind the origins of this mysterious structure and discover the supernatural scares experienced by its visitors to this day.