Pont del Diable

Pont del Diable, also known as Pont Trencat ("Broken Bridge"), is an unfinished medieval bridge over the Cardener River near Cardona, in Catalonia's Bages region. Its abrupt, unfinished shape and the legend attached to it make it a memorable stop for anyone exploring the countryside around a town better known for its castle and its Salt Mountain.

Why is it called the "Broken Bridge"?

Unlike a typical stone arch bridge that spans a river in one continuous line, the Pont del Diable simply stops halfway across the Cardener. Only the two central arches and the end abutments were ever built — the rest of the structure was never completed. The two surviving arches differ from each other in width and height, and both rest directly on natural rocks in the riverbed, which makes the bridge run at a slight, awkward angle rather than in a straight line. That broken, asymmetrical profile is visible from a distance and is exactly what gives the bridge its Catalan nickname, Pont Trencat.

When was it built, and why?

The bridge was raised in the first half of the 14th century to replace an older crossing near the nearby chapel of Sant Joan. The new bridge was designed to be taller and sturdier, better able to withstand the Cardener's floods, with a planned total of six arches. Construction, however, was never finished: only the two central arches and their abutments were completed, and the remaining spans were never built.

Why was it never completed?

There is no single, agreed explanation. Some accounts simply describe the works being abandoned; others point to a sudden flood on the Cardener that destroyed the unfinished section. The best-known version, recorded in the 19th century by writers Pau Piferrer and Francesc Pi i Margall, holds that the Dukes of Cardona built the bridge in order to charge tolls on travelers. Local residents are said to have been so angered by this that they tore down the incomplete section themselves, in protest, making toll collection impossible.

What legend surrounds the bridge?

A popular folk tale offers a very different explanation for the bridge's unfinished state. According to the story, the Devil and Saint John made a wager over who could build a crossing of the Cardener in a single night. Nearby stood the chapel of Sant Joan, an important stop at the crossroads of routes linking Solsona, Sant Llorenç de Morunys, Berga and Manresa with Cardona, Calaf and Torà — a place where many muleteers would stop to honor the saint. The Devil, resentful of this steady stream of pilgrims, decided to build his own bridge a little further downstream, offering travelers a shorter, easier route in order to lure them away from the saint's chapel. Saint John, helped by his angels, finished his own bridge first. Humiliated, the Devil abandoned his construction, leaving it permanently half-built — the same ruin still standing today.

What should visitors know before going?

The Pont del Diable lies along the Camí de Sant Jaume, the Catalan stretch of the Way of St. James that runs through the Bages region, making it a natural stop for hikers following the pilgrim route. The bridge was declared a Cultural Property of National Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional) in 1962, recognizing its historical and architectural value. A visit pairs naturally with Cardona itself, whose hilltop castle and the nearby Salt Mountain are among the most recognizable sights in this part of Catalonia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pont del Diable in Cardona the same bridge as the famous Pont del Diable over the Llobregat? No. They are two entirely different structures. "Pont del Diable" (Devil's Bridge) is a name shared by several bridges across Catalonia, including the much better-known one spanning the Llobregat River between Martorell and Castellbisbal. The Cardona bridge crosses the Cardener River and has its own separate history.

How old is the bridge in Cardona? It dates to the first half of the 14th century, built to replace an earlier crossing near the chapel of Sant Joan.

Why is the bridge unfinished? There is no definitive answer — possible explanations include abandoned construction work, destruction by a flood, or, according to legend, a protest by local residents against tolls imposed by the Dukes of Cardona.

Can visitors walk to the bridge? Yes, the bridge stands in the open countryside above the Cardener River and is a waypoint on walking routes around Cardona, including the Camí de Sant Jaume.