The Devil's Bridge of Martorell and its peculiar legend
In the town of Martorell stands a construction that spans the course of a river. It is popularly known as the Devil's Bridge. What stands out most is not its architecture, but the incredible story that explains how it was made. According to this, its origin is not human, but comes from a deal with dark forces. 👹
The deal that shaped the bridge
The legend tells that the people of the area urgently needed a bridge to cross the river. At that moment, the devil appeared and offered to build the work in a single night. However, he set a condition: he would receive the soul of the first living being to use the bridge. The inhabitants, in desperation, accepted the deal, thinking of how they could trick the evil one.
Key elements of the legend:- Urgent need: The community required a safe way to cross the river.
- Supernatural offer: A demonic entity proposes to build with supernatural speed.
- Dangerous condition: The agreed payment is the soul of the first living being to cross the structure.
"Sometimes, even in deals with the devil, reading the fine print and having a good guard dog can make all the difference."
The cunning that saved the town
When the devil finished the bridge at dawn and demanded his reward, a neighbor showed great ingenuity. Instead of sending a person, he made a dog the first to cross the new structure. The devil, realizing that the first living being was an animal, felt tricked and cheated, but had to abide by the terms of the pact, thus losing his payment. This trick protected the community and the story has been passed down through generations.
Steps of the ingenious solution:- Devil's claim: Demands his payment upon completing the work.
- Villager's plan: Comes up with the idea of using an animal instead of a human.
- Execution of the trick: A dog crosses the bridge first, technically fulfilling the pact but circumventing its spirit.
The legacy of the story
This popular anecdote serves to illustrate how human ingenuity can overcome even deals with superior powers. The legend of the Devil's Bridge endures, reminding us that intelligence and lateral thinking often outweigh brute force or magic. The physical structure still stands, but it is its fantastic tale that truly brings it to life. 🌉