Ponte Coperto: The legend of Pavia's historic bridge

A local legend describes the mythical origins of the Ponte Coperto in Pavia. According to the tale, on Christmas Eve in the year 999, a mysterious man in a red cloak appeared during a heavy fog to help citizens cross the river when the old Roman bridge had collapsed.

The figure, identified in the legend as the Devil, offered to create a bridge of thick fog that would eventually turn into solid stone. However, he demanded the first soul to cross the bridge as payment. The legend concludes with the intervention of the Archangel Michael to resolve the pact.