Italy has inaugurated the highest pedestrian suspension bridge in Europe between the medieval village of Sellano and the hamlet of Montesanto, halfway between the cities of Foligno and Spoleto.
Inaugurated on 23 March, just before Easter weekend holidays, the 1.5 million project was funded thorough the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. According to Dellano Mayor Attilio Gubbiotti, it is part of a plan to “revitalise the area and lower the risk of depopulation” after Eastern Umbria, where the bridge is located, was at the core of a 6.2 earthquake that devastated central Italy in 2016.
“The bridge is a virtuous example of investment to revitalize this region also on the tourism front”, Regional Councillor for Umbria Tourism, Paola Agabiti said at the inauguration. “This community, despite having been put to the test by the 2016 earthquake, has demonstrated a great attachment to the region and citizens and businesses have continued to live and invest in the place where they were born and where they reside, demonstrating strong resilience.”
Not only is the Tibetan style bridge suspended 175 metres above the Vigi River valley, but it is made of separated paving slats, called discontinuous treads, thus requiring extra attention every step of the way. The 517.5-metre-long bridge totals at 1,023 steps and takes between 30 and 45 minutes to cross, according to Visit Sellano.
To get across, visitors are strapped in harness to ensure their safety if, by chance, they miss one of the steps. Also for safety reasons, people under 120 cm tall are not allowed to cross. The bridge is only one way, from Sellano to Montesanto, but from the hamlet visitors can return to Sellano on foot, via two paths taking about 30 minutes, or wander around to discover more of Umbria.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the on-site info booth, however, choosing the online option is recommended, as only 90 people are allowed to cross the bridge per hour. Visitors pass through a turnstile equipped with a scanner reader that allows entry and counts the people going on and coming off the bridge to respect the hourly capacity.
During the crossing, at the height of each portal, the steps close to allow brief stops to admire the surrounding landscape and to take photos and selfies. All movable items that can potentially fall should be secured and/or placed in buttoned, zipped or backpack pockets. Adequate shoes are also needed.
