Gather some courage and get ready to cross the Tibetan bridge longest in the world. There is no need to cross national borders, because this record belongs to Italy. All you need to do is go to Dossena, in Lombardy, where you can find the Bridge of the Sun. Below you will find all the information on this splendid adventure and, in addition, some interesting details on the ancient village that hosts the bridge, full of history to discover.
The longest Tibetan bridge in the world
Let's go into some details and explain what awaits the daredevils who decide to experience this experience. The Ponte del Sole it measures 505 meters and has a maximum height of 120 meters. It has a discontinuous tread and does not have side tie rods. Connect the center of Dossena with the roccolo of the white horn. Under the feet of the adventurers, however, there is the gypsum quarry.
The view is undoubtedly entrancing. It is possible to admire, walking with caution, the Orobic Prealps, stopping to scrutinize the peaks of the Arera, Alben, La Grigna and Gioco, until you turn your gaze to the San Pellegrino valley floor. The Ponte del Sole was designed by the engineer Francesco Belmondo. The project involves seven steel ropes and is absolutely safe. But try to tell your stomach while you are there that the fear is basically unjustified. In this way, the ancient and lost Via Mercatorum is recovered, in this case by air.
Visit Dossena
Experiencing the Ponte del Sole, or the longest Tibetan bridge in the world, also means trying your hand at discovering the village of Dossena. This is located about 35 km from Bergamo and is the iron capital of the Brembana Valley. In this area it was historically one of the first inhabited centers. Its name derives from the Latin Dorsum, which stands for hill or mountain. Its metal deposits were discovered in ancient times, considering how the area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, thanks to the nearby mount Vaccareggio.
It is incredibly interesting to visit the underground, discovering the tunnel system built over the centuries. Generations of miners have dedicated their lives to this. The fruit of their labor is today admired by locals and tourists. Many undertake this "journey to the center of the Earth", plunging into the darkness of the hand-dug tunnels.
What is mainly striking about Dossena is how life here is closely linked to the surrounding nature, which dominates everywhere. There are numerous CAI trails and routes suitable for lovers of trekking and two wheels. Of course, there is also a rich culinary tradition. Try the local cheeses and meats, as well as the exquisite craft beers.
Here he set foot Leonardo da Vinci in 1500. He was intent on studying mineral deposits. He fell in love with Dossena for the luxuriant nature and the atmosphere of this peaceful place. One of his maps of the area is preserved in one of the tables of the Windsor Code, present in the Royal Academy in London.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/visitdossena
