Teufelsbrücken

Summary

The Teufelsbrücken over the Schöllenen-Schlucht of the Reuss are among the most famous bridges in Switzerland. The first bridge was built of wood in 1230. It was replaced by a stone structure in 1595. When a new bridge was built next to it in 1830, the old one collapsed in 1888. Its foundations are still visible today. The 1830 bridge is used today for slow-moving traffic, and the bridge completed in 1958 serves modern road traffic. Above the latter sits the famous image of the devil, which stems from a popular legend. It is said that the first bridge was built by the devil, as the people of Uri were unable to do it alone. As payment, the devil demanded the soul of the first one to cross his bridge. The people of Uri sent a goat across, whereupon the enraged devil fetched a mighty boulder to destroy the bridge. However, a woman drew a cross on the stone, causing the confused devil to drop the rock into the Schöllenen-Schlucht. The alleged Teufelsstein can still be seen in Göschenen today. In 1799, a battle took place on and near the bridge between a Russian army under General Suworow and formations of the French army. Since 1898, the Suworow-Denkmal has been located next to the Teufelsbrücke. The monument and the associated land are owned by the Russian state.