Argusto - The Sofia Bridge

In the time of pilgrims and caravans

The so-called Sofia Bridge is located just outside the town of Argusto and harks back to the time when the road that crosses it was the only one that went up this side of the Ancinale Valley from Soverato to Chiaravalle. A single ashlar stone archway, not imposing, but certainly solid, having withstood for at least a thousand years not only the passages of caravans but also the intemperance of the watercourse it crosses.

Between history and legend an episode engraved in memory

Archaeologists of the Middle Ages believe that by construction characteristics the bridge dates back to the11th-12th centuries. The history of the bridge, however, trespasses into legend when the question arises about the woman it recalls in the name. In fact, it is said that in times long past, each local family had to take it in turn to take responsibility for guarding the bridge at night. Except that when it happened to Sophia, a local young woman left alone to represent her home, brigands had the unfortunate idea of taking advantage of her, forever associating her memory with the place as a memento of the incident.

The scenario reconstructed by archaeologists

An intervention aimed at the enhancement of the ancient artifact dates back to 1993. In the circumstance, a cartographic study was carried out to more precisely frame its function in the context of the valley. The study demonstrated the presence of a series of buildings connected with the presence of the bridge, concluding that in the medieval period it was one of the obligatory points of transit for those who, coming up from the coast, intended to advance inland.