15 January 2012

Sospel - the Old Toll Bridge


Let's take the 20 kilometre drive from Menton to Sospel, a village in the mountains that dates back to the 5th century, when it served as an important staging post on the royal road from Nice to Turin.

This is the old toll bridge which was used by travellers on the Salt Route to cross the Bévéra. It was built in the 13th century but bombed by the Germans during World War II to prevent contact between the French Resistance (the Maquis) and the Italians. Much of the town was destroyed. The bridge was renovated after the war and now houses the tourist office.

More tomorrow ...

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Parcourons les 20 km de route qui mènent de Menton à Sospel, un village dans les montagnes construit au 5ème siècle, quand il était une étape importante sur la route royale de Nice à Turin.

C'est le vieux pont à péage qui était emprunté par les voyageurs de la Route du Sel pour traverser la Bévéra. Il a été construit au 13ème siècle, mais bombardé par les Allemands pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale pour empêcher tout contact entre la Résistance française (le maquis) et les Italiens. Une grande partie de la ville a aussi été détruite. Le pont a été rénové après la guerre et abrite aujourd'hui l'office du tourisme.

La suite demain ...

14 comments:

  1. From just this one image, and maybe it is tough to judge, but Sospel appears to be struggling economically.

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  2. Not sure about that. A lot of Monaco people have holiday homes in Sospel - where it's cool in summer. Lot of tourism of course too. Perhaps the slightly cloudy day makes the place look tired. More to come... it's an unspoiled place but not sure it's struggling that much.

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  3. Pasi from Finland15 January, 2012

    This photo looks very much like oil painting to me! Marvellous!

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  4. A fascinating image Jilly. Also thought the photo the feeling of a painting. Beautiful.

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  5. Wonderful photo. I'd like to visit Sospel.

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  6. Passed there once or twice in summer, what a wonderful place!

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  7. Wonderful photo of Sospel and great light control and composition. Begs for rendering in pen and ink sketch IMHO.

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  8. i add my voice to the others who find these two images very painterly. beautiful.

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  9. These two photos are wonderful. I think I'm going to enjoy this visit.

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  10. I agree with the comments above. The photo is a work of art. Such delicate colors! Lovely...breathtaking.

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  11. Two gorgeous shots. I love the "misty" look.

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  12. Utterly charming Jilly. You have captured this scene perfectly and from the comments you've picked a winner here. Allons-y!

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  13. Two pretty, well composed images, Jilly.

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  14. What a gorgeous place, like a fairy tale. I'd love to visit there and do some dreaming.

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