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Universitätsbibliothek HeidelbergUniversitätsbibliothek Heidelberg
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Dennis, George
The cities and cemeteries of Etruria: in two volumes (Band 1) — London, 1848

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https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0505
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chap, xxi.] PONTE DELLA BADIA. 399

rushes, here and there rising from its surface, and a dark
castle, standing in lonely pomp in the midst, nearly three
miles before us. All this moor, from the other side of the
Ponte Sodo, up to the castle and far beyond it, was the
necropolis of Vulci; but no signs of sepulture were
visible, except one lofty tumulus—the Cucumella-—half-
way between us and the castle. As we proceeded, how-
ever, we observed numerous pits, marking the spots where
tombs had been recently opened, and partly reclosed with
earth.

We alighted at the castle-gate. It is a fortress of the
middle ages, and in most other lands would be a piece
of antiquity. Here it is a modern work, with no interest
beyond its picturesque character. It is now a Papal
custom-house ; and a few doganieri mount guard here over
the neighbouring frontier, and take toll on the cattle and
goods which cross it. The castle stands on the verge of
a deep ravine, which is here spanned by a narrow bridge,
fenced in with parapets so tall as to block all view. Not
till I had crossed it had I any idea of its character; and
then, from the slope below, it burst on me like a fresh
creation. It is verily a magnificent structure, bestriding
the rocky abyss like a colossus, with the Fiora fretting
and foaming at a vast depth beneath.6 But what means
this extraordinary curtain of stalactites which overhangs
the bridge on this side, depending in huge jagged masses
from the parapet, and looking as though a vast cataract

6 The height of the arch above the its key-stone. There is a third arch,

stream is said to be 96 French feet, and its still smaller, close under the castle, not

span 62 feet. The width of the bridge is perforating, but merely recessed in the

only 10 feet, and its entire length 243 structure. Being on the southern side of

feet. Ann. Inst. 1832, p. 261. There is a the bridge, it is not shown in the an-

second arch, only IS feet in span, formed nexed lithograph. A view of the bridge

merely to lighten and strengthen the from the other side is given in Mon.

long wall of masonry on the right bank. Ined. Inst. I. tav. 41.
It has a draped figure in relief on
 
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