Forno Bridge

Site overview

The bridge is erected over the Stura torrent and is similar to other stone bridges, typical of the Lanzo Valleys, such as the better-known “Devil’s Bridge” in Lanzo (see sheet). It dates back to the year 1477 and was erected thanks to the munificence of the Goffi brothers, holders of the concession for the exploitation of local iron and copper mines; for this reason, it is also called “Goffi bridge”. The hamlet where it is located is called “Forno” because furnaces had been built there for the smelting of metals extracted from the surrounding mountains, and it preserves the remains of the mining village, active in the 14th century. The bridge is made of stone, formed by two unequal humpback arches. At the center of the major arch, there is a shrine dedicated to the Madonna, originally frescoed. It is believed that the shrine was built to increase the weight of the center of the arch and therefore the thrust between the two side blocks.