I have a quick post today about an area in Wales called Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls.

Wales is part of the United Kingdom. As of 2011, the country had about three million occupants. While the majority of people living there are British citizens, Welsh is its own ethnicity and they have their own language that the government has taken pains to ensure is preserved and taught in schools. I’m interested in the national character of countries, and I’ve always heard how likable and friendly the Welsh people are. 

It so happens that the Library of Congress has three beautiful photochrom pictures of the Devil’s Bridge area. It’s hard to believe, considering the color and how the clear the shot is, but the pictures were made in 1890!

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Naturalists, artists, and anyone who enjoys outdoor activities would love Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls. Apart from bridge itself, the area is home to walking trails, many plant species, and rock formations that have slowly been exposed by the waterfalls over the course of thousands of years.  The Devil’s Bridge is about 12 miles from Aberystwyth, and is actually three bridges built one on top of the other. You can see that most clearly in this modern picture:

devilsbridgewaterfalls.co.uk

This picture from 1890 was taken from atop the Devil’s Bridge. I think based on the colors and the leaves on the trees, it must have been taken in the autumn:

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Are you curious how this unique bridge got its name? Here is the legend, direct from devilsbridgewaterfalls.co.uk:

… around the eleventh Century, the Devil visited Wales as he had never been there before and he had heard that the scenery was breath-taking. He soon came across an old lady who seemed upset. “What’s the matter?” he asked out of curiosity.
“Oh, I’m in such a terrible muddle and I don’t know what to do! My cow has wandered across the river and I can’t get her back.”
”Ah!” said the Devil ”What you need my dear, is a bridge, and I am just the man to build you one. Why don’t you go home, and in the morning there will be a bridge waiting for you. All I ask in return is to keep the first living thing to cross the bridge!”
“Okay then” she said “It’s a bargain. I’ll see you in the morning. Nos da, Goodnight”

That night she wondered about this stranger who would build her a bridge. ”What a strange request! Why should I cross the bridge to get my cow back if he gets to keep me in exchange? Mind you it is very tempting offer.”

The next day she got up and called for her faithful dog. Together they went down to the river. “Well, well.” she couldn’t believe her eyes. In front of her was the best bridge that she had ever seen! ”I told you that I would build you a bridge” said the Devil appearing from nowhere.
“Now it’s your turn to keep your side of the bargain.”
”I know, you get to keep the first living thing to cross the bridge,” and she started to walk towards the bridge. But just when she got to the entrance, she stopped, took out a loaf of bread from her apron pocket and hurled it across the bridge. As quick as a flash and before the Devil could stop it, the dog chased after it. ”Aaaaaaagh!!!!!” screeched the Devil. “You stupid old woman, I don’t believe it! Your smelly, hairy farm dog has become the first living thing to cross my bridge. It’s no good to me,” he screamed and then he vanished.

Well, the Devil was never seen in Wales again as he was so embarrassed at being outwitted by the old lady. High in the mountains near Aberystwyth, there is a village where a very old bridge crosses a deep gorge. Above it are two other bridges built at later dates. But the lowest one….Well, they say that the Devil himself built it!

LOC