Ponte di Veja

Useful Information

photography — Ponte di Veja, Italy. Public Domain.

Location:	Lessinia Regional Nature Park. Near Corrubio. From Verona take SP14 or SP12 north, on SP14 turn left at Stallavena to Corrubio, on SP12 turn right in Corrubio. (45.608120, 10.970099)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Natural Bridge
Light:	brin torch
Dimension:	H=50m
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Ponte di Veja, Via Campostrin, 65, 37020 Campostrini VR Trattoria Ponte di Veja, Via Ponte di Veja, 1, 37020 Sant'Anna D'alfaedo VR, Tel: +39-045-754-5048. E-mail:
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History

1932	excavations of the caves surrounding the bridge.
1957	Trattoria Ponte di Veja opened.

Description

The Ponte di Veja (Veja Bridge) is the largest natural bridge in Europe at 50 m high. It is the remains of a karst cave which collapsed on both sides and only this short piece of the huge passage remains. In the arc there are still some small groups of stalactites visible. The bridge is well developed with a trail across and a trail through the opening.

According to a popular legend, Dante Alighieri, exiled in Verona and the guest of Cangrande della Scala, was inspired by the bridge for the description of Malebolge.

The natural bridge is surrounded by small caves. It is possible to enter some of them, sturdy shoes and a headlamp are recommended. Some caves were used in historic caves, one was closed by a 4 m high dry wall with an opening for a door. But the cave were actually used since prehistoric times. Excavations in 1932 revealed Upper Paleolithic remains, between 100,000 years and 10,000 years old. One of the caves contained the workshop of a flint tool maker.

The natural bridge is easy to access, right in front is the Trattoria Ponte di Veja with a parking lot, which is the starting point of the trails. It allso offers a nice possibility for refreshments afterwards.

The park is full of karst related sights. Another interesting point is the Parco delle Cascate. The waterfalls are not exceptionally spectacular, but they are formed by limestone rich karst water, which continually deposites tufa. So this are actually "growing" waterfalls, the limestone forms conic shapes which are quite typical for this kind of waterfalls. The springs which feed the waterfalls are karst springs, which are the result water proof silt layers in the Biancone limestone, which blocks the water from going deeper. Instead it flows on top of this layer to the valley and the spring.

A visit to the park is not complete unless you visit the Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo Museum, located at Piazza Dalla Bona in the village Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo. It is also named Museo Paleontoglogico e Preistorio (Palaeontology and Prehistory Museum). The limestones are full of fossils,