Pont de Moretta

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Introduction

Description

The two sides of the lower Lys valley were separated by the stream of the same name, which had been crossed since time immemorial – perhaps as far back as pre-Roman times – via a bridge spanning the Moretta gorge. The road leading from the village of Tour d’Héréraz to Perloz, the judicial and religious centre of the Vallaise, was known as le chemin de la Paroy because of the rock face on whose slopes it ran. The Moretta Bridge has always been shrouded inaura of legend: the tale has been handed down of a fearsome dragon which, near the bridge, threatened passers-by and was finally slain by a heroic figure, a certain GranVigna of Perloz.    The structure was rebuilt countless times in wood, resting on stone and lime abutments, until the construction of thecurrent bridge, built entirely of masonry in 1721, situated slightly
upstream of the ancient site, by two skilled master builders, Jean-Baptiste Gaydoz of Perloz and Pierre Ferro of Valsesia. In the centre of the bridge, a frescoed chapel was built, which still exists today, with a doorway.

The present-day Moretta Bridge dates back to 1710 and was built to replace an ancient wooden bridge anchored to stone supports that are still visible today. It spans a dark, deep ravine, and legend has it that it was once inhabited by a most cruel dragon, which was slain by the cunning Gran Vignal, who offered it a loaf of bread impaled on his sword.

Information

Visitor information

Self-guided tour

Elevation: 502 m
Special events: -
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