Description
The village's emblem, the bridge over the Bévéra, was first mentioned on the Nice-Piémont road in the 13th century.
Pont-vieux de Sospel is a fortified bridge measuring 36 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. It is distinguished by its central tower, a medieval vestige, and its two asymmetrical arches spanning the Bévéra river.
Mentioned as early as 1217, the original bridge was made of wood. In 1522, a stone bridge was built, with two arches supporting the deck and a defensive tower. The bridge served as a passageway for mule caravans carrying salt and merchandise between Nice and Piedmont, and a toll was charged for its use. The central tower housed a fashion business at the beginning of the XXᵉ century and, until 1960, was home to a basket-maker.
In 1944, during the retreat of German troops, the bridge was destroyed. It was rebuilt identically between 1952 and 1957, reusing the same stones. Only the lower part of the central pier remains of medieval origin.
Today, the Pont-vieux houses temporary exhibitions inside the tower.
