Ponte del Diavolo is a wafer-thin span of brick-and-stone without railings located in Torcello, Italy. it was built in the 15th century (and restored in 2008), and its name is most likely merely a fun corruption of "Diavoli," the name of a local family.

There are many legends in Europe of particularly odd-looking bridges having been built by the Devil—usually in the span of just one night, and usually in exchange for souls or some other macabre favor.

The legend of the Devils' Bridge on Torcello has a slightly different twist.

They say that, during the Austrian occupation of Venice (1797–1849) a local girl fell in love with a young Austrian officer, but her parents forbade them to see one another. When that didn't take, eventually they had the poor boy killed.

The distraught girl approached a witch to ask for her help, and the witch made a deal with the Devil on her behalf: Return the slain boy to life, and they would gather seven fresh new souls of children to replace his.

The devil held up his end of the bargain. He appeared as scheduled one night at the foot of the bridge with the boy. The with appeared at the other end with the girl. The lovers dashed across the bridge and met in the middle to embrace... then ran away together.

The Devil looked to the witch, who remained, and demanded his payment.

Now on the hook for seven souls, the witch asked for another week to procure them and the Devil agreed. Luckily for area youngsters attached to their souls, the witch died before that next appointment.

They say the Devil still comes to the foot of this bridge on moonless nights, waiting at the far side for his payment.

Waiting for an unclaimed soul to wander over the bridge and become his.