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Who would have guessed that the Devil had a knack for design?
While the Devil is often linked to wickedness, these tales suggest that he could also be a talented architect, builder, and engineer. According to these myths, there are numerous castles and bridges around the globe attributed to the Devil's craftsmanship.
Many of these castles and bridges still stand strong to this day, despite having been constructed hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. If the Devil truly built them, he’s undeniably a skilled architect. But don’t plan on hiring him for your next project—he doesn’t have the proper licenses and always demands a soul in return for his work.
10. Yester Castle - East Lothian, Scotland
Yester Castle, located in East Lothian, Scotland, was constructed in 1267 by Sir Hugo de Giffard, a man well-known for his deep interest in alchemy, a pseudoscientific field. According to legend, he finished the castle with the help of an army of goblins sent by the Devil.
This story is hardly shocking, considering Sir Hugo's controversial nature. Some even believed he was a magician or wizard, which led to him earning the nickname “The Wizard of Yester.”
While much of Yester Castle lies in ruins, the Goblin Ha’ (Goblin Hall), where Sir Hugo is said to have conducted his mysterious rituals, still stands. The hall is reputed to be haunted, and many who have ventured inside report sensing dark forces at play. Locals have even blocked a staircase leading from the hall into the nearby hills, claiming it is a gateway to hell.
9. Ponte della Maddalena - Borgo a Mozzano, Italy
The Ponte della Maddalena (“Bridge of Mary Magdalene”) spans the Serchio River in Borgo a Mozzano, Italy. While the exact construction date remains unknown, historians place it between 1046 and 1115.
What is known is that the bridge existed by the 14th century when it underwent renovations. Its original name has been lost to history, and it only adopted its current name after 1500, following the construction of a chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene along the riverbank.
According to legend, the Devil completed the bridge after the human architect realized he could not finish it before the deadline. In exchange for the architect's soul, the Devil agreed to complete the work.
Later, the architect sought advice from the local priest, who suggested sending a pig across the bridge. Realizing he had been outwitted, the Devil leapt into the river and vanished, never to be seen again.
Another version of the story suggests that the architect sent a dog across the bridge instead. The enraged Devil seized the dog and jumped into the river, never to be seen again. It is said that the spirit of the dog—now transformed into the Devil himself—roams the bridge on late October evenings, seeking the soul of the architect who sacrificed him.
8. Monnow Bridge - Monmouth, Wales
In Welsh folklore, Jack o’ Kent is a legendary figure known for always outwitting the Devil. It is said that he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for supernatural abilities, or even the power to control the Devil himself.
On one occasion, Jack made a deal with the Devil, offering either the top or the bottom of the crops in his field. The Devil chose the top, only to lose when the crop turned out to be turnips. The following year, Jack made the same offer, and this time, the Devil chose the bottom. Once again, the Devil was outwitted when the crop turned out to be wheat.
In another bargain, Jack told the Devil to build a bridge over the River Monnow, offering the soul of the first person to cross as payment. The Devil agreed and completed the bridge overnight.
Once the bridge was finished, the Devil instructed Jack to cross so he could claim Jack's soul. But Jack had a trick up his sleeve. He tempted a hungry dog with a bone and threw it across the bridge. The dog followed, and the Devil took its soul instead.
Even in death, Jack continued to outwit the Devil. According to their agreement, the Devil was meant to claim Jack’s soul after his passing, whether he was buried inside or outside the church. To avoid this, Jack had his tomb placed inside the church wall, making him neither inside nor outside.
7. Tarr Steps - Somerset, England
The Tarr Steps is a modest bridge situated in Exmoor National Park, Somerset, England. Unlike the other bridges we’ve discussed, it is a clapper bridge, which is constructed by placing flat stones over stepping stones. These bridges were designed to help people cross shallow streams.
The exact date of the Tarr Steps’ construction remains unknown. However, estimates range widely from 1000 BC to AD 1400. According to legend, the Devil built the bridge as a place to sunbathe, never crossing it but instead lying on the structure to bask in the sun.
The villagers were too terrified to use the new bridge, so they sent a hapless cat across to test it. The cat vanished, with some versions of the tale claiming the Devil tore the animal into pieces.
A parson, determined to challenge the Devil’s right to obstruct passage, climbed onto the bridge. The Devil swore and shouted, but ultimately, he retreated, allowing people to cross. However, he forbade anyone from crossing while he was sunbathing on the bridge.
6. Devil’s Bridge - Ceredigion, Wales
The Devil’s Bridge in Ceredigion, Wales, is a unique structure made up of three bridges, each built on top of the last, crossing the Afon Mynach river. The first bridge, the original Devil’s Bridge, was constructed across difficult terrain—a narrow valley between two hills—leading many to question whether it could have been built by humans.
While the exact date of its construction remains uncertain, it is believed that the original span was built by the monks of Strata Florida Abbey around the mid-1100s, which is why it is also referred to as Monk’s Bridge.
Records show that Strata Florida Abbey was founded in 1164, and the bridge was already in place by 1188. In 1753, a second bridge was built over the first, and in 1901, a third was constructed above the second. According to legend, the first bridge was created after an elderly woman named Megan made a deal with the Devil.
At the time, the region had been experiencing severe rainfall, and Megan’s cow was stranded on the other side of the flooded River Mynach. The river was boiling, swirling, and hissing, preventing her from crossing to retrieve her cow.
While Megan stood by the riverbank, the Devil appeared to her and offered to construct a bridge over the water so she could reach her cow. In exchange for this favor, he demanded the soul of the first person to cross the bridge.
The Devil fulfilled his part of the deal, expecting a human to cross the bridge first. However, Megan outsmarted him by tossing a piece of bread onto the bridge. Her dog chased the bread and became the first to cross, thus sealing its soul. The Devil, outraged but unsuccessful, vanished.
5. Stone BridgeRegensburg, Germany
The Stone Bridge in Regensburg, Germany, was constructed over the Danube River between 1135 and 1146. In the 13th century, three fortified towers were added to the bridge. One tower was destroyed by ice in 1784, and another was damaged in 1810 during a war, leaving only one tower standing. According to legend, the bridge was built by the Devil himself.
The builders of both the bridge and a nearby cathedral allegedly made a large wager to see who would complete their work first. The cathedral builder appeared to be winning the bet, prompting the bridge builder to strike a deal with the Devil.
In exchange for the souls of the first three beings to cross the bridge, the Devil agreed to complete the bridge before the cathedral was finished. The bridge builder accepted the deal, and the Devil helped him win the wager.
Expecting to collect three human souls, the Devil was tricked when the builder sent a dog and two chickens across the bridge. Enraged, the Devil tried to destroy the bridge, but he failed, leaving only a dent in its structure.
In his fury, the Devil took his own life by leaping from one of the cathedral’s towers. While this story may sound like mere folklore, it is supported by the fact that the cathedral was completed a century after the bridge.
4. Ponte da MizarelaMontalegre, Portugal
Ponte da Mizarela, also known as the 'Misarela Bridge,' spans the Rio Rabagao in Montalegre, Portugal. Often referred to as the 'Bridge of the Devil' or the 'Bridge from Hell,' it is said to have been constructed by the Devil. According to local legend, a criminal called upon the Devil for assistance when he became stranded on the riverbank while fleeing from a village.
The Devil agreed to build the bridge in exchange for the man’s soul. The man accepted the offer and received the bridge, which vanished before his pursuers could use it to catch him.
Feeling guilty for his actions, the criminal sought help from a priest in order to save his soul. The priest provided him with holy water and instructed him to sprinkle it over the bridge.
The criminal returned to the river and requested that the Devil make the bridge appear once more. When the Devil granted his request, the criminal sprinkled the holy water over the bridge, reclaiming his soul. As a result, the bridge became a permanent structure.
According to another version of the story, the Misarela Bridge was actually constructed by the people from two villages situated along the river. The Devil repeatedly destroyed the bridge, doing so twelve times, and vowed that it would never stand again.
In desperation, the villagers sought the help of a priest who advised them to rebuild the bridge one final time. They followed his advice, and when the Devil tried to destroy it once more, he was forced to retreat after the priest threw a piece of bread on the structure and invoked the powers of God against him.
3. Valentre BridgeCahors, France
The Valentre Bridge, spanning the Lot River in Cahors, France, was constructed between 1308 and 1378, a staggering 70 years. Legend claims that the construction took so long that the impatient builder called upon the Devil for help. In exchange, the Devil agreed to obey the builder’s commands until the bridge was finished, after which he would claim the builder's soul.
As the bridge neared completion, the builder decided to outwit the Devil. He cunningly ordered the Devil to carry out the impossible task of fetching water with a sieve.
Realizing he had been tricked, the Devil became enraged and sent a demon to destroy the bridge. However, the demon's efforts were in vain.
Despite the failure, the upper corner of the tower in the middle of the bridge sustained damage, which remained until the bridge and its three towers were extensively renovated in 1879.
To stay true to the legend, Paul Gout, the architect in charge of the renovation, placed a statue of a demon attempting to steal blocks from the newly renovated tower. In doing so, he made it appear as if the Devil’s demon was still trying to destroy the bridge, in keeping with the old tale.
2. TeufelsbruckeSchollenen Gorge, Switzerland
Schollenen Gorge in Uri, Switzerland, has long been a treacherous route for travelers. Legend says that the people of the canton tried multiple times to build a bridge across the gorge, but the mules carrying the building materials kept falling from the rocks.
In their frustration, the people struck a deal with the Devil. He would construct the bridge, and in return, he would claim the soul of the first person to cross. The Devil built the bridge overnight and stood waiting on the other side for his first soul.
A farmer sent his goat across, but the Devil, enraged, seized it and tore it into 100 pieces. Still unsatisfied, the Devil descended the mountain, found a large boulder, and began the arduous task of rolling it back up the mountain.
The Devil struggled with the heavy stone, and soon an old woman encountered him. Recognizing him by his webbed feet, she crossed herself and made the sign of the cross over the boulder, which immediately became stuck to the ground.
The Devil was unable to shift the boulder, and after numerous failed attempts, he retreated to hell in shame. The bridge was henceforth known as the Devil’s Bridge, and the stone he left behind has since been called the Devil’s Stone.
1. Mukachevo Castle, Palanok, Ukraine
Mukachevo Castle, located in Palanok, Ukraine, dates back to the Middle Ages. Between 1396 and 1414, it was owned by Prince Fedor Koryatovich, who strengthened the castle’s fortifications. However, when the prince worried about the availability of water in case of a siege, he ordered his men to dig a well. Despite years of effort, they couldn’t reach water.
In desperation, the prince promised a bag of gold to anyone who could find water. The Devil appeared instantly, confirming the deal, and jumped into the well. Water began flowing almost immediately, and after completing the task, the Devil departed, vowing to return in three days for his gold.
The prince faced a dilemma as he had no gold to pay the Devil for his help. A wizard suggested that the prince place a few gold coins in a small bag and present it to the Devil, arguing that the Devil had never specified the size of the bag.
The Devil, enraged by the small reward, angrily leapt into the well after an argument with the prince. Since then, the Devil has been making eerie sounds from within the well to frighten people. However, he has never emerged, as he is embarrassed by how easily he was tricked.
