Vaholm covered bridge from the 17th century, is Sweden’s only covered and leads over river Tidan – a suspension bridge in two spans. Bridges of this kind are otherwise very common in the US, but in Europe they are just a few examples in Germany and Switzerland. In Scandinavia there is only similar bridge in Norway; The Hammer Bridge in mid Norway – looking almost the same as this Vaholm:
Vaholm bridge was renovated in 1992 after having been close to collapse.
Located in the courtyard Vaholm it has been discussed as a possible location of the former royal farm, which gave its name to the local area. The farm’s current main building is from the start of the 1800s. Last weekend, when in Sweden, my wife and I took a little road trip looking for this well known covered bridge and we gladly take you with (click pic to bigify & enjoy):
The suspension wooden bridge is a two-span, totalling 34 feet of the main girders of round logs. The land attachment, like bridge piers in the center, built of hewn stone brick and is held together by tension straps of iron. On the main studs are longitudinal spans of wood with wrought iron hangers carrying the bridge deck:
The bridge house itself is independent and built in the traditional manner with a single pole design works. The house is covered with a Falu red paint panels, and the bottom decorated with a carved scallop design. Neither the bridge nor the house is particularly remarkable on its own – but the combination makes a unique facility.
People who have crossed over the bridge late at night report feeling strong feelings of discomfort and the feeling of evil or death present.
Others have reported seeing crying child faces on the wall while others said they felt like someone wanted to kill them while standing there. Some have even said that they felt someone tried to strangle them when standing in the bridge house after dark, and it is rumoured that something very terrible may have happened here.
Tidan is a locality situated in Skövde Municipality, Västra Götaland County in Sweden which has about 1000 inhabitants and only 20 minutes from our vacation home in Mariestad. In spite of the ghost stories I didn’t notice anything about the bridge except how lovely it looked in the nice summer weather. I didn’t feel anything while crossing it, although Diane was a bit sceptical to driving the car over:
Whatever its history this fine bridge over Tidan river didn’t seem to mean us any harm. How about you – do you know or have heard of any of these kind of bridges?
There are no bridges of this sort in my part of the US (Oklahoma) but there are some in the Northeast where the winters are severe. The cover keeps the snow and ice from making the bridge impassible.
The bridge is made so beautifully
We have many covered bridges here in New Hampshire. Some can only be used for walking now, but many have been reinforced and are drivable. I love them. They make me think of the good things created in the past.
Remenber the romantic film ” The Madisson bridges!. Its like look similar.
But this one its in my beutiful Norway!
A big hug Renny and happy saturday.
Maria
Gorgeous photos. Indeed, there are a number of covered bridges in the USA — I wonder how the idea developed if there aren’t so many in Europe?
From far it doesn’t look like a bridge at all…this is awesome :D
As far as I’m aware we don’t have anything like this in the UK. I’ve only ever seen them in films from America!
What a beautiful and original bridge! Can’t imagine what can arrive in the dark!!! I am frightened! hi hi!! I come back blogging on the blogsphere as I am on holiday!
I didn’t even know we had that kind of bridges in Scandinavia, so live and learn.
It looked very nice, but I don’t quite see the point of making bridges into houses.
Very interesting. There are old ( 18th C) covered bridges in New England, USA where I grew up. Most do not have as rich and unusual backgrounds as this one has. Also, they have become part of hiking trails and bike due to structural reasons that will not allow them to support heavy vehicles. Thank you for sharing.
Kerry
That looks nice and I even more intrigue upon learning about some supernatural stuff happening around there.
I haven’t been there and not at any other similar bridges as I recall, but it’s very picturesque I think!
To my knowledge there are no bridges of this kind anywhere in Scotland, where I live. It’s so unique.
This is a long bridge that I would like to see, but not at night. I checked and there are 16 or so covered bridges in Georgia. I’ll have to check them out for a future post. Thanks for the idea.
Today was the 3rd stage of the Tour de France and Norwegian Thor Hushovd won the stage. He also won the green jersey for the best sprinter. Thor (The God of Thunder they call him) is a great athlete with strong legs. I like to watch him. I believe he is the cyclist champion of Norway?
How interesting! Let me know if you make such post and I’ll update mine with a link to yours.
Glad you noticed Thor’s victory today. Yes, he won Norwegian Road Race Championship 2010. That’s why he wore a jersey with the Norwegian flag today – but from tomorrow he will wear the Green :-)
that’s a bridge? hehe. are there lights at night?
I’m a huge fan of bridges and never fail to take pictures of them — so much history about them!
I must add I just love your new blog theme. It really presents your articles the best way possible.
You have a special ability to find interesting places and objects. I wonder why bridges were cosntructed this way: To protect from Water Trolls?
I have always loved covered bridges, Renny, and find them to be very soulful. Some states in America have lots of them…like New Hampshire. We even have a few in Georgia! :)
The arts center is beneath the bridge, which links the mainland to the island of Hisingen. It is a six-lane passage and is considered a vital link between Norway and Sweden.