Covered Bridges Travel Itineraries in the United States and Europe

A Covered Bridge is defined as a bridge in which the trusses, sides, and roofs are made of wood, creating a complete enclosure; they were built that way to protect the structural integrity of the bridge that, left exposed, would otherwise have a useful life of only 10-15 years.

These Structures were built throughout the world during 19^th century. In the United States, Philadelphia lays claim to the first bridge, built in the early 1800s, that spanned the Schuylkill River by 30^th Street. Eventually, nearly 12,000 covered bridges were in operation. By the 1950s, the hat number shrank to less than 1,500 as more affordable and durable materials came into existence.

Pennsylvania has 219 Covered Bridges the most of any State

Early Timber covered bridges consisted of horizontal beams laid on top of piles driven into the riverbed below. This construction method meant that the length between bridge spans was limited by the maximum length of each beam; development of the timber truss circumvented that limitation and allowed bridges to span greater distances than those with beam-only structures of stone, masonry or timber arch structures.

The US Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic States

European Truss Bridges used king and queen post configurations. Some early German bridges included diagonal panel bracing in trusses with parallel top and bottom chords. Wood deterioration upon exposure to weather was addressed with various forms of coverings. Beginning around 1820, new designs were developed, such as burr, lattice and brown trusses. By mid-century, the introduction of wrought iron and cast iron led to metal rather than timber trusses, except in areas where large timber remained plentiful.

Ask us about our anchor locations from which you can best base your travel movements, mindful that you are likely to visit three to four places in a compressed period of time, typically 7 to 10 days, and experience multiple interests that range from cultural to culinary, wellness and the environment.

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Abruzzo Italy Art Cities

Art Cities Museums Parks Protected Areas and Archaeology

The Abruzzo Region is located on the Adriatic Coast, east of Rome. It is home to national parks, hilltop medieval and Renaissance towns and numerous nature reserves. The Apennine mountain chain forms much of its interior while the coastal plain has sandy beaches and dunes.

Art Cities and Museums

L'Aquila is Abruzzo’s capital and most important city. The historic center is still recovering from the recent earthquake; hence, all monuments and buildings, except for the Suffragio Church, can be seen only from the outside. The itinerary includes a presentation and technical data on earthquakes.

Sulmona is renowned as an arts center, the birthplace of the Latin poet Ovid and a confectionery center. Your itinerary includes; the Church of  Saint Francis of the Shoes - so named as the Franciscans officiating mass here wore shoes as opposed to sandals – the Annunziata Church and Palace with its unique blend of gothic, renaissance and baroque styles, the medieval aqueduct and the many artisan shops with confetti and assorted other sweets.

Celano and its medieval borgo, castle and museum. The historic center also includes the churches of San Giovanni Battista (XIII century), San Francesco (XV century), San Michele Arcangelo (XIV century) and Santa Maria Valleverde (XV-XVI century). The Castle is among the largest in Abruzzo and holds the Torlonia Antiquities Collection and the Marsica Sacred Art Museum.

Chieti is 500 years older than Rome. Originally known as Teate, the capital of the Marrucino people, Chieti maintained its importance during the roman era, as attested by the temples, theater and baths. The city’s historic center presents monuments and building from the 17^th and 18^th centuries, including: the Cathedral, the churches of S. Domenico and S. Chiara and several baroque buildings.

The Abruzzo National Park

Camosciara Waterfalls and Chamois a brief naturalistic excursion that includes a view of the Tre Cannelle and Ninfe waterfalls, unique flora and fauna, including brown bears, wolves, deer, otters, eagles and the Abruzzo chamois.
Val Fondillo Grasslands and Streams easily the greenest valley in the Abruzzo Park with copious amounts of water descending from the mountains peaks through the Val Fondillo stream, your itinerary is over flat ground, accompanied by a mild climate, beech forests and a rich undergrowth, with fruits and berries that are a favorite of the brown bear.
Wolves and Lynxes an excursion dedicated to the park’s predators starting from the Civitella Alfedena Eco Museum and in depth appreciation of the wolf’s predatory tactics, habitat impact, fables, legends and the relationship with humans. Next a visit to two fauna areas and an opportunity to view wild wolves and lynxes in a state of semi freedom. 

 

Park Nature a panoramic excursion that includes visits to an eco-museum, fauna area and appennine garden. The museum presents finds from the Val Fondillo necropolis, dioramas and multimedia displays on geological phenomena and the food chain. The fauna area features wild fauna and the garden’s educational pond shows the protected area’s most beautiful blooms.
Barrea Lake and Water Museum the lake is the most visited site in the park. The artificial reservoir that blocks the Sangro River was developed in the 1950s to generate hydroelectric power. Your excursion includes a tour of the lake’s embankments and the Barrea Villa and Water Museum, developed next to an ancient windmill.

The Villages of Vallis Regia a day long program to visit the park’s major borghi: Pescasseroli, Villetta Barrea and Barrea. Pescasseroli’s historic center includes the S. Peter and Paul Abbey, Sipari Palace and the park’s nature center and Villetta Barrea’s Sant’Angelo in Barreggio Monastery, the Pino Nero pinewoods and the banks of the Sangro River. Barrea is the borgo that closes Vallis Regia, with its historic center, castle and Church of San Tommaso.

Majella National Park

San Bartolomeo In Legio Hermitage during the middle ages many hermits built rock churches and hermitages in the Majella’s caves to live and pray. Among them, Pietro da Morrone who become Pope under the name Celestino V. San Bartolomeo in Legio is one of best preserved hermitages, located at a height of 600 meters under a 50 meter rock roof. It can be reached via four stairways including the “la scala santa”; pilgrims were known to climb it on their knees.
 

Orfento Natural Reserve the Canyon was dug over the millenia into the soft, calcareous rocks of Monte Focalone. The natural reserve contains numerous vegetable and animal species. Its biodiversity is affirmed by the presence of coy otters diving in the river’s crystalline waters.
The Botanical Garden hosts a reconstructed environment characterized by high altitude scree and cliffs. The garden includes a large nursery with native tree and shrub species. Other sections are dedicated to medicinal plants and agricultural bio diversity. The Soldanella Limestone, with its resistance to cold and drought,   is representative of the Majella.
Majella Park Orienteering is available to students of all ages over the course of a day. Morning sessions at the Barrasso Museum are dedicated to the theory of the discipline; in the afternoon, transfer to a nearby location for the games. Alternatively, in case of inclement weather, lessons dedicated to best practices in mountainous areas: reading and interpreting signposts, respect for the ecosystem and other users of the mountains.

Archaeology

Alba Fucens is renowned for its monuments and its spectacular views; the name derives from the purple dawns seen by the ancient dwellers of nearby Lake Fucino, along with a vast green countryside, snow-capped mountains and crisp air. The archeological park, among the best preserved in Italy, contains the forum, basilica, market, baths, theater and amphitheater.
Villa Frigerj Archaeological Museum in Chieti’s historic center, holds Abruzzo findings from prehistory to the Roman Imperial era, including: a 15 thousand coin collection and Emperor Galba’s gold, the Capestrano Warrior, an anthropological collection recounting the daily life of the ancient Abruzzo inhabitants and Hercules’ statue by the Greek sculptor Lisippo.

Civitella Museum and National Park is located in the center of Chieti and is characterized by large spaces to accommodate the findings from the nearby Roman era archeological park. Among the exhibits, an extraordinary reconstruction of one of the pediments with its actual original colors.