A Bridge To Revitalisation

Sellano, a quaint town in the Umbria region, was recently graced with a so-called “intelligent tourist attraction”—a Tibetan Suspension Bridge. Early feedback following its inauguration suggests that the experience of journeying among the heavens will be a major success.

Until recently, Sellano was relatively unknown—even to most Italians, let alone the rest of the world. That’s hardly surprising, given its population of just 1,100. But in March 2024, something happened that suddenly put Sellano on Italy’s tourist map—this sleepy little town unveiled a Tibetan Suspension Bridge. 

From Piedmont in the north to Basilicata in the south, there are a total of eight Tibetan bridges. This one in Sellano, however, stands out. Spanning 517.5 meters in length and soaring 175 meters above the ground, it is the highest in Italy—and in all of Europe.

Adrenaline Rush

When I arrived in Sellano, I simply followed a throng of people to the bridge’s location in the town’s historic centre. There, I waited in line for some time before beginning my nerve-wracking journey—one careful step at a time—along with many other thrill-seekers, all moving slowly across 1,023 metal slats. From below we appeared to be ascending directly into heaven.

On the other side of the bridge is the hamlet of Montesanto, and the crossing is estimated to last between 30 and 40 minutes. I had my safety harness, and a person from the security team had told us: “There are three walkie-talkies along the route, so if you have problems or get into a crisis, use them.”

The sensation of “butterflies in my stomach” was triggered by the fact that there is a gap of approximately 30 cm between each of the metal slats. Without a safety net between the slats, I could see directly down into the Vigi River valley. It was this gap that made me feel “in danger” and triggered an intense production of adrenaline. 

I had my digital camera in one hand, while my other hand firmly gripped one of the steel wires that run along either side of the bridge, providing me with stability. From time to time, I stopped and shot a few photos, but I never let go of the steel wire.

Swaying with Emotions

I felt the wind against my face as I ventured further onto the bridge. Although it was only a light one, it created some mental turmoil. It caused the bridge to sway slightly, sending extra jitters through my stomach. 

At three points along the bridge, there are platforms where the metal slats are closer to each other, offering a mental pause, and allowing you to exhale and recharge for the next stretch of the journey.  

In the final few metres, I felt pleasantly aware that I had made it over “sound and safe”. Before I freed myself from the safety harness, I glanced back at the bridge, which stretches like a long steel spine across the green landscape. With a height difference of 68 metres between start and end, I now looked down upon Sellano on the other side of the valley, which appeared as a small, fascinating cluster of grey houses.

After arriving in Montesanto, you can purchase a ticket for a shuttle bus back to Sellano. Alternatively, you can walk back along a scenic path through the Vigi Valley, passing two small lakes along the way.

Fighting Depopulation

Paolo Borroi, a destination manager and one of the driving forces behind the project, explains how the bridge has surpassed all expectations. 

“We had, of course, estimated how many visitors would cross the suspension bridge. But the actual number has far exceeded what we imagined. In the first month and a half, around 16,000 visitors have made the trip,” he says with a smile.

Every visitor pays 25 euros for the adrenaline-filled walk across the bridge. However, it’s important to emphasize that the organisers did not set out to achieve a specific financial objective. 

“The whole project has been strategically designed around a concept we call ‘quality tourism,’ aimed at counteracting the depopulation affecting many small towns— especially mountain towns like Sellano here in Umbria. This issue has been exacerbated by past earthquakes, particularly in 1999 and 2016. If, in the long run, the bridge generates financial returns, the plan is to reinvest the profits into new sustainable projects of the same type,” says Borroi.

Boosting Tourism, Growth and Friendship

Overall, the project has been executed with great professionalism. Construction of the bridge was launched in 2022, and its completion has been remarkably swift. It was funded through the EU’s pandemic recovery fund, with a total budget of approximately 1.5 million euros. All materials and technical expertise for the bridge came from companies based in or near Perugia.

The bridge’s popularity has added yet another attraction to Umbria’s tourism offerings. The increase in visitors to Sellano is expected to have a positive ripple effect on surrounding areas. Additionally, 12 to 14 employees are consistently engaged in managing operations around the bridge, which is currently open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. However, plans are in place to extend opening hours to the entire week.

“So far, the bridge is definitely considered a success, especially when you consider that, in the distant past, Sellano and Montesanto—on opposite sides of the valley—were often at war. Now, the Tibetan bridge unites them in an eternal friendship,” says Borroi with a laugh.

Visit www.visitsellano.info to book tickets and find useful information, including interactive maps, weather conditions, and rules and restrictions for accessing the bridge. It is recommended you read these regulations before purchasing a ticket.

Main image from Jonathan Emili.