A imponente Ponte do Funil

FUNIL BRIDGE Today we will learn about the history of the dangerous Funil Bridge, an enigmatic, legendary place with a sad end. Since its construction, the Funil Bridge has been a postcard image of Lavras, Minas Gerais. Located in the municipalities of Lavras and Perdões, it was very popular with tourists and the general population of the region. The Funil Bridge received this name because it was built where the Grande River narrowed, accompanied by strong rapids, resembling the shape of a funnel. A dangerous place where the force of the water was so great that large hollows were carved into the rigid rocks. The first Funil Bridge, made entirely of wood, was commissioned in 1844 by the Lavras native Commander José Esteves de Andrade Botelho, and its construction was completed in 1869 when it served as a route for cattle drivers and muleteers from various parts of Minas Gerais, according to historical records made by Professor Firmino Costa. The Funil Bridge likely also served as a transshipment point for cargo on the Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas railway, as the railway passed alongside it on its final destination, the city of Ribeirão Vermelho, Minas Gerais. The famous narrow-gauge locomotives, the 76 cm steam locomotives, certainly stopped and unloaded some cargo to be transported across the bridge, since the Ribeirão Vermelho bridge was only built later, in 1892. In 1906, a major flood occurred, and because it was made of wood, the bridge collapsed. Its reconstruction took place between 1907 and 1908, with the support of the then politician Francisco Sales. The new bridge was brought directly from England and assembled with the help of English workers. Now built of pure steel, 125 meters long, supported by five stone pillars made with mortar based on whale oil, the Funil Bridge was considered a great feat of engineering for its time. The bridge was of great economic and logistical importance to the region, as it was the main crossing point over the Rio Grande until the construction of the bridge over the Fernão Dias highway in 1959. In 1992, the Funil Bridge withstood a terrible flood that almost swept it away. See a small excerpt of the resilience of this great engineering work: Until the end of the 1990s, its main attractions were fishing and the practice of extreme sports such as rappelling, canoeing and others. However, in 2002, the bridge was submerged due to the construction of the Funil Hydroelectric Plant and remains to this day in its submerged and eternal tomb, leaving behind fond memories for those who lived through that time... It is not because it is underwater that the bridge has lost its importance. Today it is considered one of the main diving spots in Minas Gerais, and even in Brazil, according to the Brasil Mergulho website. The degree of difficulty and technique required for diving makes it the perfect place for divers who want to improve in the sport, as the bridge is 20 meters deep and a total of 50 meters to the riverbed. The structure of the bridge, and the wealth of details found at the bottom of the dam, such as its structure and plates, are a feast for divers. In addition, aquatic life is very diverse. And you? Did you already know this story? Did you live through that time? Leave your story about the Funil Bridge in the comments and until next time! We try to show the constant movement of the local railway in our YouTube videos! When possible, we show old photos and videos of our region. #funnelbridge #training #railways #railway #train #locomotive #rffsa #wagons #oldphotos Visit my website and see old photos of the railway and the region: www.memoriasderibeiraovermelho.com.br ✅ This channel aims to share and preserve photos and videos for future generations of Ribeirão Vermelho and the surrounding region. ✅ The topics covered are old photos and videos of our region and railway material. ✅ We have no political, religious or social affiliation. We only share to preserve history. ✅ Share and spread the word about our channel:    / @memoriasderibeiraovermelho   (Keywords: railway memorial day, Ribeirão Preto, miniature trains, model railroading, EFOM, Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas, RMV, Rede Mineira de Viação, VFCO, Viação Ferrovia Centro Oeste, RFFSA, Rede Ferroviária Federal S.A., FCA) -Atlantic-Central-railway-VLI-value-of-integrated-logistics-railway-memories-of-Ribeirão-Vermelho-and-region-limestone-route-trails-wagons-train-diesel-locomotive-rotary-station-railway-yard-old-photos Day of the Ribeirão Vermelho Railway Memorial-Miniatures of Trains-Model Making-EFOM-West Minas Railway-RMV-Mineira-Viação-Network-VFCO-Viação-Ferrari-Center- west-rffsa-rede-ferroviária-federal-s-a-fca-ferrovia-centro-atlântica-vli-valor-da-logistics-integrated-ferrovia-memories-of-ribeirão-vermelho-and-region-rota-do-limestone-rails-cars-train-diesel-locomotive-station-roundabout-railyard-old-photos