Beth over at, I didn’t have my glasses on, shares this incredible story about a very old bridge.

Even more amazing, to me, is the fact that generations of families and neighbours have maintained that bridge for 500 years.

At a time when people struggle to maintain personal relationships and community ties, this bridge is evidence that long-term partnerships are not only possible, but can last a half millennia!

I didn't have my glasses on....

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the only remaining incan rope bridge

the Q’eswachaka rope bridge, suspended over the apurímac river in peru, is a piece of living history. it is the last of the rope bridges that once connected the incan road system, and dates back about five centuries. rebuilt from twisted cords of grass by residents each year, it is a piece of history that is not only still in use, but regularly renewed.

the bridge—spanning 118 feet and composed of local grasses—is remarkably sturdy: it can hold thousands of pounds of tension. but perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Q’eswachaka is the local community’s ongoing dedication to keeping it in working order.

 the bridge, though strong, only has a lifespan of one to two years before it begins to weaken. since the structure was first built nearly half a millennium ago, residents of nearby towns have fastidiously rebuilt it hundreds of times…

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