Bridge made of string: Peruvians weave 500-year-old Incan crossing back into place

[Judi Lynn]

Q’eswachaka bridge connected communities divided by Apurimac river before falling into disrepair because of pandemic

Reuters in Lima
Tue 15 Jun 2021 20.04 EDT



Peruvians re-weave Incan hanging bridge spanning river – video

Reuters in Lima
Tue 15 Jun 2021 20.04 EDT

Peruvians from the Huinchiri community in Cusco region are rebuilding a 500-year-old Incan hanging bridge, made using traditional weaving techniques to string a crossing together spanning the Apurimac river far below.

The Q’eswachaka bridge has been used for over 500 years to connect communities divided by the river. But during the Covid pandemic it fell into disrepair and collapsed in March.

Members of the affected communities, such as the Huinchiri, decided to rebuild the 30-meter (98.43 ft) long bridge in the traditional Incan style: by weaving it.



Members of the Huinchiri community rebuild the Qeswachaka bridge in Canas province, Peru. The bridge spans the Apurimac river. Photograph: Cusco Regional Government/Reuters

Teams of workers, starting from both sides of the ravine and balancing on giant main ropes that had been stretched over the river, worked towards the centre, putting in place smaller ropes as barriers between the handrail ropes and the walkway’s floor.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/16/bridge-made-of-string-peruvians-weave-500-year-old-incan-crossing-back-into-place