These were sophisticated refinements of symbolism, but the religious dimensions of bridges and bridge-building were accessible even to the unlettered. Many bridges had small hermitage chapels built on or by them, and charitable contributions to the hermit secured his prayers for the donor and went to maintain the bridge. — The Stripping of the Altars by Eamon Duffy

(1) Watching the riots in France and reminded of The Story of Our Lady of a Happy Death: Notre Dame du Bien Mourir.

The scan is from Wisdom of the Monastery.