Ponte Sant’Angelo, also known as Pons Aelius (Aelian Bridge), Pons Hadriani (Hadrian’s Bridge) or Ponte di Castello (Castle Bridge), is an ancient bridge in Rome, which connects Piazza di Ponte Sant’Angelo to the Lungotevere Castello, in front of the Sant’Angelo Castle. SHORT HISTORY The bridge was built in the year 134 by the emperor Hadrian, based on a project by a certain Demetrianus, to connect his mausoleum, now Castel Sant’Angelo, to the left bank of the Tiber River. Ponte Sant’Angelo was covered with travertine and had three arches, which could be accessed by ramps. The ramps were supported by three minor arches on the left bank of the river and two on the right bank, but were destroyed in 1893 for the construction of the river banks. In July 472, the bridge was used by the Gothic troops of Ricimer to attack the eastern part of the city, defended by the Roman emperor Anthemius. In the Middle Ages, Ponte Sant’Angelo was used by pilgrims on their way to the Saint Peter’s Basilica, and was also known as the Bridge of Saint Peter (Pons Sancti Petri). In 1535, Pope Clement VII had the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Read more [...]
All Bridges in Rome
Rome’s most important bridges cross the Tiber and connect areas shaped by ancient, medieval, and Renaissance history. Ponte Sant’Angelo was built under Emperor Hadrian to link the city with his mausoleum, later Castel Sant’Angelo. Ponte Fabricio, completed in 62 BC, connects the Jewish Ghetto area with Tiber Island and remains Rome’s oldest bridge still in use.
Other notable bridges include Ponte Cestio, which links Tiber Island with Trastevere, and Ponte Sisto, built in the 15th century under Pope Sixtus IV. Ponte Milvio is one of Rome’s oldest northern crossings and is associated with the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Ponte Rotto preserves the remains of the ancient Pons Aemilius.