Ponte della Vittoria

Ponte della Vittoria (Bridge of Victory) is a bridge in Verona, built across the Adige river. The bridge owes its name to the victory of Vittorio Veneto, a battle that led to the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the First World War.

SHORT HISTORY

In 1925, the Municipality of Verona announced a national competition for the construction of a monumental bridge to celebrate the Battle of Vittorio Veneto and the memory of the Veronese victims. The competition, attended by numerous designers, was won by the architect Ettore Fagiuoli and the engineer Ferruccio Cipriani.

The construction began on November 4, 1928, and was completed in 1931. The inauguration took place on November 4, 1929. The construction site of the bridge saw the destruction of some surrounding buildings.

On the night of April 25, 1945, the bridge was destroyed by the retreating Germans, along with all the other bridges in Verona, including Ponte di Castelvecchio. Only the right arch of the bridge remained intact, which was used by the Allies as a support for the construction of an iron bridge, indispensable for continuing the pursuit of the German troops.

In 1947, Ettore Fagiuoli redesigned the bridge, and on August 29, 1953, Ponte della Vittoria was reopened. The second inauguration of the bridge took place on May 24, 1955.

ARCHITECTURE

Ponte della Vittoria consists of 3 arches, with the lateral ones being 32 meters wide, while the central one is 35 meters in width. The internal concrete structure is covered with a stone similar to marble in color and texture.

At the two entrances to the bridge, there are four pillars, used to support as many groups of equestrian statues. These four groups, made of bronze, symbolize Victory.

On the base of the bridge, there is an inscription with the words of Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy, dedicated to the Italian soldiers.

HOW TO GET THERE

Ponte della Vittoria is located about 2 kilometers from the Verona Porta Nuova railway station. The closest bus stop is located near the bridge, in Piazzale Cadorna, on the bus Line 173. To find the bridge on foot, use the map below.