Ponte Scaligero

Bridge in Verona

Verona Ponte Scaligero
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Arne Müseler

The Ponte di Castel Vecchio or Castel Vecchio Bridge or Scaliger Bridgeis a fortified bridge in Verona, northern Italy, over the Adige River. The segmental arch bridge featured the world’s largest span at the time of its construction (48.70 m).

It was built (most likely in 1354-1356) by Cangrande II della Scala, to grant him a safe way of escape from the annexed eponymous castle in the event of a rebellion of the population against his tyrannic rule. The solidity of the construction allowed it to resist untouched until, in the late 18th century, the French troops destroyed the tower on the left bank (although it probably dated from the occupation of Verona by the Visconti or the Republic of Venice).

The bridge was however totally destroyed, along with the Ponte Pietra, by the retreating German troops on April 24, 1945. The bridge’s reconstruction by architect Libero Cecchini began in 1949 and completed in 1951, with the exception of the left tower.


The Ponte Scaligero appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Verona!

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Visiting Ponte Scaligero

Hours:

24 hours


Price:

Free

Address: Ponte Scaligero, Corso Castelvecchio, Verona, VR, Italy
Duration: 20 minutes

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