Enchanting Italian bridges

The entire Italy offers a variety of spectacular bridges. Special connection that especially in Medieval times allowed the mass, merchants, soldiers, kings to move easily from one side to another of the Italian peninsula.

Let’s buckle up our seat belts on and let virtually take a tour to these amazing bridges!

Ponte Gervasio Gorge, Claviere

The Claviere Bridge is longer than 500 meters. Starts from Turin to few steps away from the France border.

It’s definitely tight, only one person at the time, and once you decide to walk through this special passage, you can clearly see the wild nature of St. Gervasio gorge underneath your feet between its chains.

This bridge was built in 2006 by the European Union and it is considered the longest suspended bridge in the world.

Gervasio Gorge

Ponte Castelvecchio, Verona

The Castel Vecchio Bridge or known also as Scaliger Bridge is a fortified bridge in Verona, northern Italy, over the Adige River.

It was built around 1350, but then completely destroyed during the end on the 2nd World War. Even though, around 1950 the architect Libero Cecchini reconstructed it, it is considered one of the most beautiful, most medieval, most arched bridge of all.

Fortress and bridge of old town of Verona city.

Ponte Saint Martin, Valle d’Aosta

The Pont-Saint-Martin is a Roman segmental arch bridge in the Aosta Valley in Italy dating to the 1st century BC.

Legend says that the bridge was built by the devil, and deceived by San Martino.

Pont-Saint-Martin, was named after the Saint-Martin lords from the Bard dynasty, later successors were the Savoy household. It is a great place to visit full of history, nature, and amazing view of the old center.

Ancient roman bridge over torrent Lys in Pont Saint Martin, Italy

Ponte di Gaiola, Napoli

It is a special bridge which connects the land of Naples to the tiny Gaiola island.

The island is at the Underwater Park of Gaiola, a protected marine reserve.

This area features snorkeling along with boat tours of above and below sea level of Roman ruins.

Passing through this bridge will give you the option to see the Gulf of Naples with its so unique skyline made of sea, island, lands, and Mount Vesuvius.

Gaiola island and ancient Roman ruins, Gulf of Naples, Italy

Ponte Vecchio, Firenze

One of the most well-known tourist destinations.

Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was the only bridge across the Arno River in Florence until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345, also, it was the only bridge across the Arno that the fleeing Germans did not destroy.

There have been shops on Ponte Vecchio since the 13th century. Initially, there were all types of shops, such as: butchers and fishmongers, then in 1593, King Ferdinand I decreed those only goldsmiths and jeweler be allowed to have their shops on the bridge.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Ponte di Rialto, Venezia

Hot spot for travelers of all around the world.

The Rialto bridge was built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called also Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of custom duty had been covered near its entrance.

This bridge was rebuilt many times, because many times collapsed. The present stone bridge, the one known all around the world, is a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was constructed in 1588 and was completed in 1591.

Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy

Ponte Sant’Angelo, Roma

One of the oldest Italian bridges that you will find in Rome, Italy.

It was completed in 134 AD by Roman Emperor Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus), to span the Tiber from the city center to his newly constructed mausoleum, now the towering Castel Sant’Angelo.

This bridge took place after mad emperor Nero burnt the city down. Pilgrims, then were forced to use this bridge to reach St Peter’s Basilica, hence it was known also with the name of “bridge of Saint Peter.”

The bridge now, it’s exclusively a pedestrian area and it offers a scenic view of the enchanting Castel Sant’Angelo.

Sant’ Angelo bridge, Rome, Italy

Ponte di Tiberio, Rimini

It is known also as or Bridge of Augustus, it is a Roman bridge in Rimini, Italy. It features five beautiful semicircular arches.

This construction took some time, because it started under emperor Augustus, and it was completed with emperor Tiberius’ jurisdiction. Also, this amazing stone architecture was destroyed by German during World War II.

However, it was fixed and now pedestrian and cars cand drive through it.

Tiberio bridge, Rimini Italy

Ponte della Maddalena, Lucca

One of the numerous medieval bridges. It is known also as the “Bridge of the Devil.”

However, Ponte della Maddalena takes its name after Mary Magdalene.

In fact, a statue stands at the bottom of the bridge. This, was a medieval route taken especially by merchant, soldiers, and pilgrim who intended to pay a visit to Rome, or to go up north to France. It is highly possible that its construction was commissioned by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany c. 1080-1100.

Magdalene bridge, Lucca, Italy

Ponte dell’Ammiraglio, Palermo

It was completed in 1131, a year after the coronation of Roger II as first King of Sicily.

According to a legend, the bridge is situated in the place where the Archangel Michael appeared to the Norman Count Roger I of Sicily helping him to conquer Palermo, at that time of the Islamic.

Thanks to its strategic position, on 27 May 1860, the bridge was the place of a famous battle between the Red Shirts of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the army of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies during the Expedition of the Thousand.

The Admiral bridge keeps the pride to have witnessed many phases of the Italian history. In 2015 was it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Admiral bridge, Palermo, Italy

ALM

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A tour of Christmas Villages 2019 around Italy

For a couple of weeks, we have been hearing people humming on the street Christmas tunes, cities have been more colorful with red bows or their lighted up trees, and also, we have been somehow hearing strangers using Christmas ring tones. Well, with today, we can definitely confirm that the month of December has finally arrived.

It does not want to be a cliché, but we are merrier on Christmas season. Everything looks brighter, and our time is usually spent with our closest ones. It is not a case that December has been considered as a high peak season for families and friends to stay together on vacation.

In case you are planning to visit Italy, this is definitely a magic time to go. From North to South, you may want to have some time for Christmas street markets. We would like to indicate you few unmissable places.

Christkindlmarkt, it is a yearly event staged in Bolzano (Trentino Alto Adige) from the end of November, until January 6th. You may have the chance to check on gastronomy stands, along with small business specialized also to children’s interests such as: the miniature trains. On the streets you may smell the sweet strudel, mulled wine, and apple juice.

Stunning Bolzano scenary

Christmas Village in Ascoli Piceno (Marche) from December 1st to January 6th.  In the main Plaza Arringo, you may take a tour on the miniature wooden towns, take a stroll in the main streets where you can purchase several unique Christmas gifts, and you may take some time to ice skate, too. In case you plan to stay for a couple of days, you may not want to miss to deliver your mail to Santa Claus’ house, and participate the alive Nativity.

Christmas street festival in the warmer capital Rome, you may see this special time of the year in one of the most enchanting places of the world: Piazza Navona. This event is going to start December 2nd and will come to an end on January 6th. Music, lights, stores, will be an amazing scene of this last part of the 2019.

Enchanting Piazza Navona

San Gregorio Armeno, Napoli (Campania) is one of the most beautiful stops you may need to take if you land to the “Sun country”. This specific street has centuries of Christmas Nativity tradition. You will find in every shop Christmas Nativity character and each of them are exclusively hand-made. Besides, Neapolitan handcrafter are well known also to place anyone else into the Nativity scene. You may surprisingly see Napoli soccer players, Queen Elizabeth, Roberto Benigni, and many more mundane characters.

Unique narrow streets of San Gregorio Armeno, Napoli

We can tell that San Gregorio Armeno is opened the whole year round; therefore, you may visit 365 days per year. However, Christmas season has always a different and more special “flavor” to appreciate the charm of this great city.

Giotto Park Village. The stunning Palermo (Sicily) celebrates Christmas with spectacular markets. The Christmas Village will be on until January 6th.

These are opened to all ages, especially to the children who can take rides on many carousels. Another event you may not want to miss is to try the street Sicilian food and tasty wines. We can guarantee that the weather is not as inclement as the North of Italy, so walking around the markets will be a total fun. For this Christmas event, all the stores will be opened. Tourist, and local will be able to check on special gifts.

Antonia L Mosca

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