Ponte Sant’Angelo
Vespa Tour in Rome: Explore Ponte Sant’Angelo and the wonders of Rome on a Vespa! Discover the Eternal City from a unique perspective with our guided tour. Alternatively rent a Rome tour scooter, visit Ponte Sant’Angelo and Rome’s main attractions, the perfect way to get around and experience the city in freedom. You love to relax choose a bike tour and discover the sights of Rome, including Ponte Sant’Angelo and the striking Castel Sant’Angelo or explore Rome in style aboard a tuk-tuk and stop at Ponte Sant’Angelo to discover its history and legends. Perfect for those who want an original experience.
What you need to know about Ponte Sant'Angelo
Ponte Sant’Angelo, also known as Ponte Elio, is one of Rome’s most iconic bridges, located across the Tiber River. Built in 134 AD at the behest of Emperor Hadrian, it connected the center of the city to his mausoleum, now known as Castel Sant’Angelo. This bridge, made of travertine, is adorned with ten statues of angels, designed by the famous artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, during the papacy of Clement IX. Each angel holds a symbol of Christ’s Passion, such as the crown of thorns, the cross, and nails, making the bridge a work of art and devotion. Today, Ponte Sant’Angelo is a popular tourist attraction and a symbolic place, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the Tiber and Castel Sant’Angelo, once a papal fortress and now a museum.
Origin and Historical Function: Ponte Sant’Angelo was originally called Ponte Elio, in honor of Hadrian’s family name, Aelius. It was built to facilitate access to Hadrian’s Mausoleum, where the emperor himself wished to be buried. In time, the mausoleum was transformed into a papal fortress, while the bridge became a pilgrimage route to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Religious Symbolism: The statues of the angels along the bridge were added during the pontificate of Pope Clement IX, who commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to create a series of sculptures depicting the angels with symbols of the Passion of Christ. Bernini himself sculpted two of the angels, but because they were considered too precious, they were replaced by copies, while the originals are preserved in the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte in Rome.
Significance for Pilgrimage: In the Middle Ages, Ponte Sant’Angelo was an obligatory crossing point for pilgrims heading to St. Peter’s. During the Holy Year, the bridge was particularly busy, so much so that it was widened to facilitate the passage of the faithful.
Legend of Archangel Michael: The bridge owes its current name to a legend dating back to 590 AD. During a plague, Pope Gregory the Great had a vision of Archangel Michael at the top of the mausoleum as he put away his sword, interpreted as a sign of the end of the plague. Since then, the mausoleum was called Castel Sant’Angelo and the bridge was named Ponte Sant’Angelo.
Architecture and Restoration: Ponte Sant’Angelo is about 135 meters long and was restored several times over the centuries, especially after parts collapsed during the early Middle Ages. Despite the changes, it has retained the original Roman structure, including the use of arches and travertine.
Today the bridge is closed to vehicular traffic and is accessible only to pedestrians, offering a unique and evocative route that combines history, art, and spirituality.
Curiosities
The Bridge of Executions: During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the bridge was known as a place for public executions. Those sentenced to death were executed and their bodies left exposed on the bridge as a warning. It is said that until the 19th century, the heads of the executed were hung along the parapet.
Games of Angels: The statues of angels on the bridge are depicted in dynamic poses and with deep expressions, as if they were interacting with each other. Bernini, with his talent for dramatic realism, succeeded in bringing the angels to life, making them appear to be in motion and arousing emotions in viewers crossing the bridge.
Film and Literature: Ponte Sant’Angelo has inspired numerous artists, writers and filmmakers. It has appeared in several film and literary works, including Dan Brown’s novel Angels and Demons, in which it represents a crucial stage in the search for the symbols of the Illuminati Order.
Pilgrimage Tradition: In the Jubilee of 1300, decreed by Pope Boniface VIII, there was such an influx of pilgrims headed to St. Peter’s that the bridge was strengthened to allow safer transit. Every Jubilee since then, the bridge has seen millions of pilgrims cross it to gain plenary indulgences.
Statue of Archangel Michael: On the top of Castel Sant’Angelo is a bronze statue of Archangel Michael commemorating the angel’s appearance during the plague of 590 AD. The present statue, sculpted in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt, shows the archangel placing his sword back in its scabbard, symbolizing the end of the plague.
The Engraved Scriptures: Some Latin inscriptions are found on the bases of the statues of the angels. They are phrases related to the Passion of Christ and invite pilgrims to reflect on the moments of His suffering. It is a way to spiritually guide those crossing the bridge to the nearby St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope’s Intervention to Prevent Flooding: Due to frequent flooding of the Tiber River, the bridge was reinforced and raised at various times, especially in 1892 when Pope Leo XIII ordered modifications to make it more durable. Thanks in part to these interventions, the bridge has endured for nearly two thousand years, maintaining its original appearance.
A Bridge for Papal Celebrations: Over the centuries, Ponte Sant’Angelo has been decorated for important religious celebrations. Famous were the papal processions that crossed the bridge to reach St. Peter’s, often accompanied by shows and fireworks.
These details add charm and mystery to Ponte Sant’Angelo, making it much more than just a link between the banks of the Tiber: it is a bridge rich in history, art and legends, reflecting the events and spirit of the eternal city.
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