Ponte Sant'Angelo

"Ponte Sant'Angelo, also known as the Bridge of Saint Angel, is an ancient Roman bridge that spans the Tiber River in Rome, Italy. It was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 134 AD to connect the city center with his newly constructed mausoleum, now the Castel Sant'Angelo. The bridge is faced with travertine marble and spans the Tiber with five arches, three of which are Roman; it was approached by means of a ramp from the river. The bridge is now solely pedestrian and provides a scenic view of Castel Sant'Angelo. The bridge was originally called Pons Aelius, after Hadrian's family name. In the 6th century AD, it was renamed Ponte Sant'Angelo after a statue of the archangel Michael was placed on the bridge to commemorate the end of a plague. The statue is now in the church of Sant'Angelo in Borgo, but a copy stands in its place on the bridge. Ponte Sant'Angelo has been a popular pilgrimage site for centuries. Pilgrims would walk across the bridge on their way to St. Peter's Basilica. The bridge was also a popular spot for executions in the Middle Ages. Today, Ponte Sant'Angelo is a popular tourist destination. It offers stunning views of Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican City. The bridge is also a popular spot for wedding photos. Here are some additional details about Ponte Sant'Angelo: The bridge is 621 meters long and 13.5 meters wide. The bridge is decorated with ten statues of angels, which were added in the 17th century. The bridge is lit up at night, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. Ponte Sant'Angelo is a historic and beautiful bridge that is worth a visit when in Rome. It is a great place to enjoy the views of the city and to learn about its rich history. "