Name: St. Angelo Bridge
Address: Ponte Sant'Angelo, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Rating: 4.7

Pedestrian bridge, built in 134 A.D., with travertine marble fascias & spanning the River Tiber.

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The Ponte Sant'Angelo, originally known as the Aelian Bridge or Pons Aelius, was completed in 134 AD by Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Construction Date

The bridge was built to connect the city center to Emperor Hadrian's newly constructed mausoleum, now known as Castel Sant'Angelo.

Emperor's Mausoleum

The bridge spans the Tiber River with five arches, three of which are Roman.

Arches

Today, the Ponte Sant'Angelo is solely pedestrian and offers a scenic view of Castel Sant'Angelo.

Modern Use

In the early Middle Ages, the bridge was known as the 'bridge of Saint Peter' as pilgrims used it to reach St. Peter's Basilica.

Pilgrim's Path

In the sixth century, the bridge and the castle took on the name Sant'Angelo due to a legend that an angel appeared on the castle's roof to announce the end of a plague.

Legend of the Plague

During the 1300 jubilee, due to the large number of pilgrims, two separate lanes were arranged on the bridge.

Jubilee Lanes

St. Angelo Bridge

St. Angelo Bridge, a Roman marvel, is uniquely adorned with ten angels designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his workshop. However, Bernini himself only completed two: the Angel with the Crown of Thorns and the Angel with the Superscription (the scroll bearing the inscription "I.N.R.I."). These originals were deemed too precious for outdoor exposure and were replaced with copies; the originals now reside in the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte. The bridge's foundation, originally built by Emperor Hadrian to connect his mausoleum (now Castel Sant'Angelo) to the city center, predates the angelic additions by over a millennium. What many overlook is the bridge's role as a crucial processional route for pilgrims heading to St. Peter's Basilica, a function it served for centuries, long before its Baroque transformation. Each angel holds an instrument of Christ's Passion, creating a dramatic visual narrative of the crucifixion as one approaches the Vatican. The bridge's travertine stone, sourced from Tivoli, contributes to its luminous appearance, especially during sunset, casting an ethereal glow upon the angelic figures.

Introduction

Originally named Pons Aelius, the St. Angelo Bridge owes its existence to Emperor Hadrian, who commissioned its construction in 134 AD. Designed by the architect Demeterianus, the bridge served as a vital link connecting the city center, specifically the Campus Martius, to Hadrian's newly erected mausoleum, now known as the Castel Sant'Angelo. Constructed from peperino and travertine, the Aelius Bridge featured three primary arches, a testament to Roman engineering.

Over time, the bridge's function evolved. By the late Roman Empire, it became a crucial path for pilgrims heading to St. Peter's Basilica, leading to its renaming as Pons Sancti Petri. A pivotal moment occurred in 590 AD when Pope Gregory the Great, during a procession to ward off a plague, envisioned Archangel Michael atop Hadrian's Mausoleum, signaling the epidemic's end. This event ultimately led to the bridge acquiring its current name, Ponte Sant'Angelo.

Despite its sacred associations, the bridge witnessed tragedy. During the Jubilee of 1450, overcrowding caused the parapets to collapse, resulting in numerous fatalities. Subsequently, Pope Nicholas V initiated restoration efforts, widening the bridge to accommodate the flow of pilgrims. The original design included smaller arches and ramps, but these were later removed in the 19th century to accommodate the construction of the Tiber embankments. Today, the three central arches remain as original features from Hadrian's era.

Aelius Bridge History

Originally named the Aelius Bridge, its construction between 123 and 135 AD by Emperor Hadrian was intended to connect his mausoleum, now Castel Sant’Angelo, to Campo Marzio. Built with peperino stone and travertine, the bridge initially featured three main arches and two smaller ones. Its design facilitated access to the Mole Adriana, marking a significant feat of Roman engineering.

Over the centuries, the bridge underwent several transformations, reflecting Rome's evolving religious and cultural landscape. In the Middle Ages, it became a crucial link to the Vatican, known as Ponte di San Pietro due to the constant flow of pilgrims. A tragic incident during the Jubilee of 1450, where balustrades collapsed, led to modifications aimed at improving pilgrim flow, including the construction of chapels by Nicholas V.

A pivotal architectural shift occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries. Initially, statues of St. Peter and St. Paul replaced earlier chapels in 1533. Later, in 1669, Gian Lorenzo Bernini was commissioned to renovate the bridge, adding ten angel statues symbolizing the Passion of Christ, sculpted by his students. Bernini's personal contributions, the Angel with the Scroll and the Angel with the Crown of Thorns, were later replaced with copies to preserve the originals.

Further modifications took place in 1892 during the construction of the Lungotevere, which widened the Tiber riverbed. This necessitated the demolition of access ramps and the addition of two arches, resulting in the bridge's current five-arch structure, spanning 130 meters in length.

Architectural Evolution

Ponte Sant’Angelo, adorned with ten statues of angels, presents a compelling artistic and historical narrative. These angels, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, each bear a symbol of Christ's Passion. Executed largely by Bernini's pupils, the statues contribute significantly to the bridge's aesthetic and spiritual significance. Among them, the angel holding the column, sculpted by Antonio Raggi, bears the inscription "My throne is in the column," drawn from the Book of Sirach. Lazzaro Morelli's angel carries the scourge, with an inscription from Psalm 37, "I am ready for the scourge."

Bernini himself, with assistance from Paolo Naldini, carved the angel with the crown of thorns, referencing Psalm 31 with the inscription "In my tribulation the thorn is thrust." Cosimo Fancelli's angel holds the Veronica Veil, inscribed with "Look upon the face of your Christ." Another angel by Paolo Naldini displays Jesus' tunic and dice, quoting Matthew's Gospel, "Over my robe they cast their lot." Girolamo Lucenti's angel holds the nails of the crucifixion, with Zechariah's words, "They turn their eyes to me whom they crucified." Ercole Ferrata's angel carries the cross, inscribed with Isaiah's "His kingdom is loaded on his shoulders." Giulio Cartari copied Bernini's original angel with the scroll bearing the INRI inscription, accompanied by the hymn Vexilla regis, "God reigned of the cross." These angelic figures, with their detailed symbols and inscriptions, transform the bridge into a powerful representation of religious history and artistic mastery.

Angels Statues

The Bridge of Castel Sant'Angelo, historically known as Ponte Sant'Angelo, holds a significant place as part of the papal escape route. This route includes the "Passetto di Borgo," an 800-meter elevated corridor connecting the Vatican Walls to Castel Sant'Angelo, offering a secure passage during perilous times. Pope Nicholas III initiated its construction in 1277, recognizing the need for a swift and safe escape route.

Several popes utilized this passage during critical moments. Pope Alexander VI Borgia employed it to reach the castle's prison, while Pope Clement VII famously fled through it during the Sack of Rome in 1527, escaping the Landsknechts of Charles V. This event underscored the importance of the Passetto as a lifeline for the papacy.

The bridge's strategic location near St. Peter's Square and the Vatican made it an integral part of this escape plan. The presence of Castel Sant'Angelo as a fortress provided a secure refuge for the Pope. Upon returning from France, Pope Urban V understood that control over Rome was only guaranteed if he had the keys to the Castle.

Today, the "Passetto di Borgo" has been renovated and is accessible by appointment, offering visitors a glimpse into this secret passageway. Exploring the bridge and the Passetto provides a unique perspective on the history of Rome and the challenges faced by the papacy.

Papal Escape Route

Ponte Sant’Angelo, also known as the Bridge of Angels, has been a significant point on pilgrimage routes to the Vatican since the Middle Ages. Originally built as the Aelius Bridge by Emperor Hadrian to connect his mausoleum (now Castel Sant’Angelo) with the city, it later became a crucial passage for pilgrims heading to St. Peter's Basilica. Hordes of pilgrims would cross Ponte Elio every day on their way to the ancient Basilica di San Pietro, they begin to refer to that passage as pons Sancti Petri, Ponte di San Pietro.

During the Jubilee of 1450, a tragic accident occurred when the bridge's balustrades collapsed under the weight of too many pilgrims, resulting in numerous deaths. In response, houses at the bridge's entrance were demolished to ease pilgrim flow, and Nicholas V commissioned chapels in memory of the victims.

As part of the Way of the Pilgrim route for the Jubilee of Mercy, pilgrims would take Via Paola to reach the bridge, with Castel Sant'Angelo marking a key arrival point. From there, pilgrims would proceed along Via della Conciliazione to St. Peter's Square. The bridge is adorned with statues of St. Peter and St. Paul at one end, and ten statues of angels designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini line the parapets, further emphasizing its spiritual significance for those on a pilgrimage.

St. Angelo Bridge

Did You Know?

Construction Date

Emperor's Mausoleum

Arches

Modern Use

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