Ships' Bridge

The Ponte delle Navi, located in the historic Veronetta area of Verona, is one of the most fascinating and significant bridges in the city, both from a historical and architectural point of view. Its origin dates back to ancient times: already in Roman times, there was probably a wooden bridge in the same spot, essential for connecting the two banks of the Adige and facilitating traffic along the Via Postumia. This ancient bridge allowed to avoid crossing the city center, thus streamlining the commercial traffic of the time. The documented history of the Ponte delle Navi begins in the Middle Ages. In 1153, a wooden bridge collapsed due to a river flood. Subsequently, in 1373, Cansignorio della Scala ordered the reconstruction of the bridge, this time in masonry, entrusting the project to the architects Giovanni da Ferrara and Jacopo di Gozo. The new bridge had four arches and a central tower, a symbol of power and control over the territory. Over the centuries, the Ponte delle Navi has undergone numerous damages and reconstructions. In 1757, a devastating flood severely damaged the bridge, tilting the central tower which was later demolished. Reconstruction works were carried out by the engineer Adriano Cristofoli, who restored the bridge while maintaining much of its original structure. In the 19th century, following the catastrophic flood of 1882, the bridge was again damaged and demolished in 1892 to make way for the new masonry embankments, called “muraglioni.” Based on the project of the engineer Alessandro Peretti, a new 90-meter-long and 12-meter-wide metal bridge was built. However, the rapid deterioration of the iron and the changing traffic needs led to a further reconstruction in 1936, with a bridge designed by the architect Arturo Midana, characterized by a marble cladding and light metal railings. During World War II, on the night between April 24 and 25, 1945, retreating German soldiers blew up the bridge along with other bridges in Verona. The Ponte delle Navi was rebuilt after the war, using cement and brick to better integrate chromatically with the church of San Fermo Maggiore. The new bridge was inaugurated on August 8, 1949 and still retains its solid and functional appearance. In addition to its architectural relevance, the Ponte delle Navi has great historical and social importance. Nearby was one of the five Verona toll control points, the Ponte delle Navi customs house, which was responsible for inspecting goods coming from Venice and distributing salt in the surrounding areas. This crucial role in the medieval economy highlights the strategic importance of the bridge. A particularly significant anecdote related to the bridge concerns Bartolomeo Rubele, a humble porter who in 1757, during one of the river floods, managed to save numerous people using ropes and improvised ladders to reach the tilted tower of the bridge. For his heroic gesture, he was triumphantly welcomed by the population, an episode that has remained in the city’s collective memory and emphasizes the importance of the bridge not only as a physical structure but also as a symbol of solidarity and courage.