Ponte di Mezzo, Arch bridge in central Pisa, Italy.
Ponte di Mezzo is a reinforced concrete arch bridge that crosses the Arno River in the heart of Pisa, clad on its sides with white stone from Verona. It links Piazza Garibaldi to the north with Piazza XX Settembre to the south, carrying both pedestrians and vehicles.
The bridge at this site was destroyed in 1944 during World War II, cutting off the city's main river crossing. The current structure was built in 1950 after a public vote decided on its design.
Every June, the bridge becomes the stage for the Gioco del Ponte, a traditional contest in which teams from opposite sides of the city push a heavy cart against each other. The event draws large local crowds and shows how the old rivalry between north and south Pisa is still felt today.
The bridge sits in the heart of the old city and is easy to reach on foot from most central points of interest. Those who want to take in the river views should stay on the side walkways, away from the vehicle traffic.
The bridge marks the exact line that has traditionally divided Pisa into two communities, known as Tramontana to the north and Mezzogiorno to the south. This old boundary still shapes how the city sees itself today, going well beyond the annual contest.
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