Ponte di Mezzo, Bridge in Parma, Italy.
Ponte di Mezzo is a stone arch bridge crossing the Parma River with two traffic lanes that accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians. Its construction uses brick and stone materials typical of historic river crossings, with the arched design supporting the structure across the waterway.
After a flood destroyed the ancient Roman bridge in 1177, this structure was built as its replacement. Over the centuries, it underwent multiple reconstructions and transformations, shifting from wooden to stone construction as the city's needs evolved.
This crossing has long divided Parma into two distinct parts, serving as a natural meeting point between residents of different neighborhoods on either side of the river. The bridge reflects how the city developed along both banks of the waterway.
The bridge is located along the Via Emilia route and serves as a main crossing point for both walkers and drivers moving between different parts of Parma. You can approach it easily on foot as part of exploring the city center and the neighborhoods on either side of the river.
A small chapel dedicated to Saint John Nepomuceno occupied the middle of this crossing until 1914, when it was removed during public protests and demonstrations. This chapel reflected the historical practice of placing shrines at river crossings where travel was considered perilous.
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