Italy Switzerland border crossing #815, international road bridge in Lavena Ponte Tresa, Italy and Ponte Tresa, Switzerland

Italy Switzerland border crossing #815 is a small road bridge across the Tresa River between Lavena Ponte Tresa and Switzerland. The approximately 60 meter long structure serves cars and pedestrians who commute daily between the two countries.

A bridge is documented at this crossing by the 9th century, and a new one was built around 1000; Frederick Barbarossa crossed it in 1155. Rebuilt in the mid-1400s, it became a state border with the Perpetual Peace of 1516 between Switzerland and the Duchy of Milan. The 1847 bridge was demolished in 1961 and replaced by the current reinforced-concrete span, opened in 1962.

The medieval bridge belonged to the Archdiocese of Milan and was given in the 16th century to the local de Stoppani and Crivelli families, who kept it until 1828, when it passed to the canton. The 1516 Perpetual Peace between Switzerland and the Duchy of Milan made the crossing a state border.

The current 60-metre reinforced-concrete bridge, opened in 1962, carries the road across the Tresa between Lavena Ponte Tresa and Ponte Tresa; walkers and drivers cross it directly between the two towns. Until the Melide dam bridge opened on Lake Lugano in 1847, this crossing was the easiest road route linking Varese, the Mendrisiotto and Como with Bellinzona.

Until the Melide dam bridge opened on Lake Lugano in 1847, this crossing was the easiest road route linking Varese, the Mendrisiotto and Como with Bellinzona. The medieval bridge belonged to the Archdiocese of Milan, which gave it in the 16th century to the de Stoppani and Crivelli families; they held it until 1828, when it passed to the canton.