Pont Tibère, Roman bridge in Sommières, France
Pont Tiberre is a Roman stone bridge that once spanned 190 meters across the Vidourle River with 21 arches, though only 7 remain visible today. The other arches lie hidden within the basements and foundations of buildings constructed over the centuries on and around it.
Built in the 1st century, the bridge was part of a Roman road linking Nîmes to Toulouse and served as a key transportation route. Over centuries, medieval urban growth surrounded and incorporated it into the town's structure.
Medieval builders incorporated arches into house foundations, creating a rare inhabited bridge where Roman stone and medieval walls merge into the city's fabric. This blend of layers gives the area its distinctive character today.
Walk through the medieval old town to see the visible arches and stone walls clearly. For a fuller understanding, explore nearby cellars and courtyards where hidden sections of the Roman structure become apparent.
Recent 3D scanning revealed hidden vaults buried within nearby building basements that form part of the original Roman structure. These discoveries show how the bridge's engineering extends far deeper than what appears on the surface.
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