Ponte di San Francesco di Paola, Steel swing bridge in Taranto, Italy
The Ponte di San Francesco di Paola is a steel structure spanning approximately 90 meters across a navigable canal, connecting the Old Town island to the New Town peninsula. The bridge consists of two rotating steel sections that pivot around central anchoring points on concrete quays, allowing passage for large vessels.
The bridge opened in 1887 under Admiral Ferdinando Acton and originally operated through hydraulic turbines powered by water from the neighboring Aragonese Castle. The system was later converted to electrical operation for automated opening and closing movements.
The bridge is named after Saint Francis of Paola, a revered holy figure in Southern Italy, connecting religious tradition with urban infrastructure. This naming reflects how religious devotion shaped the city's identity and development.
The bridge is operated from two control cabins and requires about 20 minutes to complete a full opening and closing cycle. Keep in mind that traffic stops during these maneuvers, so plan accordingly if you need to cross.
The bridge was specifically designed to allow military vessels access to the Naval Arsenal in the Mar Piccolo, unlike typical bridges built for general shipping traffic. This military purpose shaped its construction and continues to define its central role in the city.
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