Ponte dell'Abbadia, Roman arch bridge in Vulci, Italy
Ponte dell'Abbadia is a Roman stone bridge crossing the Fiora stream at Vulci, built from precisely cut blocks fitted together without mortar. A single large arch supports the bridge deck, spanning the riverbed below.
Built in the 1st century BC, this bridge served as a passage for trade goods and travelers moving through the Roman landscape. It formed part of a network of routes connecting communities across the region.
The name references a Benedictine abbey that once stood nearby, linking this place to both Roman and medieval history. Today, people visit to walk across a structure that connects them directly to the ancient world.
The bridge sits within an archaeological park near Montalto di Castro and is reachable by following marked pathways through the area. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and the ancient stones can be slippery underfoot.
The bridge has endured without mortar binding its stones, relying entirely on the precision of its stonecutting and the weight of the arch to hold itself together. This method of construction proves so effective that the structure remains as solid today as when it was first completed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
