Ponte Sanguinario, Roman bridge ruins in Spoleto, Italy.
Ponte Sanguinario is a Roman bridge made from travertine stone that stretches 24 meters long and rises 8.07 meters high. Three semicircular arches form its main structure, though restoration work in recent decades has affected its original appearance.
The structure was built during Emperor Augustus' reign around 27 BC as a crossing point for traffic in the Roman settlement. It lay buried underground for centuries until excavation work in 1817 brought it back to light.
The bridge carries stories about Saint Ponziano, Spoleto's patron saint, whose execution at this site has shaped how local people understand this ancient structure. These religious connections give the place deeper meaning for residents and visitors alike.
You can reach the underground sections by descending a short iron-railed staircase located near Piazza della Vittoria. The site sits close to Porta Leonina and the San Gregorio Maggiore Basilica, making it easy to combine with other visits in the area.
The central pillar contains a water drainage tunnel designed by Roman engineers to manage water flow beneath the bridge. This hidden feature reveals the practical thinking that went into the original construction.
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