Ponte a bilanciere di Caposile, Counter-weighted bridge in Caposile, Musile di Piave, Italy.
The Ponte a bilanciere di Caposile is a bascule bridge spanning the Old Piave River and connecting the municipalities of San Donà and Musile. Its metal structure features movable central platforms that were historically raised by a counterweight system to allow boats to pass underneath.
The bridge was constructed between 1925 and 1927 under engineer Giuseppe Pasquali's design. It was dedicated to General Armando Diaz, who commanded Italian forces during World War I.
The bridge's design resembles the Langlois Bridge that inspired Vincent van Gogh's paintings during his time in France. This similarity made it a notable reference point for understanding early 20th-century engineering and artistic interest in functional structures.
You can find this bridge on Via IV Novembre in Caposile, making it straightforward to locate. A restoration completed in 2015, funded jointly by both municipalities, improved access and structural conditions.
The bridge operated with a manual counterweight lifting system that remained functional until 1957, when river traffic ceased. This engineering approach from the 1920s shows how designers balanced the needs of both boat and vehicle traffic.
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