Ponte Clementino, Stone bridge in Civita Castellana, Italy.
Ponte Clementino is a stone bridge that spans across the Rio Maggiore valley, connecting two ridges of tuff rock. It uses a double-arch design and extends approximately 90 meters across the landscape at a height of about 40 meters.
Pope Clement XI commissioned architect Filippo Barigioni in 1709 to design this bridge to connect the old center with a new district. Following a major flood in 1861, the structure was rebuilt with a reduced height, changed from 54 meters to 40 meters.
The bridge reflects early 18th-century construction methods using materials and design elements common to this region. Visitors walking across can observe the practical approach to building with local stone that defines the area's architectural tradition.
The bridge functions as a main crossing with two lanes for vehicle traffic and connects to the Via Flaminia road. Access is available from both sides of the valley and gives views over the landscape from different vantage points.
After the 1861 flood, the bridge gained a travertine gate as part of its reconstruction, not just a height reduction. This detail is often overlooked but shows how the structure was adapted to the flooding risks of the area.
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