Ponte Sant’Angelo or The “Bridge of Angels”

Ponte Sant’Angelo –  “Bridge of Angels”

Ten strikingly beautiful angel sculptures ,designed by famous sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, line the spectacular travertine marble made “Ponte Sant’Angelo” or “Bridge of Angels” in Rome. Each sculptured angel symbolizes a part from the story of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death by crucifixion. Statues of the saints Peter and Paul watch over the entrance way of the bridge.

History of the bridge

The 1349 bridge was built in between the banks of the Tiber river in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian in order to connect the center of Antique Rome with his newly built mausoleum (today better known as Castel Sant’Angelo). At the time the bridge was known as the “Aelian Bridge”, which simply meant “Bridge of Hadrian”. For many years the bridge was used as a passageway for Christian pilgrims on their way to St. Peter’s Basilica. The current name of Sant’Angelo is used since the 7th century for a legend in which Archangel Michael was seen atop the castle with his sword drawn to indicate the ending of the plague of 590 AD. The impressive Statue of Michael can now be seen on top of Castel Sant.Angelo, facing the bridge. During the 16th century, the bridge was used as a place to display bodies of the executed in order to convey a warning to the people.

The Angels

In 1669, Pope Clement IX had commissioned the making of the sculptures we can appreciate today along the bridge, by famed Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who decided to perfectly fit the statues with the bridge’s name and purpose. Bernini himself only finished the actual making of two angels – the Angel with the Superscription “I.N.R.I.” and the angel with the Crown of Thorns (these two though were kept by Clement IX for his own pleasure. They are now visible in the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte), Non the less Bernini’s design and vision of the bridge were kept in mind and were brought to life by his successors.

We will pass by the Sant’Angelo Bridge on our following Segway Tour:

All Rome Segway Tour

10 Facts About The Pantheon

Even today, almost 2000 years after its construction, the breathtaking pantheon is a remarkable building to see. The spectacular design, proportions, elegance and harmony are a striking reminder of the architecture of the great Roman Empire… Continue Reading…

7 Facts about the Spanish Steps

With its irregular butterfly design, the beautiful “Scalina Spagna”, or Spanish Steps are just one of these must see places when in Rome and a great example of Roman Baroque Style… Continue Reading…

10 Facts about Julius Caesar

The people of Rome gave him titles, honors and more power than anyone else in their history but who was the man behind? His influence today might be more prevalent than you think. Even the King of Diamonds in the traditional pack of playing cards is meant to represent him. Continue Reading…

Appian Way, the Queen of Roads

Lately there was quite an interest with our Sunday Appian way Segway Tour, a good enough reason to add some words about the Remarkable yet less visited Via Appia Antica, with its History and Catacombs… Continue Reading…

Bernini’s Minerva Chick

Adjacent to the pantheon, in front of the Dominican church “Santa Maria Sopra La Minerva” (St.Mary Over Minerva), lies one of the most curious monuments of Rome, the so called “Pulcino della Minerva”, or in english – Minervas Chick. The brilliantly carved and very realistic … Continue Reading…

The Turtle Fountain

Many travelers wandering around Rione Sant’Angelo, more commonly referred as the Jewish Ghetto, tend to miss one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome, The small “Fontana delle Tartarughe” or “Fontana Tortoise”, better known as the Turtle Fountain… Continue Reading…

Rome’s ‘Talking’ Baboon Fountain

Er Babuino – The baboon Rome is famous for its marvelous fountains, but there is one that doesn’t shine for beauty, and it is the “Fontana del Babuino” – “The Baboon Fountain”… Continue Reading…