Photo: José Luiz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · editedScaligero Bridge
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José Luiz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Why go
- The 48.69-metre main arch, Europe's largest when completed.
- A bridge that stood undamaged for five centuries despite a severe flood.
Don't miss
- Brick and marbleRed brick rises above white marble arches and pier bases.The bridge's upper walls and lower structure
- Upstream-facing piersThe two pentagonal piers have pointed upstream faces shaped to help the Adige flow past.The upstream side of the bridge
- Castelvecchio keepBuilt in 1375, the keep also served as the bridge tower.The Castelvecchio end of the bridge
Interesting facts3
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120 metres
The bridge is 120 metres long and 6 metres wide.
Ponte Scaligero - Wikipedia -
29.15 and
Its two smaller segmental arches span 29.15 and 24 metres.
Ponte di Castelvecchio - Wikipedia -
Replacement stone for the reconstruction came from San Giorgio di Valpolicella; the quarry was identified by studying the stone's colours.
Ponte di Castelvecchio - Wikipedia
History
The bridge later served as a fortified city gate for travellers arriving from the north. Public crossing opened toward the end of the 19th century as military restrictions gradually ended.
- Mid-14th centuryCangrande II della Scala commissioned the bridge as an escape route from Castelvecchio. Its construction followed Fregnano della Scala’s failed coup attempt.
- 1802French forces cut down the countryside-side tower and removed battlements to install cannon batteries.
- 24 April 1945Retreating German troops destroyed the bridge.
- 1949–1951Faithful rebuilding returned surviving stone blocks to their original positions, without the left-bank tower. Restoration finished on 20 July 1951.
Sources: Castelvecchio Bridge - Wikipedia · Ponte Scaligero - Wikipedia · Pont Scaliger - Wikipedia · Ponte di Castelvecchio - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +390458068680
Questions and answers
Has Scaligero Bridge always been open to the public?
It was reserved for military use for centuries. Public crossing opened toward the end of the 19th century.
Why are Scaligero Bridge’s arches and piers different sizes?
Their sizes account for the different currents in this bend of the Adige.
Why is one arch of Scaligero Bridge so much larger?
The larger opening was sized to make boat passage easier.
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