Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge in Italian) is a Roman arch bridge spanning the Adige River in Verona and is considered the oldest bridge in Verona. It is customary to date the bridge’s construction to 89 B.C. when Verona became a Latin colony.
Pietra Bridge has undergone countless upheavals and renovations, but it remains one of Verona’s most important and fascinating symbols. The impressive bridge is located at one of the best vantage points in the city and provides a panoramic view of Verona and its surroundings.
Ponta Pietra was next to Pons Postomios bridge, whose role was to provide the city’s residents with access to the eastern side of the Adige River. The bridge collapsed several times over the years due to river floods, and parts of it were restored or rebuilt. In 1945 the German army blew it up and destroyed it while fleeing Italy with the Allied troops. Only the right arch of the bridge survived the intense explosions.
In 1957, the reconstruction and renovation took about two years and finished on March 7, 1959. The restoration process involved collecting every original stone from the bridge found in the Adige River and carefully arranging the rocks to restore their original position. This is why the colors of the bridge today are not uniform, but each shade symbolizes a different period in the bridge’s history.
One of the favorite activities for tourists while walking on the bridge, besides taking pictures of the charming views of old Verona and the spiers of the many churches in the city, is to snack on local food purchased from one of the shops near the bridge, preferably accompanied by good wine. Nothing is more delightful than sitting on the banks of the overflowing river near the historic bridge with a delicate gelato ice cream or a rich and fragrant cheese and simply absorbing the romantic atmosphere of ancient Verona.
From Ponte Pietra, you can continue to the Romano Theater and the nearby museum or to Castelo San Pietro, the magnificent fortress you can reach on foot or by train and enjoy a breathtaking view of Verona and the surrounding area.
