Trepponti Bridge - a unique five-sided bridge (6 photos)

The Ponte dei Trepponti or Trepponti Bridge is a rare five-sided bridge located in Comacchio, Italy. Although the name "Trepponti", derived from the words tre (three) and ponti (bridge), suggests a three-sided bridge, there are actually five approaches. The prefix "tri-" refers to the division of the channel under the bridge.





The stone arched bridge was built in 1638 as part of the reconstruction of Comacchio, after the city was devastated by raids.



The architect Luca Danese was commissioned to draw up plans for the reconstruction of the city, and he designed the Trepponti Bridge as part of the new fortifications. The Ravenna architect was at the same time engaged in a large-scale reconstruction of the city's buildings, which had been significantly damaged by Venetian raids. The Trepponti Bridge was to become one of the main gates of the city, as well as an entrance to its internal network of canals.





The Ponte dei Trepponti spans the Palotta Canal, which forks beneath it. The Sant'Agostino and San Pietro canals, which form the old Comacchio moat, also intersect here, necessitating the construction of a five-sided bridge. The five bridges are connected by a central floor of Istrian stone, which forms a small pentagonal piazza supported by a cross-vaulted ceiling. Five large staircases connect the bridge to the city streets and the fish market below.



When the Trepponti Bridge was built, it did not yet have its characteristic watchtowers. They were added in 1695 to strengthen the defensive parapets during the reign of Cardinal Giuseppe Renato Imperiali. During his reign, the side walls of the staircase were also raised for defensive purposes. In 1823, the parapets were removed and replaced with decorative columns.



One of the towers has a memorial plaque containing an excerpt from a poem by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso.