Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, Rome

The bridge Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II is named after the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. The bridge was built in 1911 and was supposed to be an artistic and traffic-bearing partner to the nearby Ponte Sant'Angelo. A previous bridge built by Emperor Nero was still standing in the early 400s but was destroyed when the Goths sacked Rome later that century. A small bridge was built to the south.

Castel Sant'Angelo (sorry its bridge is not visible)

Southern view from Ponte Vittorio

The figures on the bridge represent the national identity. Winged Victories stand atop columns on either end of the bridge.

Winged Victories keep a bus at bay but not out of the picture

Groups of figures represent military valor, fidelity to the law, the father of the country, and the common people. The sculptures are nice but pale in comparison to the other bridge.

Military Valor

Respect of law?

Father of the country?

The plebeians?

Tomorrow's post is the more famous Ponte Sant'Angelo!