Ascoli Piceno Italy

Ponte di Cecco

Next to Porta Maggiore on the river Castellano, the bridge has two arches, of which one in the centre and one lateral, smaller. For a long time it has been regarded as a medieval work. According to a popular legend, it was built during an only night by the astrologer poet Cecco d'Ascoli, whence its name. Depending on another tradition, the bridge was constructed by a medieval teacher, Cecco Aprutino. Recent studies have recognized it as a Roman work dating back to the Republic times.
Probably the consular Salaria road got out of the city through this bridge. The structure with stone ashlars has a double arch, whose larger one is of 14,5 metres, and the other one of 7,50 metres. Its height above water is of 25 metres. During last war, it has been exploded by the Germans in retreat, but it has been rebuilt in its originary form. The bridge keeps intact, still nowadays, the elegant proportions and lines of ancient Roman monuments.

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