Ponte di Mezzo (Middle Bridge), Pisa

To get from the north side of the River Arno to the south side, you will cross the river by the Middle Bridge. In Roman times a wooden bridge spanned the river a little further upstream. This bridge was replaced by a stone one in 1035 and was restored in 1388. In 1635 it collapsed and was rebuilt in 1660. The 鈥渘ew鈥� bridge was an elegant affair with three arches and carved balustrades and named 鈥淢iddle鈥� as it was (more-or-less) in the center of the city. This bridge was destroyed in 1944 during wartime bombing.

The bridge you will cross today was built in 1950 out of reinforced concrete sheathed in white Verona stone. It is 89 meters long and had one arch of 72 meters. At the four corners of the bridge are marbles globes from the former bridge. In the center of the bridge you will see the Pisan cross laid out in white stone paving.

If you are lucky enough to be in the city in June, you will certainly take part in the Pisa June which is a series of carnivals that re-enact historical events. The highlight of the Pisa June is the Bridge Game, held on the last Saturday of the month, when rival teams from the Mezzoiorno District and the Tramontana District 鈥渂attle鈥� for control of the bridge. The two teams of twenty pit their strength against each other by pushing against a heavy cart set on tracks in the middle of the bridge. The team who manages to push the cart to the 鈥渆nemy鈥� camp, wins the game.

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Sight Name: Ponte di Mezzo (Middle Bridge)
Sight Location: Pisa, Italy (See walking tours in Pisa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Pisa Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Pisa, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Pisa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Pisa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Pisa Palaces Walking Tour

As you continue your acquaintance with Pisa, you will notice that there is a lot more to see here than just a "leaning" landmark. Indeed, just like Italy in general, this particular Tuscan city boasts a glorious heritage of wonderful palaces, fit to transport you back in time.

The most beautiful palaces in Pisa are found on both sides of the Arno River, forming a multi-colored ribbon... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Pisa Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Pisa, in Italy's Tuscany region, is best known worldwide for its iconic Leaning Tower, as well as for being the birthplace of Galileo Galilei, whom considered by many as the Father of Modern Science.

The origin of the name Pisa is a mystery, while the origin of the city itself 鈥� as Etruscan 鈥� was confirmed only in 1991.

Founded on the seashore (which had since moved... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Galileo's Pisa Walking Tour

Among the names that hardly need introduction there is one of Galileo Galilei. The most illustrious son of Pisa, this 16th-17th century physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher went down in history as the 鈥淔ather of Modern Science鈥� and is forever cherished as one of the world鈥檚 greatest minds.

As Galileo's hometown, Pisa boasts a number of places linked to his life, of... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

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