Ponte Sant'Angelo, or Bridge of the Holy Angel, is a landmark that connects the Vaticano district to the Centro district, and extends over the Tiber river in Rome.
History
The bridge was built to cross the river from the city center to Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, which later became the Castel Sant'Angelo.
In 1450, its balustrades buckled due a surging mob of pilgrims making their way to the Basilica di San Pietro, leading to a mass drowning. Later, in the 16th century, the structure was used to display the bodies of executed men to the public.
Trivia
- The Ponte Sant'Angelo was one of the few landmarks to appear in both Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
- The bridge was a restricted area in Brotherhood, except in certain memories, such as "The Ezio Auditore Affair".
- The bridge was formerly known as Pons Aelius or Ponte Aelius.