
The Steinerner Steg ( it, Ponte Romano) is a two-arched, stone-built
footbridge
A footbridge (also a pedestrian bridge, pedestrian overpass, or pedestrian overcrossing) is a bridge designed solely for pedestrians.''Oxford English Dictionary'' While the primary meaning for a bridge is a structure which links "two points at a ...
across the
Passer
''Passer'' is a genus of sparrows, also known as the true sparrows. The genus contains 28 species and includes the house sparrow and the Eurasian tree sparrow, two of the most common birds in the world. They are small birds with thick bills for ...
in
Merano
Merano (, , ) or Meran () is a city and ''comune'' in South Tyrol, northern Italy. Generally best known for its spa resorts, it is located within a basin, surrounded by mountains standing up to above sea level, at the entrance to the Passeier V ...
,
South Tyrol
it, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige lld, Provinzia Autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol
, settlement_type = Autonomous province
, image_skyline =
, image_alt ...
, northern Italy. The oldest bridge in the town, it connects the historic centre and the Steinach district with the Obermais quarter.
''Attrazioni''
''Sehenswürdigkeiten''
, website of the Municipality.
In 1615 the wooden aqueduct which spanned the river here had fallen into disrepair and the town decided to demolish it and build a stone bridge in its place. The following year Andrä Tanner, an architect from Brixen
Brixen (, ; it, Bressanone ; lld, Porsenù or ) is a town in South Tyrol, northern Italy, located about north of Bolzano.
Geography
First mentioned in 901, Brixen is the third largest city and oldest town in the province, and the artistic and ...
, was contracted to build the replacement. Scarcely had the works been completed, however, when the new bridge was washed away in a flood. The current structure was completed in 1617.[
. See section 20.] The bridge is in close proximity to the ''Passeirer Tor'', one of the town gates of Merano.
__NOTOC__
Naming
“Steinerner Steg” is simply German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
name for “stone footbridge”, while “Ponte Romano” is the Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
equivalent of “Roman bridge”. Although the latter name has been taken to imply that the bridge might have ancient Roman origins, but in fact “Ponte Romano” was only introduced on December 2, 1927 by the fascist authorities as part of their Italianization of South Tyrol campaign.
Notes
Further reading
*
External links
{{coord, 46, 40, 18, N, 11, 10, 09, E, region:IT-32_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki, display=title
Bridges in Italy
Stone bridges in Italy
Buildings and structures in South Tyrol
Merano
Transport in South Tyrol
Bridges completed in 1617
1617 establishments in the Holy Roman Empire
Stone arch bridges
1617 establishments in Italy