Ponte Monumentale

The Ponte Monumentale in Genoa is a striking road bridge that spans the Via XX Settembre and connects the Carignano and San Vincenzo districts. As one of the city's landmarks, the structure is protected as a historic monument. Its history is closely tied to the city's expansion at the end of the 19th century, when new residential neighborhoods needed to be linked to the medieval center. The bridge was built between 1890 and 1895 to designs by the engineer Cesare Gamba. One historical detail: the bridge was erected on the foundations of the former Porta d'Archi, a 16th-century gate that had previously been dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere to make room for the new structure.

Architecturally, the bridge impresses with a unique combination of a large brick arch construction, inspired by railway bridge building, and a monumental stone ensemble of white marble. Columns and sculptures adorn the structure, though the decorative elements were not completed until 1930. At a height of 21 meters, it offers visitors an impressive view of the street below. Besides serving as a traffic artery, the bridge also functions as a pedestrian walkway and connects to Corso Andrea Podestà via stairs and an elevator.

The Ponte Monumentale also gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into the underground city. Through the entrance inside the bridge, you can join guided tours through grottoes, tunnels, and underground passages. Commemorative plaques in the side niches also honor the victims of the Resistance, recall the surrender of German troops in 1945, and mark the award of the Gold Medal of Military Valor to the city of Genoa. Following a comprehensive restoration completed in November 2025, the structure now shines in renewed splendor.