The Ponte Umberto I is the best known bridge of Turin. It connects the Corso Vittorio Emanuele on the west side of the river Po to the Corso Fiume on the opposite side. In order to build the bridge, a previously existing one had had to be destroyed.
Ponte Umberto I Turin
Useful information
Bus: 33, 52, 66, 70, 73 (Moncalieri stop); tram: 7, 16CD (Della Rocca stop); bus: 24, 33, 52, 93/ (Della Rocca stop).
History Ponte Umberto I Turin
The Ponte Umberto I was constructed between 1903 and 1907. The architects were Vincenzo Micheli and Enrico Ristori.
The inauguration, in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele II, took place on April 24, 1907.
The previous bridge, Ponte Maria Teresa, had been built in 1840 by the architect Paolo Lehaitre. However, it had needed repairs so often that in 1879 it was decided to have a new one constructed. More than 50 designs were submitted.
Description
The bridge consists of three span. The two outer ones are 30 , the central one 32 meters long. It is made of masonry.
The four statues embellishing the bridge were addid in 1911. They were sculpted by Reduzzi and Contratti and represent the concepts of art, industry, piety and valor in battle.
Curiosities
The local rowing organization had lobbied for a bridge with only one span. They wanted to have a better view of the river during races. Despite their protests, the original project was admitted.