This is a section of the beautiful Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome spanning the Tiber River.
Rome, 2007
Emperor Hadrian had this bridge built in 134 AD to give access from the city center to his grand mausoleum. The ten Bernini-designed angels lining the bridge were added much later, in the 17th century (unfortunately I did not cross over to get close ups of them, but images can easily be found online).
About Hadrian's tomb, from Wikipedia:
The tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian, also called Hadrian's mole, was erected on the right bank of the Tiber, between 135 AD and 139 AD. Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian's ashes were placed here a year after his death in Baiae in 138 AD, together with those of his wife Sabina, and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138 AD. Following this, the remains of succeeding emperors were also placed here, the last recorded deposition being Caracalla in 217 AD. The urns containing these ashes were probably placed in what is now known as the Treasury room deep within the building.
More about Castel Sant'Angelo from Wikipedia:
Legend holds that the Archangel Michael appeared atop the mausoleum, sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590, thus lending the castle its present name.
Today the building is a museum.
My images today are offered to the blog-hop communities of Weekend Reflections, Sunday Bridges and Taphophile Tragics.
A beautiful capture of the ponte and its reflection as well as an interesting piece of history.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of an amazing bridge!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bridge - I love how the reflections complete the circles.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent old bridge and such great reflections for the day, Cisca!! Thank you, too, for the very interesting history! I really enjoyed reading it! I, too, love how the reflections complete the circles under the bridge! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Hey Cisca-I love that first shot with the boats framed by the circle of the bridge.
ReplyDeleteSuch a vantage point for Michael the A. Cool images. Was hoping that Francisca in Rome meant that for real. Rats.
Have a great weekend.
Ha, Roma ... (sigh) what fabulous memories! and your reflections are per-fect!
ReplyDeleteEh, this splendid eternal city!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful series of photo's and I love the bridge and the reflections. Wonderful
ReplyDeleteYour photo reminds me of how much I love Rome. So much to see and experience there. Just what you'd expect of a city that is well over 2000 years old.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Rome - big omission I think. Lovely light on the bridge in your photos. We both have perfect Os from a bridge today.
ReplyDeleteThe museum is an amazing looking building. The bridge with it's reflection is also amazing. Nice camera work Francisca.
ReplyDeleteWonderful - the reflections of those circles are mesmerizing -- thank you for the history as well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images Francisca - the bridge and its reflection are superb. Thanks too for the history notes - very hard to comprehend such vision, abilities and construction equipment of so very long ago!
ReplyDeleteI was in Rome, but sadly did not see this wonderful piece of Roman history. Loved reading about the history. Fascinating. Your second picture is beautiful. genie
ReplyDeleteI see something new every time i visit here... beautiful as usual.
ReplyDeleteSuch perfect reflections...
ReplyDeleteYou gave me that feeling now, I need to come back there, this city is always in motion!Wonderful pictures dear Francisca, your pictures are adorable postcards.The first one has such clear reflections!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend my friend,
hugs
Léia
Thanks for all the terrific historical details to go along with this amazing bridge and building.
ReplyDeleteYou have a near perfect reflection in your first photo; very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThe history lesson was very interesting. Hadrian's bridge is rather more decorative than his wall :)
how long will be you in Europe? Going to London in August?
ReplyDeleteI like your first bridge shot.
ReplyDeleteWow! Fabulous photos - ALL of them!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos and history.
ReplyDeleteDarryl and Ruth :)
I'm pretty sure I have the same bridge picture, or at least one that's very similar. :)
ReplyDeleteRome is a great city to visit. So much history and great architecture. I like your look at it.
I immediately recognized your viewpoint and it made me think about a wonderful trip to Rome. I am drawn to the perfect symetry of your second photo but love the ripples in the first.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful pictures of historic and imposing monuments. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStunning shots and reflections.
ReplyDeleteOh I do love legends, just their sheer improbability is a delight!
ReplyDeleteI am guessing that this is the Hadrian of the wall fame. It surely is a lovely setting for a tomb, although the only time I saw the Tiber, the water level was so low as to make one compare it to waste disposal systems!
Those two images of the bridge are just terrific, Francisca.
Yes, I had to smile when I read you 'blog hop communities'. I guess that is what we do, bumping into many of the same folk as we go. A real community ...
Wonderful tie in to all these communities!
ReplyDeleteThe archangel sheathing a sword is such a dramatic image atop the the building! Incredible story as to what this symbolises! And adore the old bridge etched with so much weathered character!
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I would have imagined it would take much longer to build this tomb in that era!
ReplyDeleteVERY interesting! I certainly know who Hadrian is, but I no idea about this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this bridge. If only it could talk. Thank you for sharing it's history.
ReplyDeleteNice shots of one of the more well known parts of the world. The story about the angel I had never heard Thanks for dealing it with us.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fascinating post and stunning pictures.
ReplyDeleteHerding Cats
Simply beautiful! Great shots, Francisca.
ReplyDeletei like the angle with the sword!
ReplyDeletei have been there too, a few years back, and had forgotton about this... nice to see it again!
Aaaaah, wonderful Rome! Lovely shots.
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