Ponte di Mezzo (Middle Bridge), Pisa

To get from the north side of the River Arno to the south side, you will cross the river by the Middle Bridge. In Roman times a wooden bridge spanned the river a little further upstream. This bridge was replaced by a stone one in 1035 and was restored in 1388. In 1635 it collapsed and was rebuilt in 1660. The “new” bridge was an elegant affair with three arches and carved balustrades and named “Middle” as it was (more-or-less) in the center of the city. This bridge was destroyed in 1944 during wartime bombing.

The bridge you will cross today was built in 1950 out of reinforced concrete sheathed in white Verona stone. It is 89 meters long and had one arch of 72 meters. At the four corners of the bridge are marbles globes from the former bridge. In the center of the bridge you will see the Pisan cross laid out in white stone paving.

If you are lucky enough to be in the city in June, you will certainly take part in the Pisa June which is a series of carnivals that re-enact historical events. The highlight of the Pisa June is the Bridge Game, held on the last Saturday of the month, when rival teams from the Mezzoiorno District and the Tramontana District “battle” for control of the bridge. The two teams of twenty pit their strength against each other by pushing against a heavy cart set on tracks in the middle of the bridge. The team who manages to push the cart to the “enemy” camp, wins the game.