Ponte Sant’Angelo

Just look at this view! We’re on the Ponte Sant’Angelo with its stunning line-up of statues and the castle of the same name in the background! This bridge is yet another iconic landmark of Rome and a famous pilgrimage site. It came to replace the Aelius Bridge, built by Emperor Hadrian in 134. Back then, it served as the grand entrance to the imperial mausoleum, now the Castel Sant’Angelo. In 1535, Pope Clement VII added statues of St Peter and St Paul, the 4 Evangelists, and the patriarchs Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses, which were unfortunately lost to time. Today, we can only see those of the two saints. That of St Peter is on the left, with the Coat of Arms of the State of Vatican City, featuring the Keys of Heaven, sculpted in the pedestal. St Paul is on the right, bearing a sword – a symbol of the struggle between good and evil. The remaining statues, which are equally beautiful, date back to the 17th century. They were added by Pope Clement IX and most of them were created by Bernini’s students. The Angel with the scroll and the Angel carrying the Crown of Thorns were sculpted by Bernini himself. The ones you see on the bridge are replicas, however; the originals are kept indoors in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte. Each angel holds an object related to Jesus’ crucifixion, guiding you across the bridge on a symbolic Way of the Cross. At the foot of the bridge, for example, you’ll see the Angel with the Column, on which Christ was chained to be whipped. Then there’s the Angel with the Crown of Thorns, the Angel with the Nails and the Angel with the Cross. The very last ones are the Angel with the vinegar-soaked Sponge that was given to Christ to drink, and the Angel with the Spear that pierced him to ensure his death. The engravings beneath the angels are verses from the Bible, mostly from the Old Testament, describing the corresponding event. You’ll also notice that the angels are sculpted on clouds as if they’re hovering above passers-by, looking down at them from the heavens.