Ponte Vecchio di Cesena

The Ponte Vecchio, whose real name is Ponte Clemente, is the oldest bridge in Cesena and crosses the Savio at one of the river's narrowest points. For centuries people have crossed the Savio here: first on a Roman wooden bridge on the Via Emilia, then on a stone bridge commissioned by the Malatesta family, which finally collapsed in 1684.

The present bridge was begun in 1733 at the instigation of Pope Clement XII, after whom it is named. Work stopped for a long time and resumed in 1766 with a new design approved by two great architects of the time, Ferdinando Fuga and Luigi Vanvitelli. It was completed in 1773.

With its three great arches in brick and stone, the bridge is one of the most photographed spots in the city, especially at sunset, when the light colours the river and the parks along the banks.

You can always cross the bridge, on foot or by bicycle. A cycle path runs along the river towards the sea or towards the hills.