Ponte di Barche – Commessaggio, Italy - Atlas Obscura
What's near me?

Ponte di Barche

Commessaggio, Italy

A floating bridge leaning on barges allows pedestrians to reach the historical center. 

View all photos
the original bricks piers on the sides Lakehurst (Atlas Obscura User)
Torrazzo di Vescpasiano in front of the bridge Lakehurst (Atlas Obscura User)
2
19
Top Places in Italy
Saint Catherine of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
Domus de Janas Tombs
Nughedu Santa Vittoria, Italy
'Mi Sono Perso' ('I Am Lost')
Rome, Italy
 See All
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Ponte di Barche with additional information or photos.

This pontoon bridge was built in 1976 to replace a historical bridge built in the 14th century by the Duke Vespasiano Gonzaga. The old bridge was demolished because was considered hazardous by the Sabbioneta municipality (the bridge was on the edge between Commessaggio and Sabbioneta municipality). Today, only the original bricks piers have survived. The historical bridge was filmed in the opening scene of the 1977 film Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom by the Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Opposite to the bridge stands the Torrazzo di Vespasiano (the Vespasiano Tower), which was built in 16th century as duty stop before the duchy entrance.

Know Before You Go

This is a public footbridge open daily to allow the main village of Commessaggio to be connected to the other side of the river and Commessaggio Inferiore.


The bridge is a two minute walk from main square Piazza Italia of Commessaggio, all along Via Garibaldi.

Atlas Obscura Trips

Rome Behind Locked Doors: Music, Magic, and Secret Crypts

Join us as we go beneath Rome’s streets and behind its locked doors to explore hidden and overlooked places, witnessing a capital city that most tourists rarely experience—strange, magical, and filled with intrigue.
Book Now
film locations bridges
Nearby
Santuario della Beata Vergine delle Grazie (Sanctuary of Our Vergine Maria of Grace)
11.27 miles
Isola dei Fiori di Loto (Lotus Island)
12.89 miles
Sala dei Giganti (Chamber of the Giants)
14.22 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Grazie, Italy

Santuario della Beata Vergine delle Grazie (Sanctuary of Our Vergine Maria of Grace)

In this medieval church, a centuries-old stuffed crocodile hangs from the ceiling.
Mantua, Italy

Isola dei Fiori di Loto (Lotus Island)

In Lago Superiore, the largest expanse of lotus flowers outside of Asia are not hard to find.
Mantua, Italy

Sala dei Giganti (Chamber of the Giants)

A room filled with frescos that make it seem like the walls are crumbling down while giants die in despair.
Mantua, Italy

Palazzo Aldegatti's Cat

This decoration above a door, an unofficial family crest, is said to come alive during the night to try to get free of the stone.
Related Places
Seneca Falls, New York

Bridge Street Bridge

A suicide attempt on this bridge helped inspire the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life."
Ban Tai, Thailand

Death Railway Bridge

This bridge made famous in a novel and on-screen wasn't actually built over the river Kwai.
Zhangjiajie, China

Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

This vertical pinnacle in China was the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar.”
Germany

Bridge of Spies

Germany's Glienicke Bridge has a shady history of clandestine meetings, espionage, and spycraft.
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
From Around the Web