Ponte di San Francesco di Paola

The Ponte di San Francesco di Paola, more commonly referred to as the Swing Bridge, is a remarkable feat of engineering that connects the island of Borgo Antico with the peninsula of Borgo Nuovo in Taranto, Italy. This iconic structure, inaugurated on May 22, 1887, by Admiral Ferdinando Acton, spans a navigable canal that links the Mar Grande to the Mar Piccolo. The canal itself is an impressive 375 meters long, 73 meters wide, and 12 meters deep, with the bridge narrowing the width at its most constricted point to 58 meters.

The History of Ponte di San Francesco di Paola

Originally constructed by the Italian Industrial Construction Company of Castellammare di Stabia under the direction of engineer Giuseppe Messina, the bridge was a marvel of its time. It featured a large arch made of wood and metal, divided into two arms that rotated independently around a vertical pivot located on a pier. The movement was powered by hydraulic turbines, fed by a large reservoir on the adjacent Aragonese Castle, capable of holding 600 cubic meters of water. This water, when released, would drive the two arms of the bridge.

In 1957-1958, the bridge underwent significant modernization, transitioning from hydraulic to electric operation. The mechanical and electrical components were updated by the National Society of Savigliano Workshops, while the engineering principles laid down by the nascent Directorate of Military Engineering for the Navy remained largely unchanged. The revamped bridge was inaugurated by President Giovanni Gronchi on March 10, 1958, and was dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola, the patron saint of sailors.

Structure and Mechanics

Today, the Ponte di San Francesco di Paola measures 89.9 meters in length and 9.3 meters in width. The swing bridge undergoes regular maintenance to ensure the mechanical components and the entire metal structure remain in optimal condition. Each semi-bridge rotates around a central pivot anchored to a concrete pier, moving along a rack and pinion system powered by an electric motor. The rotation mechanism rests on a rolling track composed of a series of steel cylinders.

The opening of the bridge is a meticulous process, necessary to allow large naval vessels to pass through to the docks and basins of the Naval Arsenal in the Mar Piccolo for maintenance. The operation, managed by the Italian Navy, takes about twenty minutes from start to finish. The maneuver is controlled from two pilot cabins located near each semi-bridge, with four workers overseeing the automatic devices and ready to intervene in case of malfunction.

The initial manual steps involve removing eight chocks and disengaging two bolts at the ends, which stabilize the bridge when closed. The actual opening begins with a 45° rotation of the Borgo Antico side, followed by a 90° rotation of the Borgo Nuovo side, and finally, the completion of the rotation of the Borgo Antico side.

A Symbol of Taranto

The swing bridge is not just a functional structure but a symbol of Taranto, embodying the city's rich maritime heritage and engineering prowess. The sight of ships passing through the open bridge, with crews on deck waving to their loved ones on the waterfront, is a poignant and memorable experience for both locals and visitors.

In 1985, the bridge underwent a comprehensive restoration, which included rebuilding the support decks of the two semi-bridges with reinforced concrete, replacing the thrust bearings, motors, and gears necessary for rotation, and sandblasting and repainting the metal structures. During the three-month restoration period, a temporary pontoon bridge ensured the continued connection between the two parts of the city.

The Bridge in Literature and Cinema

The Ponte di San Francesco di Paola has also made its mark in literature and cinema. It appeared in the 1941 film La nave bianca, filmed in Taranto. Moreover, the bridge is mentioned in a poem by Gabriele D'Annunzio and is a destination in Paolo Volponi's 1975 novel Sipario ducale. In 2018, the bridge featured in several scenes of the film 6 Underground, directed by Michael Bay, although the scenes were set in Beirut in the movie's narrative.

In conclusion, the Ponte di San Francesco di Paola is more than just a bridge; it is a testament to Taranto's historical and cultural significance. Its unique engineering, historical context, and the picturesque setting make it a must-visit landmark for anyone exploring this charming Italian city.