Ponte dei Saraceni, Adrano

The Ponte dei Saraceni (bridge of the Saracens) is an ancient bridge near Adrano, which was constructed by the Arabs of Sicily upon the remains of an earlier Roman structure.,[1] over the river Simeto in Adrano, region of Sicily, Italy.[2]

While the base of the bridge at parts is likely of the original Roman foundation, it was apparently built and attributed to the Arabs (Saracens), leading to the arch framed in stones of alternating colors and creating an acute angle arch.

Further damage occurred during the 1693 Sicily earthquake, leading again to reconstruction, but by the end of the 18th-century, the bridge was downgraded to a pedestrian trail, while the Biscari aqueduct bridge (begun in 1761 and completed in 1791) replaced the function of being the connection to Catania form Northwest Sicily. The smaller arches of the bridge differ in sizes and angle, are reconstructions done after a flood in 1948. Upstream of the river (or stream) the water has made grooves into the volcanic lava.[3]

References

  1. ^ Frasca, Massimo. "Muslims in Sicily" (PDF). Meltem (in English and Turkish). 12 (Winter 2022). Alef Publishing: 80–92. doi:10.32325/iaad.2022.14. Retrieved 30 October 2025. Near Adrano, there is a bridge (bridge of the Saracens), attributed to the Arabs.<ref>"Ponte dei Saraceni". Museum With No Frontiers. Retrieved 30 October 2025. The Ponte dei Saraceni… so-called because it was believed to be of Arab origin, was built possibly on a former Roman foundation.
  2. ^ Frasca, Massimo. "[Title of the article, if available]" (PDF). Meltem (in English and Turkish). 12 (Winter 2022). İzmir: Alef Publishing: 80–92. doi:10.32325/iaad.2022.14. Retrieved 30 October 2025. Near Adrano, there is a bridge (bridge of the Saracens), attributed to the Arabs.
  3. ^ Visit Catania website, entry on bridge.

37°42′03″N 14°47′59″E / 37.70091°N 14.79977°E / 37.70091; 14.79977

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