Il Comune >> La Città >> Taranto attraverso le immagini

The majestic swing bridge is the symbol of Taranto. It connects the ancient district of the ancient district of the island to the New City and traverses the canal that unites the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo. Dedicated to Sain Francis from Paola, 1958 it replaced an earlier wooden bridge built in 1886. The canal was dug out in 1481 in order to help provide protection for the city from the attacking Turks. The swing bridge is opened periodically, as the two halves are put to one side and large military ships are allowed to go in either direction.

While equipment and cargo pass under the bridge, friends and citizenry welcome those they recognize from the vantagepoint of Lungomare (the sea-front promenade). The bridge opening lasts less than three minutes while the ships' complete passage takes much longer. Traffic grinds to a halt and Taranto, momentarily divided in two, is again reminded of the strategic importance of the sea in its life