The bridge was originally known as the Pons Aelius, named after Hadrian's family name.
Pope Clement IX commissioned the ten angel statues in 1669, each holding an instrument of the Passion of Christ.
Bernini's two original angel sculptures are now housed inside the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte for preservation.
The bridge was widened and modified in 1450 to accommodate the massive crowds of pilgrims arriving for the Jubilee year.
The statues were placed on the bridge during the Baroque period to replace earlier, less decorative wooden crosses.
Ponte Sant'Angelo is a pedestrianized stone bridge spanning the Tiber River, originally commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in 134 AD to connect his mausoleum to the city center. The bridge features ten angel statues designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, though only two are original works by the master himself while the others were executed by his assistants. It served as a primary route for pilgrims traveling to St. Peter's Basilica for centuries. During the Middle Ages, the bridge was used for public executions, with the heads of the condemned often displayed on the balustrade. The structure consists of five arches, three of which date back to the Roman original, while the others were restored following floods in the 15th century. It serves as the primary entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo. The bridge remains a focal point of Roman historical architecture, linking the Rione Ponte and Rione Borgo districts. As of June 2026, the bridge is fully accessible as a public pedestrian thoroughfare.
From the river bank at the base of the bridge looking upward toward the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Visit during the golden hour to capture the warm light reflecting off the angel statues and the Tiber.
Keep your belongings secure, as the bridge is a high-traffic area for tourists and a common spot for pickpockets.
View the bridge from the adjacent river bank paths to see the full scale of the Roman arches underneath.
Avoid the street performers and vendors who often block the narrowest parts of the bridge for crowds.
