Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge), Verona, Italy
The postcard shared this week is as much about the card as about the stamp. The card is a Posteitaliane issue and the stamp is a Europa 2018 commemorative featuring the stone bridge or Ponte Pietra in Verona Italy. The cancellation mark also has the image of the bridge. A collector's item that I was surprised and delighted to receive.
Ponte Pietra crosses the Adige River in Verona, Italy and was built around 100 BC. It is the oldest bridge in Verona and was once known as the Roman arch bridge. Originally there were two bridges crossing the river and providing access to the Roman theater on the east bank. Alberto I della Scala who commissioned the Castelvecchio (last week’s postcard) also rebuilt the bridge in 1298. Four of the five arches of the bridge were destroyed during the German retreat of World War II and later rebuilt in 1957 using original materials.
It is just incredible to see ancient structures still standing and still in use. Le Pont du Gard in France is also about this same age and although it no longer functions as an aqueduct it is also still standing and can be walked across.
Ponte Pietra - Verona, commemorative Europa stamp
Once again thanks go to our friend for sharing the unused card and its stamp.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Piertra_(Verona)
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