Swing Bridge - Saint Francis of Paola

The San Francesco di Paola bridge in Taranto, better known as the "swing bridge" because of its ability to open for passing ships, is the structure that connects the island of the Old Town with the peninsula of the New Town. Inaugurated on May 22, 1887 by Admiral Ferdinando Acton, the bridge spans a navigable canal 375 meters long, 73 meters wide and 12 meters deep along its axis, which connects the Great Sea with the Small Sea. Due to the presence of the bridge, the width in the narrowest part of the canal is limited to 58 meters.