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Ponte dell'Ammiraglio

About

The Ponte dell’Ammiraglio is one of Palermo’s most remarkable medieval structures, a graceful stone bridge that has spanned the Oreto River since the 12th century. Commissioned by the Norman admiral George of Antioch, it reflects the engineering skill and cultural blend that defined Sicily during the Norman era. Its eleven pointed arches, perfectly aligned and rhythmically rising above the landscape, give the bridge a lightness that contrasts with its robust construction. Although the river has long since changed course, the bridge remains intact, standing today in a small park that highlights its historic presence. Over the centuries it has witnessed key moments in Sicilian history, including the arrival of Garibaldi’s troops in 1860. The Ponte dell’Ammiraglio endures as a symbol of Palermo’s layered past, admired for its elegant form, its strategic importance, and its ability to connect the city’s medieval heritage with the modern urban fabric.

Palermo Italy
Ponte dell'Ammiraglio
Location

Ponte dell'Ammiraglio graces Piazza Scaffa in Palermo's historic Brancaccio area, spanning what was once the Oreto River and now serving as a green link between the city centre and southern suburbs. Built in 1131 by George of Antioch, this UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman bridge anchors a busy traffic square at the edge of the ancient urban core. Nearby stand the neighbouring Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana) and San Cataldo in Piazza Bellini, with short walks reaching Palermo Cathedral, Quattro Canti, and the Norman Palace amid the UNESCO Arab-Norman heritage zone. ​

Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas Museum Palazzo Abatellis Palazzo Abatellis Museum Modern Art Gallery Sant'Anna Modern Art Gallery Sant'Anna Museum Sicilian Ethnographic Museum Giuseppe Pitrè Sicilian Ethnographic Museum Giuseppe Pitrè Museum Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio Pasqualino Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio Pasqualino Museum Rooms at the Museum of Majolica Genius Rooms at the Museum of Majolica Genius Museum Museo Diocesano Palermo Museo Diocesano Palermo Museum Pinacoteca Villa Zito Pinacoteca Villa Zito Museum Museo del Risorgimento Palermo Museo del Risorgimento Palermo Museum No Mafia Memorial No Mafia Memorial Museum Museo Falcone‑Borsellino presso il Tribunale di Palermo Museo Falcone‑Borsellino presso il Tribunale di Palermo Museum Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva Museum Museum of Geology “G. G. Gemmellaro Museum of Geology “G. G. Gemmellaro Museum Città delle Illusioni Città delle Illusioni Museum Palazzo Asmundo Palazzo Asmundo Museum Palazzo Butera Palazzo Butera Museum Palazzo Alliata Villafranca Palazzo Alliata Villafranca Museum Palazzo dei Normanni Palazzo dei Normanni Museum Teatro Massimo di Palermo Teatro Massimo di Palermo Theatre Teatro Politeama Garibaldi Teatro Politeama Garibaldi Theatre Teatro Biondo Stabile Teatro Biondo Stabile Theatre Teatro Santa Cecilia Teatro Santa Cecilia Theatre Teatro Libero Teatro Libero Theatre RizzutoGallery RizzutoGallery Gallery Francesco Pantaleone Arte contemporanea Francesco Pantaleone Arte contemporanea Gallery Palazzo della Cuba Palazzo della Cuba Museum Zisa Palace Zisa Palace Castle Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri Castle Castello di Maredolce Castello di Maredolce Castle Palazzo Gravina di Comitini Palazzo Gravina di Comitini Historical Landmark Palazzo Celestri di Santacroce Palazzo Celestri di Santacroce Museum Palermo Cathedral Palermo Cathedral Cathedral Basilica della Magione Basilica della Magione Basilica Church of Jesus of Casa Professa Church of Jesus of Casa Professa Church Church of Saint Mary 'dell'Ammiraglio' Church of Saint Mary 'dell'Ammiraglio' Church Chiesa e Monastero di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria Chiesa e Monastero di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria Church Church of Saint Cataldo Church of Saint Cataldo Church Church of Saint John of the Hermits Church of Saint John of the Hermits Church Chiesa di San Domenico Chiesa di San Domenico Church Church of the Immaculate Conception Church of the Immaculate Conception Church Chiesa del Carmine Maggiore Chiesa del Carmine Maggiore Church Quattro Canti Quattro Canti Historical Landmark Fontana Pretoria Fontana Pretoria Historical Landmark Porta Nuova Porta Nuova Historical Landmark Porta Felice Porta Felice Historical Landmark Albero Falcone Albero Falcone Memorial Orto Botanico di Palermo Orto Botanico di Palermo Botanical Garden Parco Piersanti Mattarella Parco Piersanti Mattarella Park Giardino Garibaldi Giardino Garibaldi Park Parco d'Orleans Parco d'Orleans Park Giardino Rosa Balistreri Giardino Rosa Balistreri Garden Giardino dei Giusti Giardino dei Giusti Garden Giardino della Zisa Giardino della Zisa Garden Parco di Villa Tasca Parco di Villa Tasca Park Planetario di Palermo Planetario di Palermo Planetarium Palermo Astronomical Observatory Palermo Astronomical Observatory Observatory