First Iron Bridge in Milan: The Little Mermaid Bridge

The Little Mermaid Bridge, or Ponte delle Sirenette, is a historical landmark in Milan, Italy. Built between 1840 and 1842, this bridge holds the title of the first wrought iron bridge in Italy. Commissioned by private people, the bridge was erected over the canal Navigli in Via San Damiano by the society 'Rubini-Scalini-Falck e C. of Dongo, according to the designs of architect Francesco Tettamanzi. Benedetto Cacciatori created the decorations on the bridge.

The bridge's parapets feature Latin inscriptions commemorating the construction of the first iron bridge in Milan in 1841. Each end of the bridge features a mermaid holding an oar. Inaugurated on June 23, 1842, by Rainier of Austria, viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, the bridge now is a beloved spot for Milanese lovers. The statue on the bridge was severely damaged during a bombing raid in 1943, and another one was stolen in 1948.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons