The Ponte Forbato is the oldest bridge in Rovereto: built of stone, it crosses the Leno stream just below the castle. What you see is a rebuilding of 1840, to a design by the Brescian engineer Antonio Gilisenti, in place of a much older structure, partly destroyed by the flood of the Leno in the night between 24 and 25 September 1797. It was for a long time the first and only bridge in the town, until the Ponte delle Zigherane was built in 1877.
What to see
In the past, for those arriving from Verona, that is from the south, right beside the bridge stood Porta San Tommaso, also called Porta della Scaletta.
The gate was demolished in 1822, when the via Nuova, today via Vicenza, was built. It is recalled by a fresco that the Società di abbellimento had painted in 1911 on the front of the building near the bridge, just across the Leno as you enter the town.
Visiting
The bridge is on a public road and can be seen at any time.
Our editors' tip
The arch of the vanished gate had been frescoed in 1711 by the painter Antonio Gresta, of Ala, for the passage of Charles VI of Habsburg, who was travelling to Vienna with his retinue to receive the imperial investiture.
