The Ponte delle Torri is one of the great medieval engineering achievements of Italy: a stone aqueduct 230 metres long and 80 metres high, spanning a deep forested gorge on ten soaring arches. Walking across it — the gorge dropping away below, the Rocca Albornoziana visible on the hill above, the forest of Monteluco ahead — is one of those experiences that makes Spoleto worth the journey.
It was built in the 13th or 14th century to carry water from the sacred grove of Monteluco to the fortress above the town, replacing an earlier Roman aqueduct. The towers at each end — which gave the bridge its name — served as watch posts. The path across leads directly to the hillside church of San Pietro extra moenia, making the bridge the natural start of a loop walk that takes in the gorge, the church, and the view back to the old town.