The small Ponte delle Sirenette (Bridge of Mermaids) by Francesco Tettamanzi was inaugurated on June 23rd in 1842 on the Naviglio della Martesana (Martesan Canal) on the San Damiano road (now called via Visconti di Modrone) in Milano (map). It was moved to the heart of Parco Sempione in 1930 as part of a larger preservation effort. map
Originally installed as a bridge across the Martesan canal, the Ponte delle Sirenette was part of the city life until the canal will filled in and converted to a street. The bridge was moved into the Sempione Park. It features in literature and novels - one can see how it could lend itself to intrigue, mystery and romance in its original location.
In the new location, just over a mile from the original location, the Bridge of Mermaids is under a canopy of trees and spans a narrow section of lake inside the park. It is a beautiful setting for the bridge and its four mermaid statues, known as the Ghislini Sisters. After 170 years of watching life in Milano, they must have some stories to tell.
With a flair for romance and an appreciation of bygone times, this scene was observed on the Bridge in recent times.
References:
● http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parco_Sempione_(Milano)
● https://www.tastingtheworld.it/ponte-delle-sirenette-a-milano/12368/
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 66 in the book about this sculpture.
