Walkabout Wednesday: The Statues on Ponte Sant'Angelo

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In front of the Castel Sant'Angelo, in view of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, the Ponte Sant'Angelo bridge crosses the Tiber. (The Italian word, ponte, is the word for "bridge".) As you cross the bridge, notice the statues of the angels lining the bridge. The angels were designed by Bernini just before the year 1670, and each carries an instrument of the passion:

• The Crown of Thorns

• A sponge with vinegar

• Nails used in the hands and feet of Christ

• The Cross

• The titulus (INRI)

• The garment and dice

• The whip

• The Column of Flagellation

• Veronica's Veil

• The lance, or spear, of Longinus

Most of the angels were completed by the shop of Bernini, but two were completed by the master himself, the angel bearing the crown of thorns and the angel bearing the INRI titulus. These two statues, valuable in that Bernini himself crafted these, were removed from the elements and are currently visible in the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, near the Spanish Steps.

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Are you interested in seeing this?

• Yes!
• If there is time.
• It doesn't really call to me.