Reconstruction of the bridge in Arelate. | Author of upper illustration: Jean-Claude Golvin. Author of lower illustration: Jaime Jones.
Visualization of a drawbridge built by the ancient Romans in the 1st century BCE in Arelate (currently Arles, France). The bridge was over the Rhone and was largely made up of boats side by side. The bridge was part of an important route connecting Italy with Spain.
On the shore, by the river, there were towers with drawbridges that fell on drifting boats. This unusual solution was due to the fact that the river often flooded.
Nothing is left of the ancient bridge; nowadays there is another bridge nearby.
