Roman bridge in Parma

During the construction of an underground garage, a Roman bridge was discovered in Parma over the former Parma river bed (the city took its name from the river that flowed nearby). A ford in this place already existed in the third century BCE, as evidenced by numerous coins, from the times of the Republic, found during excavations.

In ancient times, throwing coins or other metal objects into the water was a way of bribing river idols. Crossing flowing water was believed to be contrary to the will of the gods and required special rituals to appease the demons. In the second century CE, the ford by Parma was replaced by a bridge that became part of the Via Emilia. The bridge was in use for about one thousand years until the flood in the 12th century, which changed the course of the river.