Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti of Senigallia. Pope from 1846 to 1878. Construction of the Ariccia bridge. Bronze medal of maximum module 1854 Year IX. By Nicola Cerbara and Giuseppe Bianchi. (Bronze, 82.50 mm, 275.72 g). PIVS IX PONT MAX Bust left with zucchetto, mozzetta and stole decorated with the pope insignia, the Dove, grapes and plant spirals; below the bust, NIC CERBARA F; all within a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Rev. PROVIDENTIA OPTIMI PRINCIPIS ARICIAE CLIVI PERICVLO SVBLATO View of the imposing bridge of Ariccia with the three rows of arches; in the background, the Lazio hills; in the foreground, between fields and paths, the old road that climbs and leads to the town of Ariccia; in exergue, VIA INGENTI MOLITIONE ARCVBVS IMPOSITA COMMEANTIVM SECVRITATI ANNO MDCCCLIV; below, I BIANCHI S. Bartolotti 1971, 9. Bartolotti 1988, p. 129, IX – n. 9. Donini p. 296-297. Small edge nick to reverse, otherwise, nearly uncirculated. Scarce. Ex Nomisma auction 47, April 13, 2013, lot 1851. The medal commemorates the construction of this extremely important work which came to connect the town of Albano Laziale with Ariccia. The imposing viaduct with three rows of arches, 300 meters long and 59 high, which boldly crosses a valley formed by an extinct volcanic crater, was designed by the architect Giuseppe Bartolini. The works begun in 1847, ended in 1853 and the inauguration was carried out by the Pope on October 12, 1854. The bridge, destroyed on June 3, 1944 during the Second World War, was reconstructed in 1947. (See F. Bartolotti).