The Helium Bridge - Ponte Elio, built by Hadrian in the II century B.C. to reach his mausoleum, served in times of Papal Dominion as a passage for the processions of the faithful to St. Peter’s Church. The two shooting positions which were placed before it and built for defence purposes during the 1527 siege, were removed three years later by Clement VII and the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul placed in their stead.
However the row of Angels on the parapets that represent the Passion of Christ, are due to Clement IX and were entirely designed by Bernini and executed by his pupils between 1667 and 1669, with the exception of the two entirely sculptured by Bernini himself and therefore considered too precious to be exposed to the elements. These may now be admired in the church of Santa Maria delle Fratte.
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