Built in 1768, this bridge replaced the earlier wooded structure over the Crostolo stream, originally designed at the end of the 16th century during land reclamation works led by the Bentivoglio dynasty. Constructed with terracotta bricks, and featuring three arches, the bridge takes its name from the floodgates (in Italian, portine) that were lowered into the stream to maintain a high water lever. This allowed water to be diverted into a channel connected to a nearby watermill. The bridge enabled transit from the lowlands to Reggio Emilia and the hills beyond, via the Cerreto postal route.

On August 19, 1859, Giuseppe Garibaldi, arriving from Reggio, crossed the bridge and stopped in front of a pile of watermelons. A local farmer offered him one of Santa Vittoria’s famous watermelons, which Garibaldi appreciated both for its sweetness and for its colors, reminiscent of the Italian flag. The bridge marked the boundary between the municipalities of Gualtieri and Cadelbosco. Beginning in 1845 the Violinisti (violinists) of Santa Vittoria would organize clandestine parties here, playing music and dancing, while evading the watchful eyes of local guards by crossing from one jurisdiction to the other. 

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