What kind of bridge did Leonardo da Vinci design to pivot across a waterway?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a revolving bridge that could pivot across a waterway.

His bridge concept was intended to be portable and quick to deploy. A rotating structure could swing into position for people or troops and then move aside to allow boats to pass. Leonardo’s engineering notes show attention to balance, support, and the practical movement of a large wooden structure.

The design is associated with military engineering and with Leonardo’s service to powerful Italian patrons. A bridge that could be assembled or repositioned rapidly would have been useful during campaigns, especially where ordinary crossings were unavailable. The concept also demonstrates Leonardo’s interest in combining mobility with structural strength.

A revolving bridge is not the same as a drawbridge. A drawbridge rises or lowers, while a revolving bridge turns horizontally around a pivot. Leonardo also designed other bridge forms, including a self-supporting bridge, so the rotating mechanism is the feature that identifies this particular design.