What type of bridge did Leonardo da Vinci design to rotate aside and let ships pass?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a revolving bridge that could rotate aside to let ships pass.

Leonardo’s revolving bridge was a compact military-engineering design. It was intended to provide troops with a crossing while also allowing boats to move along the waterway. A central pivot and supporting structure would let the bridge swing or rotate away from the channel when necessary.

The design reflects Leonardo’s work for Renaissance military patrons, who wanted bridges that could be deployed quickly and removed or repositioned for tactical reasons. He also considered portability, using a counterweight concept to make the bridge easier to operate.

A revolving bridge differs from a drawbridge. A drawbridge rises or folds upward, while a revolving bridge turns horizontally around a pivot. Leonardo proposed several bridge designs, so the specific rotating mechanism is important when identifying this invention.