In between the wide avenues along the banks of the Tiber River (“Tevere” in Italian), dozens of bridges hold the city of Rome together. Crossing those monumental bridges means to travel back in time, reliving the magical atmosphere of ancient Rome, which was born and developed in terms of its river.
As you stroll along the banks of the Tiber, lingering from time to time on the beautiful arches that connect the two banks, you will have the opportunity to admire magical views and to discover Rome from a unique point of view.
So, here’s a list, brought you by ItalyXP, of the 5 (+1) most beautiful bridges in Rome… Those that you should absolutely see (and cross) if you visit the Eternal City!
Ponte Sant'Angelo
Originally known as “Ponte Elio”, from the name of the emperor Elio Hadrian, the Ponte Sant'Angelo was built in 136AD to connect the city to the entrance of his mausoleum: the magnificent Castel Sant'Angelo.
Many important historical events connected to this bridge have occurred over the centuries: in 1300, the first “Holy Year” proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII, was imposed for access to the bridge a traffic regulation for the large crowd of pilgrims. Dante Alighieri testifies that on the deck, which was the shortest way to get to the Saint Peter's Basilica from the city, were created two opposite paths delineated by a row of box offices.
The appearance of the monumental bridge, now commonly called Sant'Angelo for the statue of the Archangel overlooking the castle, has undergone several transformations. In 1668 it was further enriched with ten amazing statues of angels. The famous artist
Ponte Sisto
The Ponte Sisto was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman bridge, "Pons Aurelius", dating back to 215 AD, to connect the left bank of the Tiber in Trastevere.
The bridge was also called "pons Janicularis" for its proximity to the Janiculum Hill. Between 366 and 367 the Emperor Valentinian took the first major renovation and it was on this occasion that at the entrance was erected a triumphal arch, whose remains are now housed in the National Roman Museum.
Collapsed in 792 following a flood of the river, the bridge was abandoned and therefore also called "ruptus", "tremulus" or "Fractus". Since then, the bridge was rebuilt several times, changing the appearance, but in 2000, the Ponte Sisto has regained its fifteenth aspect.
Today the bridge, measuring 108 meters in length and 11 in width, is open only to pedestrians and is a great place for a tour by bike.
Also, recently the Ponte Sisto became famous for its appearance in a famous scene of "The Great Beauty" by Paolo Sorrentino - Golden Globes winner in 2014 - and you can visit it through an exclusive movie-locations tour that will make you breathe the mysterious atmosphere of this cinematic masterpiece.
Ponte Rotto [Pons Aemilius]
What remains today of this old bridge is known as the Ponte Rotto. It took this name when, in 1598, a large flood wiped out the three arches. Since then, the bridge was never rebuilt. Other two arches, those closest to the shore, were demolished to make way for the new bridge Palatino, so today we can see only one surviving arch of the six original.
The Broken Bridge was the first bridge partially masonry of ancient Rome. Over the centuries took different names: in 142 BC was called Ponte Massimo; in '872, because of the proximity to the church of St. Mary of Egypt, was called Ponte Santa Maria; In the Middle Ages it was also known by other names, such as "Bridge Lepidus," "Bridge Stone Industry," or even "Bridge of Senators."
As I said, it suffered damage from the floods of the Tiber on several occasions, and was constantly rebuilt. The last repair dates back to 1573, when Pope Gregory XIII began the reconstruction according to a project which involved the construction of two arches again: thus, in 1575 the Broken Bridge was reopened and renamed to "bridge the Senatorial" (you can see the papal coat of arms with dragons, the symbol of Pope Gregory XIII).
Unfortunately, yet another flood in 1598 and yet another destruction of the arches of Bertolani finally decreed the end, and successive popes, even in the presence of new projects, not rebuilt it again. What we see today, the surviving arch is thus the result of the reconstruction of the sixteenth century.
Ponte Fabricio [Pons Fabricius]
The Ponte Fabricio is the only bridge in Rome that has resisted until today almost intact, with a history of over two thousand years.
Built in 62 BC with blocks of tuff, this imposing bridge was also called the Bridge of the Jews as it was a necessary step for the Jews to move from their homes to the shops of Trastevere, near the Theatre of Marcellus. In this area in 1555, Paul IV instituted the Jewish Ghetto, which lasted for 315 years.
Still in everyday use, the Ponte Fabricio connects the Jewish ghetto with the Tiber Island. Guarded by two marble pillars with two-faced Janus heads, the bridge is a symbol of transitions and beginnings, symbolizing the road to both the future and the past.
In the Middle Ages, the Tiber Island was consecrated to the god of medicine, and that was reinforced by the presence of a spring of health-giving water, so the island became a place of healing and hospitals.
Ponte Cavour
The Cavour bridge replaced the iron footbridge bridge Ripetta, built on an interim basis in 1878 to connect the left side of Campus Martius to the nascent Prati district.
It was inaugurated on May 25, 1901 After the dedication of a bridge in one of the fathers of the fatherland, Garibaldi, could not miss a dedication to another man crucial to the formation of the Kingdom of Italy: Count Camillo Benso di Cavour.
After the war, Cavour bridge became known for dip New Year's 12:00 o'clock. He started the tradition of the Belgian Rick De Sonay best known as Mister Ok. The current Mister Ok named Maurizio Palmulli. The construction of the bridge Ripetta before and after the Cavour bridge, meant the end of the beautiful port of Ripetta. Conceived and built by Clement XI. Mirrors the port was opened August 16, 1705.
Consists of a staircase and a balcony loggia where you inserted a fountain and two columns on which marked the levels reached by the floods of the Tiber. The port was opposite the present church of S. Girolamo degli Schiavoni still exists. The port remains, in the small square in the Port of Ripetta, the fountain and the columns of the era.
(+1) Ponte Milvio
The Milvian Bridge (in Italian "Ponte Milvio"), also known as the bridge of lovers because of padlocks that for a time the lovers have attached to lampposts as proof of eternal love, lies on the north bank of the Tiber.
This monumental bridge was built to extend the Via Flaminia over the river, now the surrounding area is full of bars that animate the Roman nightlife.
Antique lovers every first and second Sunday of the month takes place in the Ponte Milvio from 9.00 to 20.00 the exhibition of antiques and crafts market called "Flea of the Milvian Bridge". The first antiques market "with more than 200 exhibitors of antiques, gifts and collectibles.
