Pons Aemilius — Attraction in Rome

It is commonly known as Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge) but the great arch with a decadent and poetic aspect that emerges from the waters of the Tiber, not far from the Tiber Island, is actually what remains of the ancient Pons Aemilius, made of wood in the 2nd century BC and reconstructed of stone a century later. It was the longest of Rome’s ancient bridges with an important strategic position, but definitively not lucky: placed obliquely to the current of the river, where the water turbulence is particularly strong, it was very often overwhelmed by the power of the Tiber. Damaged when not destroyed, it was then reconstructed several times. Even its name often changed over the centuries: with the renovation carried out by Augustus, Emperor and Pontifex Maximus, it was nicknamed “Pons Maximus”, then in the 9th century it became known as the Santa Maria Bridge when the Temple of Portunus was turned into the church of Santa Maria Egiziaca. In 1144, the bridge was renamed Senatorium Bridge, probably following a full restoration carried out at the expense of the Senators, Rome’s main administrators.Repairs and restorations also continued in the following centuries: the complete renovation of 1552, by Nanni di Baccio on a design by Michelangelo, proved to be ineffective and only five years later the bridge was again swept away by a flood. With the umpteenth reconstruction commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni in 1573 and remembered by a clearly legible inscription, as well as by the bas-reliefs with dragons that recall the papal coat of arms, the bridge was used to lead the new Acqua Felice pipeline to Trastevere, which fed the fountain in piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, but another violent flood on Christmas night in 1598 destroyed about half of the bridge, carrying away 3 arches and 2 piers. The remaining section of the bridge, anchored to the right bank, was used as a hanging garden until the end of the 17th century, when the precarious stability of the bridge made it completely unusable.In 1853, the three remaining arches were connected to the mainland on both sides with an iron footbridge. In 1887, the new footbridge was demolished along with two of the three arches to make room for a new bridge,...

This is the Ponte Rotto, or “Broken Bridge,” a remnant of ancient Rome that stands in the Tiber River near the Tiber Island. Originally named the Pons Aemilius, it was constructed in 179 BCE, making it the oldest stone bridge in Rome. The bridge was designed to connect the Forum Boarium to Trastevere, offering a vital link between the city center and the rural areas beyond. Initially built with wooden superstructures, it was fully reconstructed in stone around 142 BCE, reflecting the Romans’ growing architectural ambition and engineering prowess.

The Ponte Rotto owes its current fragmented state to a series of natural disasters. Floods, particularly the devastating one in 1598, destroyed much of the bridge, leaving only the single arch that stands today. Over the centuries, various attempts to repair and modernize the structure were made, but its strategic importance waned as other crossings were built. By the late 19th century, the Ponte Rotto was deemed obsolete, and much of it was demolished to make way for new infrastructure, leaving behind the picturesque ruin that remains a striking reminder of Rome’s layered history.

One anecdote tied to the Ponte Rotto involves its role in controlling the Tiber’s notorious floods. Medieval Romans associated the bridge with divine protection and used it as a site for ceremonies invoking safety from floods. However, its repeated destruction led to superstitions that the bridge was cursed. Its resilience in retaining even a single arch has since turned it into a symbol of endurance and a favorite spot for artists and photographers inspired by its melancholic beauty.

Today, the Ponte Rotto is both a tourist attraction and a silent observer of Rome’s bustling life. It serves as a bridge not of utility but of memory, reminding visitors of the ingenuity and fragility of Roman engineering. Its lone arch, with moss and ivy creeping across its ancient stones, reflects the passage of time and the resilience of history. Despite being reduced to a fragment, it continues to inspire stories, connecting the modern city with its...

Not much left of this ancient bridge which was also called Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge). Originally built in the 2nd century BC, this is a stone bridge fragment that hangs in the river idly these days.

Unfortunately, it suffered numerous fatal blows due to floods of the River Tiber over the centuries. Reconstructed several times, the bridge was finally abandoned. It was then mostly demolished in the late 19th century with a single arch structure left in the river for us to see today.

Worth a look while walking across the newer Ponte Palatino just to the south or if sightseeing on Isola Tiberina. You can also see it from a distance on the Trastevere side of the river north of...