L' Ephémère In Roma

It's the entrance to Trastevere, very pretty

Beautiful. Fantastic area for walking along the river. Fairs, promenades, etc. Trastevere has its charm.

The Ponte Cestio (Pons Cestius) is a historic bridge spanning the southern side of the Tiber Island, Isola Tiberina. It connects the island with the Trastevere district. Its history is closely linked to the Ponte Fabricio, located directly opposite it, which connects the other side of the island with the historical center of Rome. Together, the two bridges form a unique traffic route: downtown Rome → Ponte Fabricio → Isola Tiberina → Ponte Cestio → Trastevere. The origin of the bridge is generally attributed to the mid-1st century BC. - Its builder may have been Lucius Cestius, of whom little is known. This is why the bridge was named Pons Cestius, or "Cestius' Bridge". - The original bridge has of course been rebuilt several times over the centuries. - The bridge played an important role in traffic across the Tiber. - The Tiber Island was particularly important because it provided a natural crossing point between the two banks of the river. - Together, the Ponte Fabricio and the Ponte Cestio formed a kind of "river passage": Forum Holitorium → Ponte Fabricio → island → Ponte Cestio → Trastevere. - This was significant not only for transport, but also for trade. The structure of the ancient Ponte Cestio differed from the bridge of today. - The Roman bridge originally consisted of a large central arch and two smaller side arches. - The central opening of the bridge was particularly large to ensure the proper flow of the Tiber water. - Roman engineers also sought to ensure that the bridge: resisted floods, properly channeled the river water, and was durable. One of the important reconstructions of the bridge took place in AD 370, during the reigns of the emperors Valentinian, Valens and Gratian. - At that time, it was significantly restored and rebuilt. - The memory of the reconstruction is also preserved in a Latin inscription. - This shows that the bridge was an important transport route even in the late Roman period. - After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the bridge remained in use. - However, it was constantly threatened by the floods of the Tiber. - It was repaired several times in the Middle Ages, and the environment of the bridge gradually changed. - Meanwhile, the Tiber Island became increasingly a Christian religious center. - The island still has the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola, which in ancient times was the site of the healing sanctuary of Aesculapius. Today's Ponte Cestio is no longer entirely the ancient bridge. - During the large-scale urban development of Rome in the 19th century, the bridge was significantly rebuilt and widened. - This happened because the old bridge was no longer sufficient due to the regulation of the Tiber and the new urban transport needs. - Between 1888 and 1892, a substantially new bridge was built around the old structure. - The new bridge preserves the memory of the ancient Ponte Cestio, but only part of its original Roman structure has survived. - This is an important difference compared to the Ponte Fabricio. Therefore, the Ponte Fabricio is indeed one of the best examples of original Roman bridge construction, while the Ponte Cestio is more of a juxtaposition of the ancient bridge and the modern city. The history of the Ponte Cestio cannot be understood without the Isola Tiberina. - The island was already a special place in ancient times. The Romans dedicated it to Aesculapius, the god of healing. - According to legend, during a plague epidemic, Roman envoys went to Epidaurus, the cult place of Aesculapius in Greece. The sacred snake of the deity supposedly got on a ship, and when they reached Rome, it abandoned the ship on an island in the Tiber. - The Romans considered this a divine sign and built a sanctuary of Aesculapius here. - The island therefore became famous as a healing place in ancient times.

Beautiful bridge...and under its arches they have set up stalls and small shops and relaxation areas and nice restaurants good value for money

An old bridge connects Trastevere to the Jewish Quarter, passing over the island where there's a hospital, a sort of nursing home, a church on the right, and an old pharmacy. Unfortunately, you can't go down to the riverbank. The church is rarely open, and you have to sneak in after an event to visit it. There's a nice little bar there before you cross the Tiber again to head north.

Beautiful and something you pass by on your walk in Rome.

I went to see Daniele Si Nasce's concert... truly spectacular! A true legend in a breathtaking setting ❤️

It connects the western side of the Tiber Island with the Trastevere district. Great little place!

It is the bridge that connects Tiber Island with the right bank of the Tiber, at the height of Lungotevere degli Anguillara, near Piazza in Piscinula, in Trastevere.

Such an amazing and beautiful bridge view near Trastevere.