Rome Bridges: the passage between past and present
For centuries bridges have had a strategic importance for the cities.
Creating connections between areas often separated by rivers, bridges have always been fundamental for the social and economic development of an area.
The builders of the largest bridges in ancient times in fact were the Romans. They learned different construction techniques from the Etruscans, but developed those techniques and started using new materials, becoming in this way the greatest builders of the old age.
The bridges that cross Rome are more than thirty
In Rome the bridges were built only after that the city had taken a permanent possession of the left shore of the river Tiber. Until then indeed, it was not considered prudent to build bridges, because they could be used by the enemy to enter the city. For this reason the first bridges were made of wood, so that they could be easily destroyed in the event of enemy attacks.
The bridges that cross Rome are more than thirty. Some of them, dating back to the ancient period, are still used and still able to withstand the road traffic. Others are pedestrian bridges, like Ponte Sisto, which connects Piazza Trilussa (Trastevere) to Arenula, or the beautiful Ponte Sant’Angelo that links the rioni of Ponte and Borgo.
We could divide them in very ancient bridges, ancient, modern and contemporary ones. Many of the most ancient Roman bridges, built during the era of the emperors, such as the Bridge of four heads or Ponte Sublicio, no longer exist.
Starting from Ponte Milvio – it became famous because here young couples use to swear eternal love by attaching a padlock – then going through the cycling lane to the Isola Tiberina, specifically to Palatine Bridge, you will meet the 20 most beautiful and important bridges of Rome, among which: Ponte Vittorio Emanuele and Ponte Matteotti. Along this stretch, which includes the center of Rome, you can walk under the river bank, photographing these architectural icons from a different perspective.
A separate discussion is reserved to the modern bridges built since 2010: Ponte della Musica (in the Flaminio district), designed by a British study and Ponte Cavalcavia Ostiense, officially know as Ponte Settimia Spizzichino, both built almost completely with white steel, concrete and wood. Their special structure and style makes them amazing works of design.
Rome Bridges Map
The bridges represent an inestimable value of Roman historical and cultural heritage and have to be safeguarded. They are the symbol par excellence of the passage from the ancient to the contemporary of a city and its continuos urban expansion.
