Ponte Rotto and Ponte Palatino

This image from Ponte Palatino is part of one of the panoramic images found on the PanoramicEarth.com Tour of Rome. There are over 100 images taken from around Rome linked to an interactive map.

Full panorama of the Ponte Palatino

This is a very wide angle view taken from the Ponte Palatino. The dominant area in the middle of the picture is the Isola Tiberina on which you will find the church of S Bartholomeo and the Ospedale Fatebenefratelli. The island is worth a visit as it is peaceful with few cars. To the left of the island, above the weir in the Tiber, is the Ponte Cestio linking the island to Trastevere.

The remains of an ancient bridge in the right side is of archeological interest. This is the sole remaining arch of the Ponte Rotto, which was the first stone bridge to span the Tiber. Originally the Ponte Rotto was called the Pons Aemilius, the pillars of this ancient bridge date from 179 BC, while the arches connecting them date from 142 BC. It was repaired several times from the 13C onwards until the final collapse in 1598, when it became known as the Ponte Rotto.

On the other side of Ponte Palatino, but not visible here, is the mouth of the largest sewer in ancient Rome, the Cloaca Maxima.

Ponte Palatino is an iron bridge resting on 4 stone pillars built between 1886 and 1890 designed by Vescovali. The name comes from the Palatine Hill nearby to the North. The bridge itself is not at all attractive, but offers a vital traffic link for Rome. It is the best place to see the Ponte Rotto and has pleasant views up the Tiber. It one of the longest bridge in Rome, measuring 155m.

The full panoramic image showing views both up- and down-river is found on the Rome tour by PanoramicEarth.com. For better appreciation of this image go to the collection on Flickr.

For more articles on Rome see the Rome Index or select one of the labels at the bottom.