Ponte di Tiberio – Bridging the Centuries

From Bologna, the food capital of Italy, I took the one-hour train journey down to Rimini and met up with fellow BlogVille housemates. Rimini’s Centro Storico was calling so we headed out for a quick exploration and a bite to eat before sundown.  

Rimini’s pretty old town has a number of notable historic structures but one that really caught my attention was the ancient Bridge of Tiberius or Ponte di Tiberio at the end of Via Corso d’Augusto.

Ponte di Tiberio dates back to 21 AD

Can you believe that this bridge is almost 2000 years old? It’s one of the best preserved bridges from the Roman period and being such an old soldier it’s a bridge with baggage.

In 14 AD the Emperor Augustus ordered that a bridge be built over the River Marecchia which would ensure that Via Emilia, one of the Roman Empires’ five most important roads, could continue its planned route north – the bridge marks the start of Via Emilia. 

Seven years later in 21 AD under the rule of new Emperor Tiberio, the bridge was completed. An inscription on the inner parapet tells as “given by both emperors”.  The bridge can also be referred to by its Latin name as Ponte d’Augusto.

Construction of Ponte di Tiberio

Built entirely from white Istrian limestone, the Doric style bridge has five arches is 70-metres long and showcases the technical expertise of the Romans. They built the bridge without separating the foundations of the individual pillars thereby creating a solid structure that has stood both the test of time, and attempts by both man and nature to destroy it.

Alive with history, Tiberio has survived earthquakes, floods and wartime attacks and escaped intact from the 551 war between the Goths and Byzantines. More recently, during WWII, it was the only bridge over The Marecchia to survive destruction attempts by the Germans on their retreat from the Battle of Rimini.

The bridge connects Rimini city centre with the more historic downtown of Borgo San Giuliano. The houses in this small fishing village are painted with colourful frescos and murals depicting the life and works of film director Federico Fellini who was born in Rimini. 

There are also some lovely little restaurants and bars where we enjoyed our first piadinas in Rimini. These flat breads originate from the Emilia-Romagna region and are delicious filled with cheese.

Ponte di Tiberio Today

The water flowing beneath the bridge today forms part of Rimini’s marina, the River Marecchia was re-routed some years ago to prevent flooding. The bridge is still well used by both pedestrians and traffic although heavy vehicles are now forbidden. 

The narrow raised walking slabs either side of the road are worn smooth and shiny and it’s rare that there’s not some sort of vehicle using the bridge at any one time.  It’s still very much a working bridge.

In 1885 the bridge became a national monument – and not a minute too soon!  I hope this beautiful bridge, that’s stood the test of time, is still standing in another thousand years to come.