Skip to Content

Ponte di Tiberio – Bridging the Centuries

After eating my way through Bologna, the food capital of Italy, I took the one-hour train journey down to Rimini. There we met up with our fellow BlogVille housemates Erin and Norbert at the BlogVille apartments. From there we headed into Rimini’s Centro Storico for a quick exploration before sundown and a bite to eat.  

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, Rimini

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.

Inscriptions on Ponti di Tiberio
Ponte de Tiberio Bridge

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.

Ponti di Tiberio Bridge, Rimini
Ponte di Tiberio looking towards Borgo San Giuliano

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 – a filled flat bread originating from the Emilia-Romagna region.

Ponte di Tiberio, Rimini
Ponte di Tiberio, looking back to Rimini’s old town

 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.

Ponte di Tiberio, Rimini

campanulladellaanna

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

STUNNING bridging, wonderful !

The Travelbunny

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

It's a wonderful old bridge! Thanks for stopping by :)

Madhu

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

The Romans building skills were incomparable weren't they? Amazing bridge and beautiful shots Suzanne.

The Travelbunny

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

Thank you Madhu, it's incredible when you think how old that bridge is.

memographer

Thursday 28th of February 2013

I am fascinated by bridges. This is a great story of one of them. 2000 yo!! Unbelievable! Enjoyed the photos from all possible angles too. Thanks!

The Travelbunny

Thursday 28th of February 2013

Thank you for dropping by and so glad I've introduced you to another bridge :)

Photography Journal Blog

Wednesday 27th of February 2013

Interesting history. I like the photos too :)

The Travelbunny

Thursday 28th of February 2013

Thank you PJB :)

megtraveling

Wednesday 27th of February 2013

What a beautiful bridge with quite a history! It sounds like you had a lot of fun in Italy... :)

The Travelbunny

Thursday 28th of February 2013

I adored Italy Meg :)

Comments are closed.