Tiberius Island in Rome. Tiberina is a legendary island in Rome in the middle of the Tiber. Isola di S. Bartolomeo – Island of St. Bartholomew

The length of the island of Tiberina is 270 m, width - 67 m. It is located in the middle of the Tiber River, far from the main Roman attractions. Therefore, most tourists do not pay attention to it. The Romans themselves are rather happy about this, since peace and quiet are preserved in their favorite vacation spot.

Legends of the island of Tiberina

The beginning of the history of the Tiber Island (Tiberina) is associated with the death of the Roman king Lucius Tarquinius the Proud, who ruled the city in the 4th century. BC e.

Legend has it that the island of Tiberina emerged from the body of the dead Tarquin, to which silt adhered. The king was killed by his subjects when they, outraged by his cruelty, rebelled and drowned Tarquin in the Tiber. Another version of the origin of the island is also associated with Tarquinius. The Roman chronicler Livy wrote that the island was formed from grains that belonged to the king. The inhabitants of Rome poured them into the Tiber after they drove Tarquin out of the city.

It is likely that due to the memory of the difficult time of the reign of Tarquin for the inhabitants of the city, the island of Tiberina remained uninhabited for several centuries (until 293 BC) and had a bad reputation.

In 293 BC. e. A plague epidemic began in Rome. During the peak of the epidemic, the Romans tried to find help in the Books of the Sibyls (priestesses-diviners). The Sibyls said that the plague would “go away” from the city when the god of medicine, Aesculapius, came to it. The Romans immediately went to the Epidaurus sanctuary of Aesculapius to bring from there the main symbol of this god - the sacred snake.

And when they returned to Rome on a ship with a snake, then, according to another Roman legend, they landed on an abandoned Tiber island. The snake immediately crawled ashore, thus showing that it was choosing an island for its residence. After this, the plague really went away, and to preserve the memory of saving the city from the epidemic, the Romans gave Tiberina the shape of a ship.

Its banks were lined with travertine, the role of the mast was played by an obelisk, now replaced by a column on which figures of saints are installed.

Another version of the appearance of the island is that the island of Tiberina is, in fact, the ship on which the Romans sailed back to the city from Epidaurus, who were going to deliver the sacred snake. At this point the snake crawled into the water and the ship became an island. 2 years later, in 291 BC. e., on this island the temple of Aesculapius was solemnly consecrated, which was built here as a memorial sign reminiscent of salvation from the plague. Several centuries later, on the site of this temple, Holy Roman Emperor Otto III built the Church of St. Adalbert of Prague, which was restored many times throughout its existence.

Now it is called the Church of St. Bartolomeo, it contains the relics of this saint. The temple received its modern appearance after its restoration was carried out in 1624. Inside it are 4 sculptures of historical figures: Jesus Christ, St. Bartholomew, St. Adalbert of Prague and Emperor Otto III. This church, according to the decree of John Paul II issued in 2002, was consecrated in honor of the martyrs of the 20th century.

Hospital on the island

On Tiberina there are buildings of St. John's Hospital, which was built back in the 17th century. At that time, plague patients were treated there. It was simply impossible to leave the island at that moment; the territory was guarded. However, some hid in boats on which corpses were taken from the island, thus sailing away from Tiberina. Now the hospital on the island indicates that it belongs to the god Aesculapius.

Bridges

Today the island of Tiberina is connected to the city by two bridges. Both of them are very ancient, so they can be considered noteworthy attractions in themselves:

Fabricio Bridge was built in 62 BC. It was built by Lucius Fabricius and is the oldest bridge in all of Rome. Through it, the island is connected to the Jewish ghetto. Therefore, this bridge was previously called the Judean Bridge. Its length is 62 m, the width of the arches is up to 24.5 m. Another name for the bridge is the bridge of four heads, it received it due to the presence of four heads made of stone, which are located on the walls near the entrance to the bridge, as if “guarding” island. According to legend, in the 16th century, the then Pope Sixtus V ordered the execution of the architects who restored this bridge, because they were unable to find a common language among themselves to begin the work, constantly quarreling. Since there were four architects, there were four heads;
Cestio Bridge just a little “younger” than Fabricio. It was built by Lucius Cestius in 46 BC. e., through it Tiberina connects with Rome. At the end of the 9th century, this bridge was destroyed, but a little later it was rebuilt. It is also called St. Bartholomew's Bridge;
there is also third bridge, but at the moment it can hardly be said that this is a bridge, since only 1 span remains of it. The bridge collapsed at the end of the 16th century during a flood, and now it is called broken.

Tiberina today, which was actually formed from volcanic rock, the shape of which resembles a ship, does not inspire fear among the Romans, as in ancient times. This “ship” has become a popular place for walks.

How to get there?

This island is located near the Trastevere area and the Jewish Quarter. If you need to get to it from the central part of Rome on foot, you must first come to Piazza Venezia, then go around the Capitoline Hill on the right and walk along Via del Teatro Matcello. Then from this street you need to turn right towards the Marcello Theater, then pretty soon the Fabricio Bridge will be visible.

If you go down Via del Teatro Matcello a little lower, reaching the synagogue, you will see the Palatine Bridge over the Tiber, and from it it is very close to Tiberina. From the Palatine it is quite convenient to view the island and you can take good photographs.

If you don’t want to walk for a long time, then it will be difficult to use the metro, since the closest station to Tiberina is Colosseo (Colosseum), which is, however, quite far from the island.

Insula – An island born from a legend

One of the legends telling about the emergence of a small strip of land in the middle of a river with a stormy and unbridled temper is probably known to most residents of Rome. In it, the origin of the island of Tiberina is associated with the inglorious end of the reign of the last ancient Roman king Lucius Tarquinius the Proud, about which there is more.
According to another legend, the inhabitants of Rome, who rebelled (in 509 BC) against Tarquin the Proud, threw into the river the entire wheat harvest belonging to the king, collected in the fields of Campo Marzio (Campus of Mars). Gradually, in this place, a small island was formed from stones and silty layers brought by the river, stretching downstream along its bed.

View of the island of Tiberina from the Garibaldi Bridge

Insula Aesculapi – Aesculapius Island

This name was given to the island by the temple of Aesculapius, built in 293-290. BC. According to legend, at this time a serious epidemic of an unknown disease broke out in Rome, leading to the death of hundreds of its inhabitants. To get rid of the unexpected misfortune, the Senate turned to the Books of the Sibyl - ancient Greek scrolls with a collection of prophecies. The answer was found in them - to build a temple in the city in honor of the Greek healer Asclepius, revered as one of the gods, placing his statue there. To do this, the Roman Senate sent a special expedition to the Greek city of Epidaurus, where the most famous temple dedicated to this deity was located, which was supposed to bring the statue of Asclepius. During the rites of propitiation of the Great Serpent (deified in Ancient Greece), the reptile left the sanctuary and took refuge on a Roman ship. Convinced that this was a sign from the Gods, the Romans hastened to return to their city, where the epidemic was still raging.

In the riverbed, where the island of Tiberina cut its stormy waters like a wedge, the snake suddenly slid off the ship and swam to the shore. Clinging to a branch of a coastal bush bent over the water stream, it wrapped itself around it. The superstitious Romans decided that it was in this place that they should build a temple for the worship of Asclepius, whose name in Latin was interpreted as Aesculapius. After the construction and consecration of the temple in 289. BC, the epidemic really stopped.

Staff of Asclepius carved into the island's ancient travertine cladding

In memory of this event, the island of Tiberina was rebuilt in the form of a trireme - a Greek military rowing vessel. In front of this ship that was not sailing anywhere stood the temple of Aesculapius, and in the center of the island an ancient Egyptian obelisk was erected, symbolizing the mast.

Temple of Asclepius (Aesculapius)

The shores of the island were lined with travertine, fragments of which can still be seen today on its eastern tip.

Fragment of travertine cladding of the island

Isola dei Due Ponti – Island of Two Bridges

At the end of the first half of the 1st century BC, the island of Tiberina was connected to both banks of the Tiber by two bridges, after which it received its next name - the Island of Two Bridges. These ancient engineering structures above the river, despite their considerable age, still remain operational and are the oldest in Rome.

Ponte Quattro Capi or Ponte Fabricio

The Bridge of the Four Heads, better known as the Fabrizio Bridge, connected the left bank of the river with the island of Tiberina in 62. BC. It was probably erected to replace a wooden bridge that existed on the same site and had fallen into disrepair by order of Lucius Fabricius, the curator responsible for maintaining the streets of the city.

One of the carved inscriptions

Perhaps he was not only an experienced engineer, but also a rather vain person - his name and title, carved four times, can still be seen on the slab installed in honor of this event. At the end of the 17th century, under Pope Innocent XI, the travertine cladding was partially replaced by brickwork.

Ponte Cestio

The Cestius Bridge was erected on the right bank of the river almost immediately after the construction of the Fabrizio Bridge - in 46. BC. Lucius Cestius. He was the brother of one of the most noble and wealthy Romans - Caius Cestius, whose pyramidal tomb is still located near the Protestant cemetery in Rome. In 370, the Cestius Bridge was almost completely rebuilt by Emperors Valens and Valentinian I, the two brothers who ruled the Empire at the time. Valentinian’s son, Gratian, also contributed to the reconstruction of the bridge, which is why the bridge was even referred to at one time as Ponte Gratiano. Barely legible inscriptions carved into the slabs of the bridge commemorate the victories of three emperors over the Germanic tribes in the upper Rhine valleys, as well as over the Franks and Goths. This long list is evidence of the growing difficulties that the Roman Empire was experiencing on its northern borders.

The inscriptions carved into the travertine can still be read

Isola di S. Bartolomeo – Island of St. Bartholomew

After the barbarian invasions of the Visigoths and the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the ancient temple of Asclepius on the island of Tiberina was destroyed. On its ruins, Emperor Otto III of Saxony ordered the construction of a Christian basilica in memory of his close friend and adviser Albert of Prague. He was killed on April 23, 997, while trying to convert the pagan tribes of the Baltic Prussians to the evangelical faith.

However, the church, built around the year 1000, soon changed its dedication. At Otto’s request, she accepted from besieged Benevento a piece of the relics of St. Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, followers of Jesus Christ, stored there. The relic remains today in an ancient Roman porphyry bath under the altar of the church.

An ancient Roman porphyry bath containing a piece of the relics of St. Bartholomew - one of the twelve Apostles, followers of Jesus

For centuries the island of Tiberina had other names– “Sacred Island”, due to the presence of a sacred temple on a narrow strip of land; “Insular Lycaonia”, since this province of Asia Minor was also home to the Temple of Asclepius, and the Cestius Bridge was once decorated with a statue from this region. Many events associated with the island over the past centuries have been erased from human memory - they remain only in the treatises of chroniclers, which are studied by researchers. In the next article we will definitely continue the story about this corner of the Eternal City, which has its own history, but inextricably linked with Rome.

The small island of Tiberina is not on the list of must-see attractions in the Italian capital, but it still wouldn’t hurt to explore this piece of land.

It's no secret that Rome is a real open-air museum. The ruins of majestic ancient buildings, triumphal arches, ancient squares, fountains, picturesque parks and numerous cathedrals... Sometimes it seems that every metropolitan hill (if not every cobblestone) has its own story, which Italians will never tire of retelling. I don’t know what it’s like about the cobblestones, but it’s small Tiberina Island, on the Tiber, is famous for precisely this. Myths and legends are so firmly “entangled” in official history that it is no longer possible to separate one from the other. And is this really necessary if visitors here are only interested in fiction!

History and legends of Tiberina

A long time ago, namely in 534–509 BC. e., Rome was ruled by the despot and tyrant Lucius Tarquinius the Proud, the last Etruscan who was lucky enough to own the great city. His repressive policy against all adherents of the previous ruler led to the reduction of the Senate by almost half. But the circle of close lictors has expanded greatly. The large booty won by Tarquin in battles allowed him to actively develop Rome. Under this king, the construction of the city sewer system and the construction of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill were completed. At the same time, he purposefully destroyed the sanctuaries of the Sabines, and for the safety of the city, on the recommendation of the prophets, he could commit the wildest acts, for example, burying people alive in the market square.

The patience of the Romans was overflowing when Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the ruler, raped the virtuous wife of one of the patricians, Lucretia. The people rebelled and simply expelled Tarquin the Proud from Rome. This event marked the beginning of the history of the Roman Republic. And according to one legend, it was in the year of the Roman uprising against the tyrant that a small island appeared on the Tiber River. Rumor has it that Tarquin the Proud was killed in 509 BC. e., his body was thrown into the river, where, overgrown with silt and mud, it soon turned into an island.

In fairness, we note that this story is just a fiction, since the fleeing tyrant lived for quite a long time and died only in 495 BC. in Kumy.

Another story is a little more true, according to which the angry inhabitants of Rome, after the overthrow of Tarquin, plundered his granary, throwing grain and unmilked sheaves into the river. True, historians also refute this version, proving that a piece of land on the Tiber appeared long before the rule of Rome by the Etruscan despot.

Be that as it may, from then on Tiberina became a refuge for outcasts and enjoyed disrepute among the local population. Only another misfortune helped to correct the situation. In the 3rd century BC. the plague simply “mowed down” the Romans. Only faith helped to cope with this scourge in those years. The prediction of the Cumaean Sibyl, the scrolls with which were purchased by Tarquinius, promised Rome salvation only after a temple was built in honor of the Greek god of healing Aesculapius or Asclepius. And this sanctuary will be “correct” if the earth and the statue of the deity are brought from the Greek city of Eupidara. In 293 BC. e. The Roman Senate equipped the expedition on its journey. Upon returning to his native harbor, the huge snake Aesculapius crawled out of the ship and settled on the island. It was decided to build a temple there. Although some claim that after the snake appeared to people, the ship itself turned into the island of Tiberina.

Already in the 1st century, the Romans finally turned the island into a ship sailing to Eupidar: they lined it with travertine, and instead of a mast they installed an obelisk (now it is a column with saints). Around the same period, the Fabrizio Bridge, which connects the island of Tiberina in Rome with the Campus Martius, and the Cestio Bridge, leading to the Trastevere area, appeared. Since then, local residents have called Tiberina “an island between two bridges.”

The Temple of Asclepius is far from the only sanctuary on the island. Unfortunately, like the temple of Aesculapius itself, numerous altars to other pagan gods have not survived to this day. Already in 998, a church appeared on the ruins, and in 1584, the monks of the Order of Bonifrators built a hospital in the western part of the island, which is still functioning today.

Tiberina Island today

The island of Tiberina is located south of on the Tiber River in the province. Its length is 270 meters, width is 67 meters. An artificial terrace along the perimeter is a place for those who like to relax in the sun. From a distance, the island resembles a ship that has run aground.

The entire right half of the island of Tiberina is occupied by the active hospital of San Giovanni di Dio, better known as Fatebenefratelli (“Brothers, do good”). The landscape on the left side of the island is much more interesting. Four heads on the ancient Fabrizio Bridge guard the entrance to Tiberina. Here you can see what remains of the Pierleoni Tower, built in the 10th century. Although the appearance of this building is extremely unassuming, there were times in the history of the tower when it even served as the residence of the Pope.

The bell tower of the Basilica of St. Bartolomeo (Bartholomew) on the island (Basilica di San Bartolomeo all’Isola) “peeks out” from behind the Pierleoni Tower. It was erected by order of Emperor Otto III in 998, who wished to perpetuate the memory of Adalbert of Prague. The basilica was built on the ruins of the Temple of Aesculapius by the year 1000. There are steps leading up to her altar, into which is built a marble bowl, which most likely served as a well cover in an ancient sanctuary. The columns were also “donated” by the Temple of Asclepius. To the right of the bowl is an Arabic bronze vessel in which Otto transported the relics of Bartholomew. There are also four sculptures depicting Adalbert of Prague, Otto III, Jesus and possibly St. Bartholomew. This is perhaps all that remains of the original basilica building. The church was restored several times. The basilica was given its current appearance in 1624 by Martino Longhi the Younger after the flood of 1583. Internal restoration work was also carried out more than once. Thus, in 1720-1739, the inside of the temple acquired baroque features, and in 1852-1865 - historicism.

Travelers who go behind the church discover a descent to the river. This place “on the bow of the ship” has long been chosen by couples in love. Immediately, dejected fishermen are trying to fish something out of the waters of the Tiber. Sometimes they even succeed...

Tiberina Island

The most pleasant way to get to Trastevere is through the only island on the Tiber - Tiberina(Isola Tiberina). Just before crossing the river, it’s worth stepping back a little and looking upstream from the Aventine Embankment (Lungotevere Aventino) or from the Palatine Bridge (Ponte Palatino). Then it will be seen that the island has a strikingly regular shape. According to legend, this is not even an island, but a ship on which the Romans sailed to Epidaurus, to the temple of the god of health Aesculapius, in order to rid the city of pestilence. Even the date is known - 293 BC. A huge snake crawled out of the temple, which the ambassadors brought back to its homeland. At this point she slipped into the water, and the ship turned into an island dedicated to Aesculapius. At least the temple of Aesculapius has been here since time immemorial. In the 17th century, partly due to tradition, but mainly for security reasons, a plague infirmary was established on the island. All approaches and berths were strictly guarded; The only way to get out was to take a boat carrying out the corpses. Then it was replaced by the San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, better known as Ospedale Fatebenefratelli, that is, “Brothers, do good.” Its buildings occupy the entire right half of the island.

On the left the landscape is more interesting. The entrance to the island is guarded by four marble heads on the ancient (62 BC) Fabricio Bridge (Ponte Fabricio) and a stump Pierleoni towers(Torre dei Pierleoni, 10th century). The tower looks rather unassuming, but at one time - in the 11th century - it served as the papal residence. A low Romanesque campanile protrudes from behind the tower Church of San Bartolomeo all Isola(San Bartolomeo all Isola), founded in the 10th century by Emperor Otto III. A marble medieval bowl is embedded in the steps leading to the altar - most likely, it served as a lid for a well that remained from the temple of Aesculapius (the columns are also from there, by the way). To the right of it stands a bronze Arabic vessel in which Otto transported the relics of St. Bartholomew from Benevento. And almost nothing else remained of the original building: in 1557, another flood swept it away. The current version is by Martino Longhi the Younger (1624).

Behind the church on the left there is a descent to the river - there, behind the dam, on the pointed bow of the island ship, couples sunbathe and dejected fishermen sit. Sometimes, oddly enough, they get a bite. If you don’t go down anywhere, then according to the antique (albeit remade in 1892) Cestio Bridge(Ponte Cestio) you can get into the very heart of Trastevere.

Fatebenefratelli Hospital has one of the best emergency departments in the city

Church of San Bartolomeo all Isola

Mon-Sun 9.00-12.30, 16.00-18.30

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From ancient times to the present day, Tiberina is the only island on the Tiber River that flows through the territory. Not only its history, but also its appearance itself is covered in legends.

There are two versions: according to one of them, this piece of land arose as a result of the accumulation of silt, fragments of stones and trees around the body of Emperor Tarquin the Proud, who was killed by the rebel Romans in 509. According to another version, the island grew out of a heap of sheaves of wheat that Roman peasants threw into the river as a sign of protest against the dictatorship of the emperor. True, scientists refute both of these hypotheses, arguing that the island appeared much earlier than Tarquin came to power, and the emperor himself died far from Rome.

Be that as it may, until the 3rd century Tiberina remained a deserted corner, and only in 293 the first building appeared here - the sanctuary of Aesculapius (Asclepius). In honor of this, the island was called Insula Aesculapi for some time.

In the 10th century, after the devastating raids of the Visigothic tribes, the temple was destroyed, but a new shrine appeared next to its ruins. In 998, Emperor Otto III decided to build a basilica here in honor of his friend, the missionary Albert of Prague, who was killed by the pagans. Later, this church became known as San Bartolomeo due to the fact that the relics of St. Bartholomew, one of the apostles, were transferred to it. Meanwhile, the island once again changed its name, this time to Isola di S. Bartolomeo.

In the 14th century, Tiberina acquired another church - San Giovanni Chalibita, and in the 16th century a monastery hospital appeared here. By the way, this hospital still operates today, being one of the best emergency centers in Rome.

Interesting: the hospital on the island has a long and unusual name Fatebenefratelli (Ospedale Fatebenefratelli) - it is translated as a call to do good, with which the monks addressed the Romans, asking them for alms for the sick.

How to get to Tiberina Island

The small island on the Tiber River is connected to the rest of Rome by two bridges. Ponte Cestia or Ponte Cestio is laid from the southwestern coast, and Ponte Fabrizio leads from the Campus Martius to the northeast.

The exact address: Isola Tiberina, 00186, Rome, Italy.

How to get there from Termini railway station:

Option 1

Bus: take route No. 170 from the station to the Petroselli stop or take route H to the Foro Olitorio stop, the journey takes 10 minutes.

On foot: from any of the stops to the Fabrizio Bridge is about 150 meters.

How to get there from Fiumicino Airport:

Option 1

Train: take flight FL1R 22123 to Roma Trastevere station in about 26 minutes.

Tram: from the stop at Arenula/Min. G. Giustizia take route No. 8 to the Belli stop, the journey takes 10 minutes.

On foot: from the Belli stop to the Cestia Bridge is about 250 meters.

Option 2

Train: take flight REG22123 to Roma Ostiense station in 30 minutes.

Bus: From the Ostiense stop, take route No. 716 to the Petroselli stop for about 6 minutes.

On foot: from Petroselli to Ponte Fabrizio 150 meters.

Tiberina Island on the map

What to see

The island of Tiberina can be called tiny, it is only 270 meters long and does not exceed 67 meters in width. Since antiquity, this piece of land has been lined along its entire perimeter with travertine stone, which was later partially replaced with brickwork. As a result, today it is framed by an artificial stone terrace.

On the right, almost half of the island is occupied by the Fatebenefratelli hospital or, as it is also called, San Giovanni di Dio. The building of this hospital is interesting in its own way, but even more interesting is the small church of St. John Kushchnik adjacent to it. On its wall you can see a copy of an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary from the 13th century, while the original itself is located inside the temple. But to see the most striking sights, it is worth going in the other direction from the San Giovanni di Dio hospital - to the left half of the island.

Ancient buildings of the island of Tiberina:

Pierleoni Tower (Caetani)- this 10th-century structure will be the first to be seen by those arriving from the left bank of the Tiber. Quite modest at first glance, the tower was once part of the fortress of Margravine Matilda of Tuscany, as well as the residence of Pope Boniface VIII. It is in honor of the latter that it is sometimes called Caetani (the pontiff was a representative of this noble family).

Fabrizia Bridge- a monumental two-arch bridge leading from the island to the left bank of the Tiber. It is considered one of the two most ancient in Rome, since it was built back in 62 BC. This building received the name Ponte Fabricio in honor of its founder, Lucius Fabricius, as evidenced by the inscriptions preserved on the stone.

Cestius Bridge- the second of a pair of oldest bridges in Rome. He was transferred from the island to the right bank of the Tiber almost immediately after the completion of Ponte Fabrizio. And, by the way, there are also inscriptions on it that are 2,000 years old.

Basilica of San Bartolomeo- a church that has been rebuilt several times, where the relics of St. Bartholomew, one of the 12 first apostles, are kept in a porphyry bowl near the altar. Since it was built on the ruins of the Temple of Aesculapius and was originally dedicated to Albert of Prague, in the temple you can see reminders of all periods of its difficult history. So, columns from the ancient sanctuary remain here, there are statues of Albert of Prague and the Roman Emperor Otto III.

Ruins of the Emilia Bridge- one stone span remaining from an ancient building from the 2nd century BC that connected the banks of the Tiber. This bridge was repaired many times and served until the end of the 16th century. However, after the collapse, they no longer began to restore it, and over time, a new Palatino Bridge was built nearby. The ruins were called Ponte Rotto (literally “destroyed bridge”).

Also among the attractions on the island of Tiberina is the 19th century obelisk column with statues of several saints. It was built on the site of an ancient obelisk taken from Greece back in antiquity. By the way, the fragments of this monument can be found in.

Interesting: In summer, the island of Tiberina blossoms - from mid-July to early September, the Isola del Cinema film festival is held here, and in the evenings there is a fair on the embankment.

Sights of the island of Tiberina on the map

In the 16th century, the restoration of the Fabricius Bridge was carried out by 4 architects, who did not get along very well with each other. As a result, on the orders of Sixtus V, they were all executed, and in memory of this, two steles with four heads were installed - on them the masters were still forced to put up with each other. This monument can still be seen today near the Fabrizia Bridge.

The Caetani or Pierleoni Tower also has a third name - the Tower of the Virgin, which the fortress received because of its original feature. In one of its walls you can see the marble head of a young girl, fixed directly into the brickwork.

There is a legend about how the Romans chose the site for the temple of Aesculapius. At the height of the plague, they sent messengers for the statue of the god Asclepius (Greek name Aesculapius) to the city of Eupidar. According to the prediction, this statue and the temple built in honor of it were supposed to save Rome from harm. But when the ship with valuable cargo was returning back, in the area of the island of Tiberina, a snake slid out of it (a symbol of healing) and swam to the nearest land. That’s how it was decided that the temple of Aesculapius should be built on this island.

The original shape of the island, which resembles a ship, also did not arise by chance. After the story of the snake, the Romans gave such shape to this elongated piece of land in honor of the very ship that was carrying the statue of Asclepius. They lined the edges of the island with travertine, and an ancient obelisk played the role of a mast.

Virtual tour

The island of Tiberina is often not included in the list of the most important attractions of Rome, but this is completely in vain - it deserves to be part of an exciting excursion. You can come here on your own and for free, see the ruins of the oldest bridge in the city, touch the shrine of the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all’Isola, and stand under the walls of the ancient Caetani tower. There are also many attractions around the island on both banks of the Tiber. On the one hand, it’s a stone’s throw from here to the Theater of Marcellus, the Crypt of Balbi, the Capitoline Square, and on the other hand, there is an ancient district with a number of beautiful basilicas nearby.

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