This is Italy’s oldest bridge still standing, a Roman architecture marvel

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Italy, a land of culture and history dating back thousands of years, is brimming with monuments that bear witness to the greatness of Roman civilization. Among them, the Fabricius Bridge in Rome is the oldest bridge in Italy still in use today. This stone bridge over the Tiber embodies both Roman architectural ingenuity and the persistence of ancient infrastructures down the centuries.

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A thousand-year-old bridge, full of history

The Fabricius Bridge was built in 62 BC by Lucius Fabricius, a curator of Roman roads. It links the left bank of the Tiber to Tiberina Island, a small river island located in the heart of Rome. This bridge, also known as the Ponte dei Quattro Capi ("the bridge of the four heads"), is remarkable not only for its longevity, but also for its stone construction and its two massive arches that have stood the test of time. This bridge has survived more than 2,000 years of history without ever being destroyed, and today stands as a living testament to the strength of Roman engineering structures.

Its architectural features

The Fabricius bridge is 62 metres long and 5.5 metres wide, with two main arches made of stone, travertine (a limestone rock) and tuff, a material widely used in Roman construction. What sets it apart, besides its age, is the presence of a small additional arch in the centre, designed to reduce water pressure during floods.

One of the bridge’s most famous features is the presence of two pillars in the shape of the head of Janus — that has been added years later, probably in the 17th century —, who is the Roman god of gates and passages, which adorn the parapets. This is the origin of its nickname Ponte dei Quattro Capi, the « Four heads », a symbol that gives it a mythological aura.

A bridge at the heart of Rome and the Roman Empire

During the Roman Empire, the Fabricius Bridge was an important crossing point leading to the island of Tiberina, where a temple dedicated to the god of medicine Aesculapius and a hospital were located, making it a place of care and healing. This strategic location reinforced the importance of the bridge in the daily lives of the Romans.

Over the centuries, despite Rome’s many transformations, the Fabricius Bridge has remained an important route of transit. Unlike other ancient bridges, it was never rebuilt or demolished, even when it was restored under Pope Innocent XI in 1679. Most of the elements visible today are original, making it a true vestige of the Roman Republican era.

The role of the bridge today

Today, the Fabricius Bridge remains a key element of Rome’s urban landscape. Although the city has evolved over the centuries, the bridge continues to be used for pedestrian traffic. Many tourists as well as locals use it to visit Tiber Island or to admire the picturesque views over the Tiber. The bridge is surrounded by a unique setting: on one side is the lively Trastevere district, while on the other is the Ancient Rome and its archaeological wonders.

Crossing the Fabricius Bridge is to walk in the footsteps of the Romans of yesteryear, and connecting directing with one of the most fascinating periods in human history.