Five Romantic Bridges in Rome
Strolling along water in the twilight hours can be pure magic. Here’s my list of the most romantic bridges in Rome.
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Rome’s Tiber or Tevere river may be one of the most languid, dull waterways flowing through any European capital and out to the sea past Fiumicino Airport. Starlings cause a racket – and a mess – when they come back to the trees along the river at night. And homeless people use the area under the bridges as their living room (- and bathroom). But even so, there’s something inherently romantic about strolling along water in the twilight hours, when the sun sets over the ancient pillars and domes.
Unlike the Seine or the Thames, the Tiber is no longer navigable. Silting and sedimentation has closed it off for traffic and moved life from the river to high embankments, where even houses keep their distance.
In between the wide avenues along the river banks, dozens of bridges hold the city together. The Romans were the world’s first major bridge builders, and even though most of the constructions are relatively new, these five bridges do call for a beguiled and captivated sigh.
Ponte Fabricio leading out to the Tiberina island.
Ponte Fabricio
Ponte Fabricio is the oldest bridge in Rome, still in everyday use. It connects the Jewish ghetto with the Isola Tiberina island. Guarded by two marble pillars with two-faced Janus heads, the bridge is a symbol of transitions and beginnings, a place from where you can see the future and the past.
In the Middle Ages, Isola Tiberina was consecrated to the god of medicine. This was reinforced by the presence of a spring of health-giving water, so the island became a place of healing and hospitals. A position it has maintained up to the present.
Thousands of tourists pass Ponte Sisteo every day on their way from Trastevere to Campo de’ Fiori.
Ponte Sisteo
A little further north a footbridge connects the popular night-life areas near Campo de’ Fiori with Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere where people gather for an apperitivo.
Angels guard pilgrims crossing the Tiber on their way to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The bridge is characteristic because of its central ‘Occulus’ or eye and has been featured in films, music videos and adverts.
Ponte Sant’Angelo
The most famous and elegant bridge in Rome is undoubtedly Ponte Sant’Angelo leading from the city to Castel Sant’Angelo, where an angle is said to have appeared to announce the end of the plague. In the past, pilgrims used this bridge to reach St. Peter’s Basilica, and in 1450 the crowds were so great the bridge yielded and many pilgrims drowned. Later, the bridge was used to expose the bodies of the executed, there was a toll to finance the marble statues, before modern tourists took over free of charge.
Look over the parapet and you’ll see a nice, little city beach. The best view and photo of the bridge and St Peter’s Basilica can be had from Ponte Umberto I.
Ponte Cavour
As a bridge Ponte Cavour does not stand out, if it hadn’t been for a jobless Belgian lifeguard who on New Years Day 1946 decided to take a dive from the 17 metre high bridge in order to advertise his skills. Since then ‘il tuffo di Capodanno’ has become a tradition even though firefighters and police try to call it off. The stunt is regarded as dangerous, as the waters of the Tevere are cold and muddy and the river is not really deep enough for a dive from such a height. One man, the 58-year-old Maurizio Palmulli, has taken the plunge 23 times.
A padlocked moment on Ponte Milvio.
Ponte Milvio
This bridge in northern Rome was the site of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and a place of economic and strategic importance in the era of the Roman Empire.
In 2006 Ponte Milvio featured in the film ‘Ho voglio di te’ as a place where young couples locked their love to a lamppost with a padlock and threw the key in the river. A year later there were so many padlocks that the lamppost collapsed. Instead the padlocks were attached to every other surface at hand, including some steel wires erected to the purpose. In general Ponte Milvio is a popular place for young people to hang around or meet before going to the nearby bars.
We walked across Ponte Sant Angelo – and what a most attractive bridge it was too! Would have liked to have seen Ponte Milvio. Looks really interesting.
Julia
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Ciao!
I love bridges with padlocks on them, I think it’s such romantic tradition :) Nice round up!
Great post…I like photographing bridges, especially, ones that are historic. Hopefully I’ll see those in Rome soon:)
What gorgeous bridges — and you get to walk across history. Nice post!
The bridges look beautiful especially Ponte Milvio but the thought of going anywhere near that polluted water puts me off.
I haven’t been to any of these! Guess I need to plan another trip to Italy! I love the idea of the padlocks, how romantic.
I walked across two of these only yesterday! Pretty bridges in Rome.
I love the love locks! Have seen similar ones in Paris and Koln, but the Italian ones seem a lot more romantic.
I cannot imagine jumping into that water!! The bridges are gorgeous though. I love the idea of the padlocks, something I’ve only seen in the movies!
Love this idea of visiting bridges in Rome, it’s amazing ow much there is to do there.
I love ponte Sisto, as well as Ponte Milvio, the place where the young ones hang out at night in the summer and winter.
Nice shots
Great shots! Sadly, I’ve only crossed one of these bridges which was Ponte Sant’Angelo and it was very impressive. Those padlocks would be a cool place to visit in Ponte Milvio.
Ha! In all my time in Rome, I don’t even remember a bridge. I guess I should have paid more attention as a couple of these are really nice! :)
Must admit it took me some years – or ten – to discover the bridges in Rome too. Mostly because I didn’t realize there was water beneath Ponte Sant’Angelo.
*sigh* I heart Rome, including the bridges. I’ve only been across Ponte Fabricio and Ponte Sant’Angelo, the latter being quite dramatic and photogenic. Lovely post!
My favorite is the Ponte Sant’Angelo, but you sure picked out some other great spots.
Kudos to the folks that are brave enough to dive in on New Year’s Day! That is a tradition I still can’t believe….that water must be cold!
I loved your comment on the Ponte San Angelo (I imagine because you were busy looking at the beautiful things ahead – the castle and San Pietro :)
I never knew Ponte Fabricio was the oldest bridge in Rome. Do you know from what time it dates?
Thanks
Rome is a romantic city full stop. Some of the architecture there is amazing.
Love the idea of love locks! What a romantic idea!
Yes, it is quite cute – unless it is a mass movement.