- Tiber island is located in the middle of the river Tiber in Rome.
- The Temple of Asclepius in Rome was built on the Island in 291 BCE. The entire island was reconstructed out of marble to represent the shape of a ship. Only the marble prow remains today.
Getting There
- Location: Tiber Island is accessed by the Ponte Fabricio from the east and the Ponte Cestio from the west.
Temple of Asclepius in Rome
- The Temple was started in 293 BCE, after a great Plague had hit Rome. It was ordered by the Roman Senate after consulting the Sybilline Books.
- A ship was sent to Epidauras to obtain a statue of Asclepius.
- They also obtained a snake which entwined itself around the mast, like the Rod of Asclepius.
On arrival in Rome it slithered onto the island and was seen as a sign sent from Asclepius to build his Temple there. - The entire Tiber Island was covered in white limestone called Travertine and shaped like a Trireme as a reminder of this event.
- It was given a prow and a stern, and an obelisk was placed in the centre to represent the mast.
The Site today
- The Temple was destroyed and replaced in c. 1,000 CE by the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola. The fresh water well near the altar is the original well used during the Roman period.
- In keeping with the same theme, a hospital was built in 1584 CE, which also stands on the site of the Temple, but on the opposite end to the Basilica.
Stone Roman Prow
- The Stone Roman prow is still visible today at the base of the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola, where it points to the remaining arch of the Pons Aemilius.
Ponte Fabricio (62 BCE)
- The Bridge of Fabricius, also known as the Ponte Fabricio in Italian and the Pons Fabricio in Latin, is the original and best preserved bridge in Rome. It connects Tiber Island with the East Bank of the Tiber.
- It was built in 62 BCE, and on the parapet are two marble pillars known as the Quattro Capi, which each have a double headed sculpture of Janus.
Ponte Cestio (62-27 BCE)
- The Ponte Cestio or Pons Cestius in Latin, connects Tiber Island with the West Bank of the Tiber.
- It was the first stone bridge from Tiber island to the Trastevere area.
- It was rebuilt in 370 CE.
- Then completely rebuilt and lengthened in 1888-92 CE. Only the middle span is original.
Photo and map: Stone Roman Prow under the Basilica of San Bartolomeo, Tiber Island