Pons Aemilius, known in Rome as Ponte Rotto, is the surviving fragment of an ancient bridge in the Tiber near Tiber Island. Built in stone in the 2nd century BC, it once crossed the river; floods and repeated repairs eventually left just one arch. You cannot walk onto the ruin, but you can view it from nearby bridges or from the island. Look for the arch rising from the water, then continue to Isola Tiberina or the Forum Boarium to see more of this stretch of the river.
A bridge with many names
Pons Aemilius began as a wooden crossing in the 2nd century BC. A stone bridge replaced it around 142 BC, linking Rome across the Tiber. It was also called Ponte Massimo and, in later centuries, Ponte Santa Maria and Ponte dei Senatori. The name Ponte Rotto, or Broken Bridge, reflects the fragment left in the river today.
The bridge’s position exposed it to the Tiber’s strong currents and repeated floods. Damage led to repairs and rebuilding over many centuries. A major restoration in 1552, based on a design by Michelangelo, did not last: another flood swept the bridge away five years later. A further reconstruction followed in 1573, but the crossing was eventually abandoned.
What remains in the Tiber
The bridge once had several arches. Today, one stands above the water, supported by four large rounded piers. It is a small surviving part of a crossing that once spanned the river, and its isolation gives a clear sense of how much has disappeared.
The ruin cannot be entered. For a closer look, reach the lower riverside area on Tiber Island by steps; from there, the arch and the riverbed stones are visible. There is no shelter at this spot. You can also see the remains from Ponte Palatino, just to the south, or from the Trastevere side of the river.
Planning a stop
Ponte Rotto works best as a short stop on a walk around the river rather than as a destination to enter. Early morning or late afternoon is suggested for photographs and a quieter visit. The nearby Tiber Island and Forum Boarium can extend the walk, while a view from Ponte Palatino puts the fragment in context beside a newer bridge.
A carved serpent on Tiber Island is another detail to look for nearby. The surviving arch is the main reason to pause here; there is no route onto the bridge itself.
Perguntas frequentes
Can you walk on Pons Aemilius?
No. The surviving bridge fragment is inaccessible. You can view it from nearby bridges or from the lower riverside area on Tiber Island.
Where is Ponte Rotto?
It stands in the Tiber near Tiber Island in Rome. Ponte Palatino, just to the south, is one nearby place to view it from.
When is a good time to visit?
Early morning or late afternoon is suggested for a quieter visit and better light for photographs.
How old is Pons Aemilius?
The bridge began as a wooden crossing in the 2nd century BC. It was rebuilt in stone around 142 BC.
