The island of Tiberina (Isola Tiberina) - a unique corner of Rome, which rests on the water surface between the right and left banks of the Tiber River (Tevere). A neat piece of land resembling a boat in outline is the only island along the entire river! Tiberina has been connected with both banks of the capital by pedestrian bridges since ancient times.
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- The size of the island is quite modest: 270 m long, 67 m wide, surface - about 0.018 km2. Exact geographical location: 41 ° 53'27 "N 12 ° 28'38" E.
Story
The ancient name of Tiberina is "Insula Inter-Duos-Pontes", that is, "Island-between-two-bridges." Ponte Fabricio Bridge connects the road leading to the Champ de Mars (Campo Marzio) on the left bank of the Tiber with the northeastern part of the island. While the bridge of Cestio (Ponte Cestio), allows you to stroll from the southern part of the island to the area Trastevere (Trastevere), located on the right bank of Rome.
Legend
Exists the legend of the Roman tyrant Tarquius Proud (Latin Tarquinius Superbus), who ruled the empire in the 6th century BC. The ruler was so cruel and unjust to his people that the Romans overthrew him and drowned him in the river. The body of the tyrant went to the bottom, where river silt and mud formed an underwater grave around it. Over time, the island of Tiberina grew over the site of the death of Tarquia.
Since the Romans did not like the overthrown ruler, the island remained not cultivated until the 3rd century BC. By the end of the third century, during the height of the plague epidemic in Tiberina, it was decided to organize a hospital - the temple of Aesculapius (lat.Aesculapius).
Another legend saysthat the island as a place for the construction of the temple was not chosen by chance. The Romans took the snake as an ancient symbol of medicine, and sailed with it along the Tiber in a boat. Curled up in a ring of snakes, he left the ark and swam to the island. Thus, the god Aesculapius let know where he wants to see his temple.
Historians are inclined to think that the temple was built on the island because of its remoteness from the main place of residence of the Romans. Over time, the sanctuary of Aesculapius acquired a high status among residents of the capital, Tiberina turned into a revered and sacred place. The coast of the island was covered with travertine to give it a greater resemblance to a ship. In the center of the stronghold, an obelisk was installed to symbolize the mast.
Christian times
In 998, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Otto III (lat. Otto III) built a basilica on the island of Tiber, which he dedicated to the memory of the Czech saint Adalbert of Prague (Latin Adalbertus Pragensis). In the 12th century, the temple got its current name - Basilica of St. Bartholomew (Basilica di San Bartolomeo). At the beginning of the 20th century, Tiberina acquired his middle name - the island of St. Bartholomew (Isola di S. Bartolomeo). Also often the Chestio Bridge is called after the Holy Apostle.
In 1584, the island regained its fame as a place associated with medicine, a hospital was opened here (Ospedale Fatebenefratelli)which functions to this day. The hospital building is located in the western part of Tiberina and is subordinate to the Order of the Hospitallers John of God (L'Ordine ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Dio).
The ancient obelisk was destroyed in the Middle Ages. In 1868, Pope Pius IX ordered to replace it with a new column. Architect Ignazio Jacometti created a monument adorned with statues of four saints: Bartholomew (San Bartolomeo), Peacock Nolansky (Latin Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus), Francis of Assisi (San Francesco d'Assisi), John of God (Spanish Juan deos. ) Fragments of the ancient obelisk are now kept in the Naples Museum.
What to see
- Basilica of St. Bartholomew.
- Church of San Giovanni Chalibita (Chiesa di San Giovanni Calibita) - a church of the 14th century.
- Cayetani Tower (La torre dei Caetani).
- Broken bridge (lat. Pons Aemilius, Ponte Emilio) - the picturesque remains of the first stone bridge over the Tiber in Rome.
- Temple of Aesculapius (Tempio di Esculapio) - The ruins of the ancient sanctuary of the deity patronizing medicine.
Attractions nearby
- The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità)
- Teatro di Marcello
- Capitoline wolf
- Altar of the Fatherland, Vittoriano (Il Vittoriano)
- Roman Forum (Forum Romanum)
- Jewish ghetto
- Grand Circus (Circo Massimo)
Cultural activities
In summer, the island hosts the annual cinema festival "Isola del Cinema", which started back in 1995. From mid-June to September on the big screenestablished by the open-air Romans and guests of the Italian capital can get acquainted withNovelties of Italian, European and world cinema. In addition to film screenings, there are meetings with representatives of the film industry, poetic and literary evenings, competitive screenings of short films, etc.
- Official website of the film festival: www.isoladelcinema.com
From mid-June to the end of summer, an evening fair is open on the waterfront from the island to the Ponte Sisto Bridge - cocktails, light snacks, live music - do not miss.
