Tiber Island

The Tiber Island, located in the heart of Rome, is a place rich in history, myths, and architectural beauties. This small river island, about 270 meters long and 67 meters wide, is situated at one of the narrowest points of the Tiber, making it a natural and strategic passage since ancient times. Its characteristic shape resembles a ship, complete with a “prow” adorned with the staff of Asclepius, the god of medicine, whose cult has deeply marked the island’s history. According to legend, during a plague in 293 BC, the Romans sent a delegation to Epidaurus, Greece, to seek help from the god Asclepius. Upon their return, a sacred serpent, symbol of the god, threw itself into the Tiber and found refuge on the island. This miraculous event led to the construction of a temple dedicated to Asclepius in 291 BC. The island thus became a place of healing, attracting pilgrims seeking cures for centuries. The healing cult has survived over time, and the Tiber Island still houses the Fatebenefratelli Hospital, founded in 1584 and known for the courage of its doctors during World War II, when they saved numerous Jews by pretending an epidemic of “Disease K” to keep the Nazis away. The architecture of the island is fascinating and layered. The two main bridges, the Fabricius Bridge and the Cestius Bridge, connect the island to the banks of the Tiber. The Fabricius Bridge, built in 62 BC, is the oldest Roman bridge still in use. It is also known as the “Bridge of the Four Heads” for the four-faced statues adorning its parapets. The Cestius Bridge, erected in the 1st century BC and later restored, connects the island to the Trastevere district. In addition to the temple of Asclepius, the island housed other sanctuaries dedicated to minor deities such as Faunus, Veiovis, and Jupiter Jurarius, and in the Middle Ages the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola was built, which still stands at the center of the island. This church, founded in the year 1000 by Emperor Otto III in memory of Saint Adalbert of Prague, stands on the remains of the temple of Asclepius and houses an ancient well believed to be miraculous. The island also has strategic and historical importance for the city of Rome. During Roman times, its location facilitated trade and transportation between the two banks of the river, contributing to the city’s development. In medieval times, the island served as a refuge and place of healing, thanks to its believed healing waters. Today, in addition to the Fatebenefratelli Hospital, the Israelite Hospital is also located on the island, a testament to the historic connection between the island and the Roman Jewish community.