In Rome, Nero's Bridge has become visible as the Tiber River has receded
Due to the Tiber’s water level dropping significantly in Rome, the remains of an ancient bridge have reappeared from beneath the water. The ruins are located near St. Peter’s Basilica, and the bridge itself is associated with the emperors Caligula and Nero.
In Rome, due to a sharp drop in the Tiber’s water level, the remains of an ancient structure known as Nero’s Bridge have become clearly visible. The bridge once connected the city center with the right bank of the Tiber. Today, its remains are usually hidden underwater, but this time the river has receded so much that part of the structure can be seen right from the shore.
The bridge was named after the Roman emperor Nero, but archaeologists believe the structure itself may be even older. Antonella Bonini, an archaeologist with Rome’s Cultural Heritage Department, explained that this area is closely linked to Nero and the history of early Christianity. “Nero is the most famous figure associated with this area, since it was in Nero’s Circus—where the Vatican now stands—that the Apostle Peter was martyred,” she noted.
At the same time, according to Bonini, scholars believe the bridge was built even before Nero’s reign. “It was built by Caligula, Nero’s uncle,” the archaeologist explained. In other words, the structure that has now reemerged from the water may be linked to two famous Roman emperors at once.
The Tiber Has Dried Up Significantly
The ruins became visible due to the very low water level in the Tiber. According to Giovanni Giganti, coordinator of the water resources management center at Rome’s Civil Protection Agency, the river’s flow rate has dropped below 80 cubic meters per second.
This is roughly half the historical average for July. “We are facing a serious water crisis,” Giganti emphasized.
Thus, an unusual discovery that drew attention to Rome’s ancient history also served as a reminder of the city’s current problem. Due to the heat and lack of rainfall, the water level in the Tiber has dropped significantly. And although the shallower river has revealed what is usually hidden beneath the water, experts view this situation as an alarming sign.
A Bridge That Has Endured for Centuries
Nero’s Bridge was part of Rome’s ancient infrastructure. Its location near the territory of the modern Vatican makes this structure particularly interesting to archaeologists.
Today, only fragments of the bridge remain, but when the Tiber’s water level drops significantly, they become much more visible. For archaeologists, this is an opportunity to get a better look at the ancient structure. At the same time, the low water level is not good news for Rome itself. This ancient monument, which had been hidden underwater for centuries, has once again come to the fore due to a problem the city is facing today—a severe water shortage. The AP reports on this.
Italy will continue to screen travelers arriving from Spain until authorities are convinced that the risks associated with illegal migration have passed. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that Rome will not reconsider its decision until at least August 15, and that further action will depend on the situation surrounding the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
