Audio Guide Rome – Pons Aemilius

The Pons Aemilius, today called Ponte Rotto has a very complicated story to tell us.

The bridge was carried away more than once in floods from the River Tiber and it changed its name several times after being repaired and re-built.

The bridge was built just before the Tiber Island and it took its name from Aemilius Lepidus, the man who built the bridge in 179 BC. Initially constructed in 179 BC with stone piers and a wooden superstructure, the bridge was fitted in 142 BC with six wholly-stone arches.

Under the reign of Augustus and until the year 872, being the biggest bridge in Rome, it took the name of Pons Maximus to commemorate the Emperor.

Under the Pope John VIII, the Roman Temple of the Forum Boarium was changed into the catholic church of Saint Mary of Egypt and so the bridge was called: Pons Sancta Maria.