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I crossed over the Tiber to Tiber Island...
| Ponte Rotto and Tiber Island |
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The Romans call this Ponte Rotto, the broken bridge. It's
original name was the Pons Aemilius. It was built in the 2nd century B.C. but collapsed twice before Pope Gregory
XII had it rebuilt in 1575. It collapsed again in 1598 and was never rebuilt. Beyond you can see Isola Tiberina,
Tiber Island. According to legend, in 293 B.C. the Romans brought a statue of the Greek god of healing, Aesculapius,
back from Greece to fight an epidemic. When the boat reached the island, a snake (the symbol of Aesculapius) escaped.
The Romans then built a temple to the god on the island. The church of San Bartolomeo is now located on the site of
the temple. The island is still associated with healing as the site of a major hospital.
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| Portico di Ottavia |
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The Via Portico d'Ottavia is the main street of the Ghetto.
Jews have lived in Rome since the days of the Republic, and their numbers increased after Titus destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem.
It was not until 1556, however, that Pope Paul IV confined Jews to the Ghetto, a walled enclave from which Jews were not allowed
to venture after dusk. It was not until 1848 that the walls were taken down, and in 1870 the new Kingdom of Italy abolished
all restrictions. Most of the area was reconstructed in 1885. In 1943, more than 2,000 Jews from this area were
deported to German concentration camps--few returned. Today, this is once more a center of traditional Jewish life in
Rome. The actual Portico of Octavia was built in the 2nd century B.C. as a temple enclosure. Augustus rebuilt
the Portico and named it after his sister. All that's left is a section of columns which form an entrance for the small
church of San Angelo in Pescheria.
Go on to the Campo Marzio
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