Tiber River

The symbiotic relationship between Rome and its river

The relationship between Rome and the Tiber River is symbiotic. The river protected Romulus and Remus until the arrival of the Wolf, symbol of the city, who nursed them saving them from death. It was Romulus, in 753 BC, who founded the city, which also became powerful thanks to its river.

Even today the Tiber flows a few steps from the most famous Roman places and runs along Trastevere and Testaccio, authentic neighborhoods where you can spend a beautiful evening among great food and live music. The river continues to flow to Ostia Antica before flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In the city there is also the only urban island on the Tiber, the Tiber Island, which houses the Fatebenefratelli hospital founded by Pope Gregory XIII in 1585. The island is connected to the mainland by the Ponte Cestio and the Ponte Fabricio built in 46 and 62 B.C. Among the oldest bridges connecting the two banks of the Tiber is also Ponte Sant'Angelo, originally Ponte Elio wanted by Emperor Hadrian in 134.

Many sections of the river are navigable and give an unusual view of the city. You can enjoy it on board a boat from Ponte Sant'Angelo to the Vatican or Ostia Antica.