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Bridge of Fabricius |
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| Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius. | ||
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The island in the Tiber is connected with the rivers banks by two bridges. The Pons Cestius between the island and Trastevere was destroyed between 1888 and 1892 and replaced by a modern bridge. According to the historian Cassius Dio, the elegant Pons Fabricius was built in 62 BCE and still survives. A satellite photo can be found here. | |
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The Pons Fabricius connects the island with the Field of Mars - or, to be more precise, the Theater of Marcellus. It is 62 meters long and 5½ meters wide. This picture was taken when the river was temporarily redirected. We can therefore see the pier and its foundations. | |
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The heavy foundations of the bridge again. The small arch on top of the pier was there to enable high water to pass along, and take away some pressure. | |
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The bridge is made tuff and peperino stone and was covered with travertine. In 1679, tiles replaced the travertine. The arches are 24½ meters wide. | |
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The building inscription (CIL
VI.1305), found on four places, reads
Lvcivs FABRICIVS Cai Filivs CVRator VIARvmmeaning that Lucius Fabricius as curator of the roads ordered the construction of the bridge. |
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In smaller letters is added that Marcus
Lollius and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus, the consuls
of 21 BCE, improved the bridge. This may refer to adjustment made necessary
after the great flood of 23. Perhaps the small arch on top of the pier
is meant.
These statues adorn the Pons Fabricius, which is therefore often called bridge of the four heads (quattro capi). |
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And one final look at the bridge of Fabricius. | |
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