Tiber Island

TIBER ISLAND – Isola Tiberina

 

TIBER ISLAND
TIBER ISLAND PANORAMA

At the curve of the Tiber, a kilometre or so below St Peter’s Basilica and the Varican is  Tiber Island, a miniature of Paris’ Ile de la Cite. A bridge on both sides connects this little gem with the city. From the area of the ancient Jewish Ghetto, the Ponte Fabricio  footbridge, Rome’s oldest original bridge still in use since 62 BC, crosses to the island. the Isola has long been associated with healing, and there is a hospital on the island. In 293 BC the Temple of Aesculapius was dedicated here to the god of healing and protector against the plague. 

TIBER ISLAND SEAGULLS NESTING
TIBER ISLAND SEAGULLS NESTING

The River divides around the Isola, forming a shallow cataract on the left bank. A Roman arch bizarrely stands in the River, nesting seagulls at home on the grassy top. The island has a few restaurants and pharmacy, and other buildings not accessible from the main street. Tourists eat their sandwiches at the milky-green water’s edge.

 

 

 

ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH TIBER ISLAND
ST BART’S CHURCH, TIBER ISLAND

 

The church of St Bartholomew was raised over the ruins of the former temple in the tenth century. In a side-chapel, Archbishop Rowan and Pope Benedict XVI  knelt  in St Bartolomeo all’ Isola and prayed for the new martyrs of the Anglican Communion.

The Isola is a lovely place of calm and healing,  well worth the visit, and a must for any pilgrim from Canterbury. 

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Published by

robmack

Rob retired in 2014 from his post of Director of Licensed Ministries in Canterbury Diocese. His current interests are: leading programmes in missional leadership, writing, research, painting and travel. He is a founder member of a 'new monastic' community, the Companions of Augustine of Canterbury, drawing on the inspiration of Augustine's mission to England in 597.