Tiber Island

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

The Tiber Island (Italian: Isola Tiberina ) is a small island in the River Tiber in Rome. It is about 270 m long and up to 67 m wide.

According to legend, they said to have originated when the Roman people expelled its last king, Tarquinius Superbus Etruscan-Roman and thereby looted from Champs de Mars ears of corn, which belonged to the king, threw into the Tiber. In fact, the Tiber Island is of central importance for the city of Rome. Because it facilitates the crossing of the river, it was possible to continue at this point the roads that connected the northern Tyrrhenian coast with the southern. This made this island a strategically important point that was probably one of the most important factors for the development of Rome. The island is similar in shape to a ship, and an obelisk, which was formerly in the middle of the island, underlined as " mast " this similarity.

When in 293 BC a severe epidemic hit the city, it was decided to send for questioning the Sibylline Books, an embassy to Epidaurus, the most important place of worship of Aesculap. The trireme returned according to the legend of Epidaurus with a sacred snake back, the symbol of God. The Navalia the Field of Mars popped up the serpent in the river and swam to the island, where they disappeared. In this way, the temple site was determined. The real reason for the construction of the temple, however, may have been the isolation of the place. The immediately initiated construction was completed and inaugurated in 289 BC the temple.

Besides this temple porticos and other buildings were built to the sick pilgrims who hoped here on a miracle cure accommodate. Several inscriptions which testify to miraculous healings, votive and votive gifts are available at the deity. Sick slaves were sent to the island, whose care had become their Lord too annoying. Emperor Claudius declared all slaves free, which became healthy on the island.

Use

The island is connected by two bridges to the mainland. To the left bank of the leads 62 BC, built and preserved Pons Fabricius; to the right bank, to Trastevere leads the 46 BC built Pons Cestius. The latter was replaced by 370 of the emperors Valentinian I, Valens and Gratian and completely rebuilt at the end of the 19th century.

Today, located on the island of the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola and run by the Order of the Brothers of Charity Hospital ( Ospedale Fatebenefratelli ).