ROME, Italy — The remains of an ancient bridge associated with Emperor Nero have emerged from the Tiber River as Rome grapples with exceptionally low water levels linked to prolonged dry conditions and a lack of rainfall.
The exposed remains of Nero’s Bridge, or Pons Neronianus, have become visible near St. Peter’s Basilica as the Tiber’s flow has fallen to less than 80 cubic meters per second, about half its usual July level, according to the Associated Press.
Giovanni Giganti of Rome’s civil protection service said the low water levels followed an unusually long dry period after a wet winter. The lack of rainfall in recent weeks has contributed to the continued decline of the river.
The situation is part of a broader pattern of dry conditions affecting Italy and other parts of Europe. Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, showed that large areas of Italy experienced drier-than-normal conditions in June. Persistent high-pressure systems and above-average temperatures contributed to declining soil moisture and river flows across parts of Europe.
Copernicus also reported below-average river flows across several European waterways during June. In Italy, reduced flows in the Po River contributed to concerns over saltwater intrusion in its delta, as well as increasing pressure on agriculture and freshwater ecosystems.
The appearance of Nero’s Bridge is not unprecedented. Sections of the ancient structure become visible when the Tiber falls significantly, although the extent of the current exposure has drawn attention because of the unusually low river levels.
Despite its name, historians do not believe Nero necessarily commissioned the bridge. Archaeologist Antonella Bonini, cited by the Associated Press, said the structure was probably built around 39 AD during the reign of Emperor Caligula, Nero’s uncle. It later became associated with Nero because it provided access to areas connected with his reign.
The bridge once served as an important crossing of the Tiber during the Roman Empire. Over the centuries, it deteriorated and was eventually abandoned as a major crossing, with the nearby Ponte Sant’Angelo becoming a more important route toward the Vatican.
For archaeologists and historians, the low water provides an unusual opportunity to observe parts of the ancient structure normally submerged beneath the river. For Rome’s authorities, however, the exposed ruins are also a visible indication of the pressures created by prolonged dry conditions.
The low Tiber comes as Mediterranean Europe faces increasing risks from drought and extreme heat. Climate monitoring agencies have warned that climate change is contributing to greater pressure on water resources across the region, particularly during prolonged periods of high temperatures and below-average rainfall.
For Rome, the reappearance of the nearly 2,000-year-old structure is therefore more than an archaeological curiosity. It is also a striking reminder of the city’s vulnerability to increasingly persistent water shortages and changing climate conditions.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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