Nero’s Bridge emerges from Tiber River as Rome faces water crisis
Archaeologists say the exposed ruins are older than Nero’s reign, and the Tiber has fallen below 80 cubic meters per second amid a major water crisis.
- On Thursday, August 13, 2026, drought caused the Tiber River's water levels to plunge, exposing the remains of an ancient bridge near the Basilica in Rome.
- Although commonly called Nero's Bridge, scholars note Emperor Caligula likely built the structure around 39 AD, with Nero later renaming various ancient landmarks during his rule from 54 to 68 AD.
- Giovanni Giganti, coordinator of the Rome civil protection service, reported the river's flow dropped below 80 cubic meters per second, roughly half the historic average for July.
- Archaeologist Antonella Bonini noted the site's cultural significance, linking the ancient structure to where Apostle Peter was martyred and upon which the Basilica now stands.
- Low water levels also exposed modern debris in the riverbed, while authorities last observed the bridge remains during a similar drought in 2022, reflecting recurring dry conditions.
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Drought-hit Tiber River exposes ancient ruins of Nero’s Bridge in Rome
Scorching summer heat and prolonged drought have dramatically lowered the Tiber River in central Rome, revealing the long-submerged stone remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old bridge once known as Nero’s Bridge. According to a report from CNN, the rare sight has drawn locals and tourists to the riverbanks for a fleeting glimpse of the ancient structure […]
KEZI 9 News
Local 3 NewsThe high temperatures and a long, dry summer have provided locals and tourists with a unique opportunity to contemplate the remains of a 2,000-year-old bridge that crossed the Tiber River, which winds through the centre...
The remains of a historic Roman bridge have emerged in the Tiber in Rome. The cause is the low water level of the river, which has been dropping for weeks due to the lack of rain. Archaeologists are now studying the remnants of the bridge, which served as a central connection through Rome from the 1st to the 3rd century.
The scarcity of rain in recent weeks has brought down the flow rate of the river below 80 cubic meters per second, compared to an average of about 150 in July.
The extremely low level of the Tiber River in Rome has once again revealed the remains of the ancient Nero Bridge near Castel Sant'Angelo. Nero ruled Rome in the first century, but it is very likely that the bridge existed before that.
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