2,000-Year-Old Roman 'Nero's Bridge' Emerges from Tiber River Amid Drought

The ancient Roman "Nero's Bridge" has resurfaced as severe drought caused water levels in the Tiber River to drop in Rome, Italy, the Associated Press reported on the 14th (local time).

Named after Nero, the fifth Roman emperor, the bridge was discovered on the bed of the Tiber River near St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The bridge is known to have connected central Rome with the right bank of the Tiber River.

Experts believe that the bridge was constructed before the reign of Nero.

Scholars estimate that it was built by Nero's relative, the third emperor Caligula, and already existed around 39 AD.

Antonella Bonini, an archaeologist with Rome's Special Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, said, "Nero's circus was located where the Vatican now stands, and Nero is an important figure associated with this area."

According to Rome's water authority, the flow rate of the Tiber River dropped below 80 cubic meters per second last month.

This is about half of the average for the same month.

A water authority official said, "Although precipitation was sufficient this winter, persistent dry weather has led to a severe water crisis."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.