Tiber Island

October 15, 2010 Accepted

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The Tiber Island (Italian: Isola Tiberina, Latin: Insula Tiberina), is a boat-shaped island which has long been associated with healing. It is an ait, and the only island in the Tiber river which runs through Rome. The island has been linked to the rest of Rome by two bridges since antiquity, and was once called Insula Inter-Duos-Pontes which means "the island between the two bridges". Tiber Island was once the location of an ancient temple to Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. This location may have been chosen for the Aesculapius Temple because it was separate from the rest of the city, which could help protect whoever was there from plague and illnesses. The island eventually became so identified with the temple it supported that it was modeled to resemble a ship as a reminder of how it came to be. Travertine facing was added in mid or late first century by the banks to resemble a ship's prow and stern, and an obelisk was erected in the middle, symbolizing the vessel's mast. Walls were put around the island, and it came to resemble a Roman ship. Although the Aesculapius temple now lies deep under San Bartolomeo, the island is still considered to be a place of healing because a hospital, founded in 1584, was built on the island and is still operating. It is staffed by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God or "Fatebenefratelli".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber_Island

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Isola, Tevere, Isola Tiberina, Fiume, Fluviale, Tempio, Medicina, Esculapio, Asclepio, Chiesa, San Bartolomeo, Reliquia, Reliquie, San Giovanni, Ospedale, Fatebenefratelli, Ospedaliero, Senato, Ottone III, Barca, Trireme, Rovine, Rovina, Antichità, Antico, Antichi, Roma, Italia, Europa, Island, Tiber, River, Tiber River, Temple, Disease, Illness, Medecin, Asclepius, Esculapius, Church, Saint Bartholomew, St. John, Hospital, Healing, Hospitaller Order, Ancient, Ruin, Ruins, Antiquities, Rome, Romans, Roman, Italy, Europe