The Tiberius Bridge is one of the main landmarks of the city of Rimini, situated at the mouth of the River Marecchia.
Its construction was commissioned by the Roman emperor Tiberius, after whom it is named, in AD 14 to link the city with the ancient Via Flaminia, which was intended to connect Rome with Rimini.
The bridge was completed in AD 21 and was one of the key features of the urban development of ancient Ariminum (the Latin name for Rimini). It was built from Istrian stone and features a central arch 8.4 metres high, considered a masterpiece of engineering for its time.
The bridge is 80 metres long and 6 metres wide, and remains perfectly preserved to this day. During the Middle Ages, two defensive towers were added on either side of the bridge to protect the town.
Over the centuries, the Tiberius Bridge has become an important landmark for the city: it has been used as a road bridge, a footbridge and also as a venue for fairs and markets.
Today, it is one of Rimini’s main tourist attractions and a landmark for the city’s residents. Every year, on 30 August, a commemorative ceremony is held to mark its anniversary. Furthermore, the bridge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, alongside other historic monuments in Rimini.
The Tiberius Bridge is situated in the south-eastern part of Rimini’s historic centre, near Piazza Ferrari.
Why is the Tiberius Bridge in Rimini also known as the Devil’s Bridge?
The Tiberius Bridge in Rimini is also known as the Devil’s Bridge because of its austere and imposing appearance.
This name stems from a popular legend which attributes the construction of medieval bridges to the devil’s work, completed in the blink of an eye.
In popular imagination, demons were often depicted as skilful and swift builders, capable of completing works in extraordinarily short times. This popular belief fuels the idea that the grandeur and durability of medieval buildings were achieved with the devil’s help.
However, it is important to emphasise that the use of this name is purely rooted in tradition and folklore and has no historical basis.
