04/07/2023
Tiberina, Italy - 1.80 ha
A picturesque corner of Rome on the water surface between the two banks of the Tiber River south of the Vatican City. If you look at the little island from above, its outline resembles a boat. There is a legend about the rebellious Roman inhabitants who threw into the Tiber River the last king of Ancient Rome, Tarquinius the Proud, who was a cruel tyrant. So much silt and mud adhered to his co**se that a piece of land was formed, which was named Tiberina. The name translates literally as "island on the Tiber." Not surprisingly, in ancient times it was notorious.
The situation changed during the plague epidemic. A temple of Aesculapius, the god of medicine, was erected on Tiberina. The place was not chosen by chance. The snake, considered an ancient symbol of medicine, crawled out of the boat and swam towards the island, thereby indicating the will of the god. Since then, it became a sacred place to be venerated.