The neighbourhood called Ponte (rione V) is located across the river from the Castel Sant’Angelo and is one of the most beautiful districts in Rome. It is characterized by its narrow alleys, intimate piazze and cosy restaurants. It gets is name from the Ponte d’Angelo, which connects it to the Borgo district across the Tiber. Thanks to Pope Sixtus V, the bridge itself is part of the rione Borgo, but the name of the district did not change.
Ponte District Rome (R.V)
The Ponte d’Angelo used to be called the Ponte Elio (Pons Aelius) and was constructed by Emperor Hadrian, who wished to connect his mausoleum to the rest of the city. In those days this part of town was still part of the district Campo Marzio.
This bridge also makes it very easy to walk to the Vatican City.
Except for the Ponte Sant’Angelo there are three more bridges connecting the rione Ponte to the rioni Borgo and Prati. On top of that, there is the Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge), the ruins of which can only be seen at low tide.
The neighborhood has always remained populated and as a result there are only a few old Roman ruins to be seen.
Already in the first days of its existence, Ponte was an area with many tourists. Almost every road leading to the Vatican automatically ended at the Ponte Sant’Angelo so there has always been a variety of hotels, inns and even souvenir shops in the area. Many Romans chose the area to live in, because of the availability of drinkable water.
Many rich and influential families had impressive palazzi built in the rione Ponte, which made the area all the more prestigious. Since the construction of the new bridges part of Ponte has lost some of its beauty, but once one is further away from the river the old glory of the quarter is still very visible.
The Piazza Sant’Angelo, in front of the bridge, is where condemned prisoners used to be executed.
Main tourist attractions Ponte district Rome
The most famous streets in Ponte are the Via dei Coronari and the Via Giulia. The Palazzo Altemps hosts one of the seats of the Museo Nazionale Romano and the most famous church in Ponte is the San Giovanni dei Fiorentini.
Eating and sleeping in the Ponte neighborhood
There is an endless choice of restaurants and, once you are away from the main street, they are all in a beautiful setting. Through Booking.com you can find nice boutique hotels in the district. Accommodation prices in the Ponte neighbourhood are slightly on the high side, but you will be close to all the major sights in Rome.
Public transportation rione Ponte
There are no metro stations in or near the area, but from the main street Corso Vittorio Emanuele II it is easy to get everywhere by bus.