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Italy’s worst drought in 70 years has exposed the piers of an ancient bridge over the Tiber once used by Roman emperors, but fell into disrepair by the 3rd century.
The two piers of the Nero Bridge can be seen during most of the summer near the Vittorio Emanuele Bridge, which spans the river near the Vatican.
Historian Anthony Majanrahti says the bridge was built in the first century AD to allow Emperor Nero to reach his gardens on Janiculum Hill, near what is now St Peter’s Square.
By the third century, the bridge had fallen apart and traffic was diverted to the nearby Pont Sant’Angelo, which led pilgrims through Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican.
Nero’s Bridge was originally thought to have four piers, but Mr Majanlahti said two of them were demolished in the 19th century to allow for better river traffic.
“Due to the widespread drought in Italy, the water levels in the river are now very low and we are able to see more of the bridge piers that we would normally see,” Mr Majanlahti said.
In normal water years, one pier of the bridge is often seen during the driest season, but this year two were seen.
The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in several regions due to the prolonged drought and the ensuing heatwave.
The drought also exposed a World War II tank on the Po, Italy’s largest river, and ordinances in 20th-century lakes.
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