385374 2 Location 565505 <p>Countless legends surround this tiny patch of land, mostly revolving around its long tradition in medicine. One legend tells the story of a snake brought over from Greece to cure an outbreak of the bubonic plague that was decimating the city. The snake escaped the ship it was travelling on and reached the island, and a sepulchre was built to mark the exact spot where the snake crawled ashore. People stricken with the plague came to the sepulchre and were cured when they left and thus the island's mythical healing powers were born. In fact, the island had long been dedicated to Aesculapius, the roman god of medicine. This ancient tradition was continued by monks in the Middle Ages, who set up a hospice that would eventually become the Ospedale Fatebenefratelli. This hospital is still up and running and is considered one of Rome's most revered medical institutions. </p><p>There is also a church on the island, named after Saint Bartholomew, which stands above the ruins of the ancient temple dedicated to Aesculapius. Another interesting landmark can be found a little further down the river. The remnants of what is popularly referred to as the Ponte Rotto (the Broken Bridge) belong to one of the oldest stone bridges built in Rome. Originally constructed in 142 B.C., the bridge was largely destroyed by a violent flood in 1598. After years of deterioration, all that remains of the ancient bridge is one, lone arch. </p> 2006-07-22T14:58:59-07:00 589299713 2006-06-15T17:00:00-07:00 0 -9223372036854775790 245239 1829759 385374 0 185538 0.0409626371919104 2006-06-14T17:00:00-07:00 Published 25.0 2006-07-22T14:59:37-07:00 89178 0