Image: GoogleMaps |
Porto di Ripetta was
a port in Rome. It was designed and built in 1704 by the Italian, Baroque
architect, Alessandro Specchi. Located on the banks of the River Tiber, it was
in front of the church of San Girolamo degli Schiavoni. Its low walls with
steps descended in sweeping, scenographic curves from the street to the river.
The port no longer exists but is known today from documents including engraved
views, drawings and early photographs.
On the left bank of
the Tiber, facing southali this was the
place to stop and rest for those coming downriver. On the other bank of the
river, Porto di Ripa Grande served a similar purpose for those coming in from
the ocean side of the city.
Engraving by Piranesi |
During the second half
of the 19th century, the river banks and roads along the Tiber were radically
reconstructed to improve the city's flooding defenses and its transportation
connections. The new road on the left bank is called, Lungotevere.
In the area of the
Porto di Ripetta, an iron bridge was constructed between 1877-1879 across the
Tiber and adjacent to the port. This in turn led to the construction of another
more substantial bridge, the Ponte Cavour which was opened in 1901. This
lead to the demolition of the Porto di Ripetta. Photographs from the late
nineteenth century record the port, the iron bridge and the new Ponte Cavour.
Porto di Pipetta pictured in 2010 |
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