Commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in 1473, the current bridge was built upon the foundations of Roman bridge that was destroyed in the early Middle Ages. Connecting Via dei Pettinari in the historic center to Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere where many restaurants and cafés are located.
Travelers may enjoy Ponte Sisto as part of a half-day, full-day, private or group, walking or with a fun mode of transport (Segway, hop-on hop-off river cruise, electric bicycle) and focusing on various themes like Trastevere’s restaurant scene, historic food markets, street art, the Jewish Ghetto or sightseeing excursions to major attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican museums. Go off the beaten track on a spooky nighttime tour delving into the ghosts and sinister mysteries of Rome.
Ponte Sisto is located west of Ponte Garibaldi on the Tiber River, between Rome’s historic center and the Trastevere neighborhood. Take a taxi, drive or jump on tram #8 and disembark at either Arenula–Ministero Grazia e Giustizia or Belli, then walk a couple minutes up river.
Ponte Sisto is open year-round and sees a steady stream of pedestrian traffic. At night, it’s especially lively as tourists and locals alike take a stroll over the bridge after an aperitivo in Trastevere. Avoid Rome’s dense tourist throngs by traveling during the pleasant shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Even better for avoiding crowds is the winter, though temperatures can dip to freezing.
In Roman times, a fountain at the corner of Via dei Pettinari (now defunct, those its vestiges can be seen) was part of the vast aqueduct system that brought water from a volcanic lake into the city. These days, Ponte Sisto still carries water from the Acqua Paola system, through eight large pipes. A special design note is the round "oculus" hole at the bridge's center, which mitigates pressure on the bridge in case of flood.
