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The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto; Venetian: Ponte de Rialto) is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, and the busiest and most iconic bridge in the city. Connecting the sestieri (districts) of San Marco and San Polo at the Grand Canal’s most tapered region, the white Istrian stone bridge that stands today was completed in 1591, and has since become one of Venice’s most visited and photographed tourist attractions.

History

Predating the construction of the Rialto Bridge, the only possible method of crossing the Grand Canal was boat travel. The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance. Barattieri’s initial bridge structure existed until the thirteenth century, when the development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank of the canal increased traffic on the floating bridge to a critical magnitude. In 1255, the original pontoon bridge was replaced by a bigger, more sophisticated wooden bridge. This structure had two ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. By this time, the bridge had become more largely associated with the Rialto market than the mint that had originally given it its name, and thus it was renamed The Rialto Bridge. Building upon this association, during the first half of the 15th century, two rows of shops were built along the sides of the bridge, all of which contributed their rent expenses directly to bridge maintenance.

Maintenance was vital for the timber bridge. Decades of wear and tear took their toll on the wooden Rialto. In 1310, the bridge was set on fire during a failed conspiracy by Bajamonte Tiepolo to overthrow the Doge. The original target of the revolt was the Palazzo Ducale, but when this attempt failed, the involved parties set fire to the Rialto Bridge as they retreated from the scene. The bridge was repaired soon afterwards, but collapsed completely in 1444 when a large crowd formed on the bridge to witness the bridal procession during the wedding of the Marquis of Ferrara. It became apparent to Venetian architects at the beginning of the 16th century that a stone bridge might lend itself better to the great popularity of the area. Unfortunately, initial efforts to build a stone bridge were unsuccessful, and the bridge collapsed again in 1524.

Several building projects were considered over the following decades. In 1554, Doge Pasquale Cicogna created a competition wherein architects were encouraged to submit proposals for their versions of the new and improved stone Rialto Bridge. Plans were offered by famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a Classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. While these classic arches may have created an elegant stone bridge, they would not allow for the passage of ships along the canal.

The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, began to be constructed in 1588 and was completed in 1591. It is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons, and top tourist attractions, in Venice.