Rialto Bridge, Stone arch footbridge in San Marco, Venice, Italy
The Rialto Bridge spans the Grand Canal with a 31-meter stone arch, connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo through covered ramps.
Construction of the current bridge started in 1588 under architect Antonio da Ponte, replacing earlier wooden structures that dated back to 1173.
The bridge contains two parallel arcades with merchant shops, maintaining a centuries-old tradition of commerce above the Grand Canal waters.
Each abutment rests upon 6000 wooden piles driven into the canal bed, providing stability to the structure against the soft alluvial soil.
The central portico features three separate walkways: a wider central passage and two smaller side paths along the shop-lined corridors.
Location: Venice
Inception: 1588
Architects: Antonio da Ponte
Official opening: 1591
Height: 7.32 m
Length: 48 m
Longest Span: 31.8 m
Width: 22.1 m
Made from material: stone
GPS coordinates: 45.43801,12.33564
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:53
Bridges have connected shores, valleys and communities for centuries. This collection presents significant bridge structures from different periods and regions. From medieval stone arches to modern steel constructions, these works demonstrate the evolution of engineering. The 16th-century Rialto Bridge in Venice spans the Grand Canal with a single stone arch. The Golden Gate in San Francisco extends 2.7 kilometers, connecting the city with northern California. In Singapore, the Helix Bridge forms a pedestrian connection across Marina Bay with its double spiral structure. These constructions serve practical functions in urban transport while defining the skylines of their cities. They document technical solutions to geographic obstacles and show different approaches to bridge building across the centuries.
Stone arch bridges rank among the most durable structures in history. From Roman aqueducts in Spain to medieval river crossings in Central Europe, these constructions demonstrate the evolution of engineering over two millennia. The Pont du Gard in France once transported 20,000 cubic meters of water daily over 50 kilometers, while the Segovia Aqueduct in Spain was built without mortar. In Asia, stone bridges like the Marco Polo Bridge in China have connected trade routes for centuries. The Khaju Bridge in Isfahan functions simultaneously as a dam and public gathering space. These structures served multiple purposes: transport, water supply, and social meeting points. Many of these bridges and aqueducts remain in use today. They document various construction techniques, from Roman concrete vaults to Persian brick arch structures. The constructions have survived wars, earthquakes, and floods, remaining functional elements of modern infrastructure.
Venice offers multiple photo opportunities. The Rialto spans the Grand Canal while houses in Burano display different colors. St Mark's Square presents the Byzantine basilica, campanile and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the prison. The islands of Murano and Torcello feature glasswork and historical monuments.
Venice is naturally suited for romantic getaways, with its winding canals, historic palaces, and squares full of history. This selection gathers places that make the city so popular among couples: Saint Mark's Square with its basilica and campanile, the Bridge of Sighs where tradition invites you to kiss in a gondola, or the quays of Fondamenta delle Zattere stretching along the Giudecca Canal. The Grand Canal, the main artery measuring 3.8 kilometers long, reveals 170 palaces built between the 13th and 18th centuries. This collection also includes characterful accommodations set within authentic Venetian residences. The Gritti Palace occupies a 15th-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal, while Ca' Bonfadini features its frescoed salons in the Cannaregio district. To extend your stay, the La Fenice Theatre offers opera performances in a restored 18th-century setting after the 1996 fire. San Giorgio Maggiore island, accessible by vaporetto, allows you to view the city from its campanile with an unobstructed perspective over the urban area.
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
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San Giacomo di Rialto
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San Giovanni Grisostomo, Venice
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Palazzo Dolfin Manin
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Palazzo dei Camerlenghi
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San Bartolomeo
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Scuola grande di San Teodoro
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San Giovanni Elemosinario
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Campo San Bartolomeo
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Palazzo Civran
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Palazzo dei Dieci Savi
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Monument to Carlo Goldoni
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Ponte Manin
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Palazzo Amadi
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Rialto Bridge
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Palazzo Ruzzini
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Al Palazzo Lion Morosini
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Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
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Ponte Sant'Antonio
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Ponte de l'Olio
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Palazzo Sernagiotto
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Fabbriche Nuove
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Casa Sollotti
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Organo della chiesa di San Salvador a Venezia
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Palazzo Morosini a San Giovanni Grisostomo
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Palazzo Remer
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Fabbriche Vecchie
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Casa Pasquato
124 mReviews
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