Ponte Chiodo, 15th century brick arch bridge in Cannaregio, Italy.
Ponte Chiodo is a 15th century brick arch bridge crossing the San Felice Canal in Venice. What makes it distinctive is its construction without railings, and it measures roughly 6.84 meters long and 2.19 meters high.
The bridge was built in the 15th century when Venice was a major trading republic. During this era, bridges without railings were a common construction approach.
The bridge takes its name from the Chiodo family, who lived near this crossing during the medieval period. When you walk across today, you can sense the connection to the homes that once stood nearby.
Crossing this bridge requires care since it has no railings along the edges. It is open during the day, and you should slow down if the surface is wet or slippery.
This is the only bridge in Venice that has survived to today without railings at all. This makes it a rare example of how medieval bridges were actually built in the lagoon city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
