Ponte de la Malvasia, Iron footbridge in Venice, Italy

Ponte de la Malvasia is an iron footbridge in Venice, spanning the point where the Rio della Fava canal meets the Rio de San Zulian. It has stone steps on each side and a metal railing, making it a simple and functional crossing used every day by people moving through the neighborhood.

The bridge was rebuilt in the 19th century, during a period when many of Venice's crossings were renewed or upgraded. The use of iron was a practical choice of that era, replacing older wooden or stone structures.

The name Malvasia refers to a sweet wine that was once traded across the Mediterranean. Venice used to have small wine shops called malvasie where this wine was sold, and the bridge carries that trace of the old trading life of the city.

The bridge sits along a common walking route through central Venice and is easy to reach on foot from nearby landmarks. The stone steps can be slippery in wet weather, so sturdy footwear is a good idea when exploring the area.

Look at the iron uprights holding the handrail: one carries a small painted orange snail, easy to miss at walking pace. It sits at eye level for a child but below the line most adults scan, so it survives on a crossing repainted many times.