The iconic bridge is also the most famous thanks to its long history, dating back to the 12th century. The first Rialto Bridge was built in and was a simple wooden structure.
It was replaced by a more substantial wooden bridge in , followed by the stone bridge we see today, built between by Antonio da Ponte following a design competition in the city where he beat Michelangelo as the wooden bridge had collapsed in two occasions and been partially burnt down in The design of the elegant stone bridge is similar to its predecessors with two inclined ramps that are connected by an arch spanning 28 metres crossing the narrowest point of the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice and is made of Istrian stone.
It is renowned as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance. As The Rialto Bridge was the only place to cross the Grand Canal on foot, it was vital that the bridge could stand up to heavy use and also allow boats to pass underneath. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Rialto Bridge became an important commercial and financial centre in Venice.
The bridge served as the only fixed structure crossing the Grand Canal until the s; prior to that, pedestrian crossings at other locations were done by gondola ferries.
It is formed of three sets of stairs divided by arcades. The bridge is a popular tourist attraction, both for those wishing to walk across it as well as those travelling by vaporetto water bus or gondola underneath it as they traverse the city. Early Modern, Renaissance. Building Category. Renaissance Royal Mistresses. You May Also Like.
