Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal

The last item on our itinerary was to find the Rialto Bridge. With our day pass on the public vaporetto, we hopped on a crowded vessel and headed toward the bridge. When we got there, a street vendor who spoke no English (or Spanish) shoved a bouquet of roses in Carole's hands and took our picture. Funny, but awkward!

The Rialto bridge, a single span stone bridge designed by Antonio da Ponte, was completed in 1591 after a couple of previous bridges had collapsed. It is similar in structure to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico, and on either side of the portico are covered ramps with rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious at the time that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.Read more