The Rialto Bridge in Venice

Among the 438 bridges in Venice, there’s one that’s truly unique: the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)!

Follow the guide!

Brief history of the Rialto Bridge

The origins of the Rialto Bridge

Located in the current sestiere (district) of San Polo, on the left bank of the Grand Canal, the Rialto neighborhood became the economic center of the City of the Doges as early as the 11th century. The Venice market was established there in 1097, followed by shops, warehouses, and even the city’s first banks and insurance companies.

But soon, a major problem arises: while the economic center of Venice is situated on the left bank of the Grand Canal, the political center of the city is on the opposite bank, in the current sestiere of San Marco — where the Doge’s Palace (and the Bridge of Sighs) and St. Mark’s Basilica are located.

Thus, in 1172, the first bridge spanning the Grand Canal was constructed: the Rialto Bridge was born.

The Rialto Bridge before the 16th century

Far from its current appearance, the first Rialto Bridge was actually just a series of barges and boats placed side by side and topped with wooden planks. Whenever a boat needed to pass, the planks had to be removed and the barges separated to create an opening. This makeshift solution was far from ideal!

Therefore, in 1264, a wooden bridge was built to connect the two sides of the Grand Canal. Although better than the first, this option was also not perfect. The bridge suffered from humidity (causing its structure to rot) and fires, requiring regular restorations. In 1444, a part of the bridge even collapsed under the weight of the crowd gathered to witness the passage of the wedding gondola of the Marquise of Ferrara.

The bridge was rebuilt in wood, but this time it included two rows of shops and a movable section that could be raised to allow boats to pass. However, this new construction quickly deteriorated, forcing the Venetian leaders to consider a more solid and durable solution.

The Rialto Bridge after the 16th century

In 1551, the Venetian Senate finally decided to replace the wooden bridge with a stone construction. The greatest architects of the time — including Palladio, Sansovino, and even Michelangelo — were invited to submit designs for the new Rialto Bridge.

In the end, it was the aptly named Antonio da Ponte whose proposal caught the Senate’s attention. Construction began in 1588 and lasted three years. In 1591, the Rialto Bridge as we know it today was finally completed.

For three centuries, until the construction of the Academy Bridge (Ponte dell’Accademia) and the Scalzi Bridge (Ponte degli Scalzi) in the 19th century, the Rialto Bridge remained the only pedestrian crossing over the Grand Canal.

A Thorough Restoration

From May 2015 to December 2016, the Rialto Bridge underwent 18 months of intensive renovation. It was given a new lease on life and is now as good as new (or almost)!

Visiting the Rialto Bridge

The Architecture of the Rialto Bridge

Recognizable by its arch-like silhouette, the Rialto Bridge is a true architectural feat. Built on marshy ground, the bridge rests on no fewer than 6,000 pilings. It measures 48 meters (157 ft) in length, 22 meters (72 ft) in width, and rises to a height of 7.5 meters (24.5 ft).

The bridge comprises three pedestrian walkways:

• A central walkway flanked by shops housed in twelve symmetrical arches
• Two side walkways on either side of the central path

The decorations on the Rialto Bridge are simple and understated. However, you can see the figures of the city’s two patron saints, Saint Mark and Saint Theodore, on each side of the bridge.

The View of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge

The view of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge is simply spectacular.

Captain Ulysses recommends crossing the bridge at various times of the day to enjoy the panorama in daylight, at sunset, and at night.

However, be prepared to jostle for space: the Rialto Bridge is a must-see in Venice and is therefore crowded at all hours of the day and night.

Guided Tours Exploring the Rialto Bridge

Many guided tours of Venice include a stop at the Rialto Bridge, but Captain Ulysses has a particular recommendation: a walking tour of Venice combined with a gondola ride, to discover the best of the Serenissima accompanied by a guide (available in several languages).

The Rialto Bridge Seen from the Grand Canal

What would Venice be without its canals? Tradition dictates that the Serenissima is also explored by gondola or boat, which suits Captain Ulysses just fine (he’s an old sea dog, after all!).

While the view of the Rialto Bridge is magnificent from land, it is equally (if not more) stunning from the Grand Canal.

To take a boat tour on the Grand Canal and admire the Rialto Bridge from the water, you have three options:

• The vaporetto (the cheapest option, but also the least charming according to the Captain)
• A motorboat cruise (the intermediate option)
• A gondola ride (the most expensive option… but also the most romantic)

A Stone’s Throw from the Bridge: The Rialto Market

It would be a shame not to take advantage of your stop at the Rialto Bridge to visit the Rialto Market.

Located in the sestiere of San Polo, this market is one of the largest and most famous in Venice. It sells products from the lagoon, including mushrooms, seafood, and various vegetables.

The Rialto Market is actually divided into three distinct markets:

• La Pescheria: the fish market
• The Erbaria: the fruit and vegetable market
• The Beccaria: the meat market

For food lovers, Captain Ulysses even recommends:

• A guided tour of the Rialto Market including delicious tastings
• Or a visit to the Rialto Market followed by a cooking class (in English)

Practical Information

The Rialto Bridge spans the Grand Canal between the sestiere of San Marco and the sestiere of San Polo.

It is located just a 5-10 minute walk from St. Mark’s Square. The nearest vaporetto stop is Rialto, served by lines 1, 2, and N.

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Credits
View on the Rialto Bridge