Ponte Rialto, Iconic marble bridge with bustling commerce

Porto Rialto, 30100 Venice

You can capture a magnificent view of the Grand Canal on the bridge

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Introduction

Rialto Bridge, also known as the Commercial Bridge, is located in the center of Venice and is a famous bridge made of white marble. It is 48 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 7 meters high above the water. There are 12,000 wooden piles on each side of the bridge to support the structure and span the Grand Canal. The bridge was built in 1180 as a wooden bridge and collapsed in 1444. After several reconstructions from 1580 to 1592, it became the stone bridge we see today. There is a floating pavilion on the top of the bridge, and over 20 jewelry shops and souvenir stalls on both sides. This is one of the busiest commercial areas in Venice and was once the center of European commerce for 300 years. Shakespeare's famous play "The Merchant of Venice" is set here. Venice has over 400 bridges, but Rialto Bridge has become one of the city's symbols due to its modern design and special historical significance.