Rialto bridge in Venice, Italy
The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) is a bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and probably the most famous in the city.
The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance.
The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge. So it was replaced around 1250 by a wooden bridge. This structure had two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. The connection with the market eventually led to a change of name for the bridge. During the first half of the 15th century two rows of shops were built along the sides of the bridge. The rents brought an income to the State Treasury, which helped maintain the bridge.
Maintenance was vital for the timber bridge. It was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed again in 1524.
The idea of rebuilding the bridge in stone was first proposed in 1503. Several projects were considered over the following decades. In 1551 the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. Plans were offered by famous architects such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a Classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. Even the great Michelangelo was considered as designer of the bridge.
The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was finally completed in 1591. It is remarkably similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.
Comments and faves
DianaKing (64 months ago | reply)
This is absolutely stunning! I love that you made the bridge the focal point, most people would have picked the gondolas. It's really a magnificent photo.
DianaKing added this photo to their favorites. (64 months ago)
llamnudds (64 months ago | reply)
Thanks, a lucky shot on a moving Gondola!
DianaKing (64 months ago | reply)
I think skill probably had a lot to do with it as well.
I wish my photos came out this good.
I'm just beginning though, hopefully some day, they'll turn out this good.
A girl can dream, right?
llamnudds (64 months ago | reply)
Hey, how about that !
Check this out ... www.travelsavvy-venice.com/topsights.html
apploko, AlexanderVG2000, Acciaio, and chris_villaflor added this photo to their favorites.
ProMapTraveler [deleted] (48 months ago | reply)
Hello, my name is Rhett Hoffmeister, I own the website www.promaptraveler.com and am in the process of creating a screensaver to give away (free) to the visitors of my website. The screensaver will be composed of various images from around the web taken in Venice.
I like this image that you took in Venice in your Flickr account and see that you use creative commons license. I am writing to tell you that I will be using this image when I create the screensaver. I hope to have the screensaver completed this month, I am in the process of writing to all of the photograph owners to notify them of using their photos or seek permission if they are not creative commons. If you have any questions or comments or concerns please feel free to contact me.
In all instances there will be a reference to you as the photographer and your website where the picture is located. In addition, I will be creating a list of each and every photographer who allows usage of their photos and placing it on my site encouraging those who download the screensaver to visit all of the photographers.
Rhett Hoffmeister
www.promaptraveler.com
themoonmachine (45 months ago | reply)
Hello!
Just wanted to let you know that your photo has been featured in a travel article on Matador Network, along with a link back to your photostream.
Feel free to view the article here:
matadortrips.com/sightseeing-in-venice-for-al most-free/
Thanks so much for sharing your work!
Sarah
The_Circumference (45 months ago | reply)
Hello!
Just wanted to let you know that your photo has been featured in a travel article on The Circumference with a link back.
You can view the article here:
www.thecircumference.org/experiences/gondola- venice
Thanks for sharing your fantastic photo!
- The Circumference
Gary Pustynskiy and jamesskivington added this photo to their favorites.
Qantas Travel Insider (42 months ago | reply)
Hi - Thanks for making this fantastic photo of Venice available in the Creative Commons.
We have selected it to use alongside a post in our blog about Venice. You'll find a credit and link to your photo page at the bottom of the post.
travelinsider.qantas.com.au/global_roaming_po stcard_from_...
We would also love it if you would submit some photos to our Qantas Travel Insider group:
www.flickr.com/groups/1203312@N23/
Cheers,
Travel Insider team
Appletini ♥ added this photo to her favorites. (40 months ago)
TravelfusionUK (40 months ago | reply)
Beautiful photograph! I've used it in my recent blog post about places to visit in Europe. Check it out!
Thanks,
Kathryn @Travelfusion
keeks10 and José Luis - Guias Viajar added this photo to their favorites.
llamnudds (38 months ago | reply)
Thanks to everyone who is using this photo.
I hope you have found it useful.
themoonmachine (34 months ago | reply)
Hello!
I just wanted to let you know that your photo was featured in a photo essay on Matador Network with a link back to your photostream.
You can view the article here:
matadortrips.com/photo-essay-worlds-most-impr essive-bridg...
Thanks so much for sharing your great work! Feel free to add this photo or any other travel photos to our Matador Flickr Group!
Sarah
kiwijune24, capitol gal, brittisameaball, and paparazzi fotografia added this photo to their favorites.
This photo was invited and added to the Eurolines in Italy group.
sagriffin305 and halli530 added this photo to their favorites.
Tripify (10 months ago | reply)
Hello!
Your photo has been featured in an artice with a link back to your Flickr page.
Article title: Top 10 Best Free Places to Visit in Venice
URL: www.tripify.com/blog/top-10-best-free-places- to-visit-in-...
Thanks and have a nice day,
Tripify
Leila Florêncio, jpoage, and FlyingSails added this photo to their favorites.