Venice Travel Guide

Rialto

The Rialto has long been the commercial core of Venice, and is famed as the place where the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built. The original wooden bridge collapsed under the strain of the crowds gathered here to admire a wedding procession. It was replaced by the (sturdier) single stone arch design of Antonio da Ponte, and built in 1588. Today the area still resembles the bustling fruit and vegetable market of former times, but is additionally swamped with tourists and accompanying souvenir shops and gift kiosks.