What is the oldest surviving bridge across Venice’s Grand Canal?

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across Venice’s Grand Canal.

The stone bridge connects the districts of San Polo and San Marco at one of the canal’s busiest points. The present structure was designed by Antonio da Ponte and completed in 1591, replacing earlier wooden crossings that had stood at the same location.

Its single broad arch supports two inclined arcades lined with shops, a form that combines commercial space with a major pedestrian route. For centuries, the Rialto crossing was the only fixed bridge over the Grand Canal, making it central to Venice’s trade and daily movement.

The Rialto Bridge is sometimes confused with the Bridge of Sighs because both are famous Venetian landmarks. The Bridge of Sighs crosses a narrow canal near the Doge’s Palace, while the Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal itself.