The Rialto Bridge, rebuilt in stone in 1591, is the oldest of the four bridges spanning Venice’s Grand Canal.
The bridge stands at the historic heart of Venice, where it connects the districts of San Polo and San Marco. Before the present stone structure, the crossing developed from a floating bridge into a wooden bridge and was rebuilt several times after damage and collapse.
The stone bridge was designed by Antonio da Ponte and completed in 1591. Its single marble-covered arch supports two inclined ramps and a central portico, with shops lining both sides of the passage.
The Rialto Bridge is often confused with Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, but the two serve different locations and purposes. The Rialto crosses the Grand Canal and has long been associated with commerce, while the Bridge of Sighs links the Doge’s Palace to former prison buildings. The Rialto area remains one of Venice’s principal market districts.