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The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto; Venetian: Ponte de Rialto) is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Named after the Rialto Market that operates on the sides of the canal, the Rialto Bridge connects the sestieri (districts) of San Marco and San Polo at the Grand Canal’s most tapered region. The white Istrian stone bridge that stands today was completed in 1591, and has since become one of Venice’s most visited and photographed tourist attractions.

Bridge beginnings
Predating the construction of the Rialto Bridge, the only possible method of crossing the Grand Canal was boat travel. 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. Barattieri’s initial bridge structure existed until the thirteenth century, when the development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank of the canal increased traffic on the floating bridge to a critical magnitude.

In 1255, the original pontoon bridge was replaced by a bigger, more sophisticated wooden bridge. This structure had two ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. By this time, the bridge had become more largely associated with the Rialto market than the mint that had originally given it its name, and thus it was renamed The Rialto Bridge. The Rialto Market was first established in 1097, and became a center for commerce within the city of Venice. A fire in the 16th century destroyed the original buildings, and two rows of shops were rebuilt along the sides of the bridge, all of which contributed their rent expenses directly to bridge maintenance. In addition to the foot traffic that the Rialto Market attracted, the wooden bridge was also frequented by processions of officials and visitors on their way to the surrounding churches for religious events.

Destruction and maintenance
In 1310, the bridge was set on fire during a failed conspiracy by Bajamonte Tiepolo to overthrow the Doge. The original target of the revolt was the Palazzo Ducale, but when this attempt failed, the involved parties set fire to the Rialto Bridge as they retreated from the scene. Even before the fire, maintenance was vital for the timber bridge. Decades of wear and tear had taken their toll on the wooden Rialto. The bridge was repaired soon afterwards, but ultimately collapsed completely in 1444 when a large crowd formed on the bridge to witness the bridal procession during the wedding of the Marquis of Ferrara. It became apparent to Venetian architects at the beginning of the 16th century that a stone bridge might lend itself better to the great popularity of the area. Unfortunately, initial efforts to build a stone bridge were unsuccessful, and the bridge collapsed again in 1524.

Stone building projects
Several building projects were considered over the following decades. In 1554, Doge Pasquale Cicogna created a competition wherein architects were encouraged to submit proposals for their versions of the new and improved stone Rialto Bridge. 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. While these classic arches may have created an elegant stone bridge, they would not allow for the passage of ships along the canal.

In 1587 Vincenzo Scamozzi and Antonio da Ponte designed a stone bridge with a single arch, and their idea was chosen as inspiration for the new construction project. Work began in 1588, and continued until the bridge's completion in 1591. The project was very costly, and Italian scholar and poet Francesco Sansovino recorded that the bridge construction ultimately cost about 250,000 ducats. Construction was famously aided by Antonio and Tommaso Contin, two brothers hailing from a family lineage of talented Italian architects. The 6.5 meter high arch is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two 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 and survived centuries of wear to become one of the architectural icons and top tourist attractions in Venice.

Venetian foundations
Although most historical buildings in "The Floating City" are exposed to water and the elements on a constant basis, many of which have survived for centuries. The secret behind the longevity of these structures, such as the Rialto Bridge, are the special wooden foundations that they are built upon. Cylinders of strong wood known as piles are hammered and forced into waterlogged ground, and are used as supports for layers of wood and stone that are built above them. The dense nature of the soil around these piles, and the water pressure present beneath the ground creates a strong foundation that is able to withstand high water and other environmental changes. The Rialto Bridge is built upon an estimated 12,000 piles, with an additional 2,000 piles inserted amidst the the primary piles in order to provide additional foundational strength. It is due to this architectural feat that the Rialto Bridge has stood for centuries as a symbol of Venetian innovation and beauty.

Restoration
After approximately 400 years of existence, the Rialto bridge was in need of restoration. Beginning in 2015 and concluding in 2019, a $6 million restoration project, generously funded by Italian billionaire Renzo Rosso, refurbished the entire bridge and its intricate stonework. The shops that surrounded the bridge were also given new flooring and roofing in order to preserve their longevity. Although the project completed in 2019, the grand unveiling ceremony for the restoration was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September of 2021, the ribbon cutting commenced. Legendary operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli performed Puccini's iconic aria "Nessun dorma" as a fleet of boats and gondolas passed underneath the newly restored bridge.

A timeless symbol of Venetian culture
Having survived numerous setbacks and survived for centuries, the Rialto Bridge stands today as one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. It is estimated that about 30 million people visit the city of Venice every year, and a great many of these visitors walk the steps of the Rialto Bridge due to its central location and unparalleled history. Having predated the bridge itself, the Rialto Market still spans along the Grand Canal. Market vendors sell a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish to passersby. The market offers a rich shopping experience with a view of the bridge, and boat and gondola travel below its stone arch.

Having been designed to allow for boat travel, the Rialto Bridge has become almost synonymous with the gondola boats uniformed gondoliers that frequent its waters. While native Venetians favor more direct and cost effective forms of transportation such as Vaporetto water shuttles or Traghetto gondolas, the classic Venetian gondola experience is still available to modern tourists.

Other names
The Rialto Bridge was called Shylock's bridge in Robert Browning's poem "A Toccata of Galuppi's".

The Rialto Bridge is often referred to as "The Lover's Bridge."