Visit Venice Constitution Bridgealso known as the Calatrava Bridge or the Fourth Bridge over the Grand Canal, is the new pedestrian link between Santa Lucia station and Piazzale Roma.
Inaugurated on September 11, 2008 and designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, its construction has been the subject of much controversy.
Today, I'm going to tell you all about this modern walkway.
Venice Constitution Bridge: article summary
Venice Constitution Bridge: unique architecture
Calatrava's bridge is essentially a curved line, with the idea of lightness, softness and transparency. In addition, the The bottom support clearly resembles a fishbone.
The 74 steel ribs are the most striking elements of this highly complex structure. In addition to the central arch, there are two side arches and two lower arches that support the weight of the structure and help to give it stability.
Why did you choose a shape reminiscent of a fish?
Rather than taking us back to the ancient dimension of Christianity, this bridge of glass and steel has this shape to remind us of the concept of time. All living things have evolved from the aquatic form, passing from the organic to the inorganic, between inertia and the possibility of evolution.
It's a lovely metaphor for the bridge's designer. Thanks to it, many tourists and locals cross the Grand Canal.
The Constitution Bridge in Venice: what is its official name?
During construction, the bridge was called Quarto Ponte, because it was in fact the fourth bridge to cross the Grand Canal. In 2008, the mayor of Venice proposed to name this new structure the Constitution Bridge. The proposed alternative was Ponte della Zirada. In fact, the structure rises in this curve of the canal which, in the Venetian dialect, is called "zirada".
The city council approved the name "Constitution Bridge", but Venetians still refer to this work of architecture and architecture in their own language. with the name Ponte di Calatrava.
The history of the Venice Constitution Bridge
The bridge project was donated to the city in 1997, and the idea was to unite the Santa Lucia station à Piazzale Roma. However, work only began on the original project in 2003, 1? years should have been enough for completion. Instead, it will take about 6 years.
The initial cost of construction was 6.7 million euros, but the actual cost is in excess of 11 million, to which we must add the cable car.
Finally, the Constitution Bridge in Venice was inaugurated on September 11, 2008.
Compared to the other three bridges on the Grand Canal, the Constitution Bridge is the youngest of them all. which requires higher annual maintenance costs.
An aborted project
In its original design, the bridge represented an impassable architectural barrier for disabled people or elderly people with walking difficulties. For this reason, a cable car was to overcome this obstacle, enabling anyone to cross the Grand Canal in 7 minutes.
It was supposed to cost 1.1 million euros, but in the end 1.8 million euros were spent on this semi-transparent motorized gondola. Once completed, it never went into service, and in 2020, the gondola will be replaced by a new one. has been dismantled and has disappeared from the plant.
Venice's Constitution Bridge: slippery glass steps
A major complaint is the difficulty of walking on the Constitution Bridge. The height of the steps is uneven. This forces the walker to constantly change pace, with the risk of tripping or slipping.
The glass steps, although specially treated, proved too slippery. Most Venetians complained about this, and renamed it the "Bridge of the Dead". After numerous falls and claims for compensation, the Municipality of Venice decided to replace the glass steps with trachyte, a stone from the nearby Euganean hills.
High maintenance costs
People who cross this bridge generally use the side section, thus using the glass section of the steps rather than the central trachyte one. Cracks and breakages appear regularly.
Replacing a single step on the Calatrava Bridge costs around €4,500. Many have already broken since its inauguration. Why are they so expensive? Because they're made of special glass that has been treated to prevent slipping. Replacing all the steps costs the municipality around 500,000 euros. A significant loss of revenue for the Municipality of Venice.
The Constitution Bridge in Venice is a work of art that can come in handy if you're not afraid of climbing on it. If you happen to be in Venice, I advise you to visit it. Failing that, take the bridge, you'll be able to take magnificent photos of the building.
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