In this article, I present Venice's bridgeswhich span the Serenissima's canals.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Venice's most beautiful bridges
- Facts and anecdotes about each of them
- How to reach them easily
- Practical information to help you discover them
- And much more!
If you're looking for information on Venice's bridges, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Venice Bridge: article summary
Venice Bridge: a brief history of the Serenissima's bridges
Venice seems inseparable from its bridges, and for good reason: there are many of them. 435 linking the 125 islands and islets of the city. They span the numerous canals (over 180 ) that wind their way through Venice.
During your stay in the cityyou'll be borrowing a lot of them. You'll soon realize that they are extremely practical. But they weren't always there!
I'd like to come back to the history of these bridgeswith facts and anecdotes you need to know. Then I'll introduce you to Venice's must-see bridges!
Originally, Venice had no bridges.
Incredible as it may seem today, Venice hasn't always had bridges.
In the beginning, people moved around on foot or horseback and used their own boats to cross. Even in those days the traghettiwhich even today allow you to cross canals in just a few minutes, while standing upright.
Occasionally, footbridges made of wooden pallets tied together were used to walk on the water. But the lack of stability and tedious upkeep, which had to be paid for by the neighbors, soon rendered them useless. obsolete.
With the rise of trade and exchange of goods, and the growing population of Venice, the need to build bridges arose.
Bridge building in Venice
Venice's first bridges were built in wood, stone and metal later. Today, there are 300 stone bridges, around 80 wooden bridges and 60 metal bridges. The first stone bridge dates back to à 1170. As for the iron bridges, they are mainly the work of the Austrians, in the early 19th century.
The early wooden bridges, flat and without steps to allow horses to cross easily, were soon replaced by stronger structures and a different architecture: steps appear and, above all, the arched shape allows the passage of the gondolas and the various boats below.
Today, essential bridges for visitors and locals alike
Venice's bridges are now crossed every day by thousands of tourists and by residents who move from neighborhood to neighborhood, without necessarily paying attention to the wealth that lies beneath their feet.
These bridges have a story ! I advise you to pay close attention to their structure and location when you borrow them: they have many secrets to reveal!
What are Venice's most famous bridges?
You'll see hundreds of bridges in Venice! Here are 5 of them to linger over, for their history, renown and unusual architecture.
Rialto Bridge, Venice's most famous bridge
Visit Rialto Bridge is a symbol of Venicejust like the gondolas or the masks of the Carnival.
First bridge to be built over the Grand Canal of Venice (in 1588, for its stone version), it has fascinating and unique architecturewhich still make it the star of many a visitor's photograph.
It soon became home to a number of small stores, now transformed into tourist stalls.
Address : Sestiere San Polo, 30125, Venice
The Bridge of Sighs, also known as the Bridge of Lovers
Another of Venice's emblematic bridges, Bridge of Sighs is wrongly regarded as the lovers' bridge. It's because of a poem by Lord Byron that it's given this romantic aura, publishing that it served above all as the last point of passage for death row inmates !
It links the Doge's Palace to the city's former prisons and is easy to visit, particularly if you opt for the Venice City Pass.
Address : Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice
The Academy Bridge
This is one of the 4 bridges crossing the Grand Canal. It is a wooden bridge that should have been ephemeral.
It was built in just 37 days after the destruction of the previous iron bridge linking the banks, which was showing signs of weakness. And it should have been replaced quickly! But it's still there over 90 years later. Proof of the quality of engineer Eugenio Miozzi's work!
This is the bridge to cross if you love Art and want to see the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Address: Ponte dell'Accademia, 30123 Venice
The Constitution Bridge
It's the most modern bridge in Venice (completed in 2008). And it's not much appreciated by Venetians. It has to be said that with its futuristic design and the lack of practicality when it comes to rolling luggage, it's debatable!
But you'll see for yourself, if you get to the Piazzale Roma and you choose to walk to the city center!
Address: Ponte della Costituzione, 30135 Venice
Chiodo Bridge
All the bridges in Venice have railings to avoid falling into the water, of which there were many in those days! All except the Chiodo Bridge, located in the Cannaregio district.
This feature makes it unique or almostas there is another in the style, on the island of Torcello the Devil's Bridge!
Address: Rio di san Felice, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Facts and Anecdotes about Venice's bridges
With all the bridges in Venice, from those mentioned above to other famous bridges such as the Ponte degli Scalzi, Ponte dei Pugni or even Pont de la PailleA lot of stories and anecdotes surround them.
Here are just a few examples:
- The bridge Venice's longest is the Liberty Bridge, which connects the Venice lagoon to the mainland. Inaugurated in 1941, it is 3,850 m long!
- Visit oldest Venetian bridge is a small wooden bridge called Poste Vecie, which stands close to the Rialto market and now serves as the entrance to a restaurant !
- Some bridges are called storto, or twisted or askew, because they were built long after the streets were laid out. So you get the impression that they've been placed there somewhat haphazardly, in an unorthodox manner!
- Visit Pont des Seins or Pont des Tétons owes its name to the fact that prostitutes used to bait customers passing by on the bridge by flashing their breasts from their bedroom windows!
- There were so many falls into water in Venice that every morning a local newspaper published a list of those who had fallen into the canals the day before!
How to discover Venice's bridges?
Venice's bridges are an integral part of the Serenissima's history, and what's more, they tell the story as you cross them!
To make the most of it, here are the best solutions:
- Browse them on foot going from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, looking for main points of interest of Venice
- Borrowing the vaporetti to get around on the channels and therefore pass under some of these beautiful bridges
- Opt for a romantic gondola ride! This will allow you to pass underneath them at a slow pace. And enjoy all their details!
- By making a trip in water cab to see the bridges that interest you!
To easily locate the various bridges in Venice, see my interactive map to make your life easier!
Leave a Reply