Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice and connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo. It is the oldest of the four bridges over the Grand Canal and a focal point of the city’s commercial area.

The bridge features a single span lined with small shops and a central pedestrian walkway, forming a major crossing point across the canal. It is one of Venice’s most photographed sites and sits beside the historic Rialto market.

The present stone bridge was designed by Antonio da Ponte and completed in 1591, replacing earlier wooden bridges and a previous stone structure. It has undergone maintenance and restorations over the centuries to preserve its structure and appearance.

Located at the narrowest point of the Grand Canal, the bridge sits near the Rialto market area in central Venice and is within easy walking distance of Piazza San Marco and many vaporetto stops.

• Structure: The bridge carries a row of small shops on both sides and has a single stone arch that replaced earlier wooden crossings in the late 16th century.
• Best viewpoints: Photographs are best taken from the Grand Canal banks or from a vaporetto passing beneath the arch to capture the bridge with the canal activity.