Rialto Bridge, Venice
Rialto Bridge
Venice, Italy
One of the most popular sights in Venice and mentioned in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice
About the Rialto Bridge
Connecting San Polo to San Marco, the Rialto Bridge was built in three years (between 1588 and 1591). The bridge is made of Istrian stone (an impermeable limestone).
Figures carved into the bridge are the Annunciation with the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary (by Agostino Rubini) and San Marco and San Teodoro – the protectors of Venice (by Tiziano Aspetti).
The Bridge connects the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice, Italy, across the Grand Canal. It serves as a key pedestrian crossing and is a major landmark in the city
The Rialto is also mentioned in works of literature, notably in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, where Salanio asks “What news on the Rialto?”
Visiting the Rialto Bridge
Useful Information
Rialto Bridge Tips
Shopping: The Rialto Bridge shops are fairly tourist orientated. For gifts like Murano Glass buy from genuine craftsmen and women or make your own Murano Glass – see Murano page.
Tickets & Tours
The Rialto area and San Polo has a number of tours to help you explore all the area has to offer, from the Rialto Markets to Food and wine
Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour | Rialto Area Street Food Tour and Sightseeing
Skyview Venice: Rooftops Views and Hidden Streets | St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, Rialto, and Gondola Tour
History of the Rialto Bridge
The present stone bridge is a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte. Construction began in 1588 and was completed in 1591.
The current bridge was designed as a permanent replacement for three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century and the boats that carried people across the canal. The Rialto Bridge was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854.
The Rialto Bridge was designed to allow passage of ships and boats beneath. It is said that is it built on 12,000 wooden pilings that still support the bridge today.
St Mark and Theodore are a common theme in Venice. On the Fondaco dei Tedeschi side of the Rialto Bridge you will find the carved figures of St. Mark and St. Theodore.
Nearby Venice Attractions
Link to: Rialto Markets
Rialto Markets
A genuine Venetian market experience
Link to: Church of San Polo
Church of San Polo
Paintings by Tintoretto, Palma the Younger
Link to: San Giacomo di Rialto
San Giacomo di Rialto
Vivaldi Instrument Collection
B&B in San Polo
Bed & Breakfast in San PoloHotels in San Polo
View and book Hotels in San PoloApts in San Polo
Apartments in San PoloAlways double check to ensure the property is in the correct location and suitable for your requirements
SAN POLO ATTRACTIONS MAP
With Place Markers
San Marco Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: San Marco
St Mark’s Square
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Campanile
Doge’s Palace
Piazzetta Di San Marco
Historic Cafes
Museo Correr
Marciana Library
National Archaeological Museum
Olivetti Museum
Bridge Of Sighs
Church Of Santo Stefano
Church Of San Salvatore
Church Of San Moise
Palazzo Grassi
Palazzo Contarini Del Bovolo
Palace Gardens
Music Museum
La Fenice
Harry’s Bar
Fortuny Palace
Fondaco Tedeschi
Santa Croce Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Santa Croce
Natural History Museum
Papadopoli Gardens
Church Of San Nicola Da Tolentino
San Stae Church
Palazzo Mocenigo
San Giacomo Dell’Orio
Ca’ Pesaro
Cannaregio Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Cannaregio
Ca D’oro
Campo Dei Mori
Casino Di Venezia
Chiesa Degli Scalzi
Color Library
Madonna Dell’Orto
Marco Polo House
Oratorio Dei Crociferi
Wagner Museum
Venice Ghetto
Santi Apostoli
Scuola Grande Della Misericordia
Santa Maria Dei Miracoli
San Polo Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: San Polo
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Markets
Campo San Polo
Church Of San Polo
Scuola Grande Di San Rocco
San Giacomo Di Rialto
Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
Castello Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Castello
Aqua Alta Bookshop
Scuola Grande Di San Marco
Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo
Church Of San Zaccaria
Marinaressa Gardens
Naval Museum
Venice Arsenale
Palazzo Grimani
Riva Degli Schiavoni
Riva Dei Sette Martiri
San Francesco Della Vigna
San Giovanni In Bragora
Santa Maria Della Pieta
Biennale & Giardini
Querini Stampalia
Dorsoduro Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Dorsoduro
Ca’ Rezzonico
Fondamenta Delle Zattere
Gallerie Dell Accademia
Palazzo Cini
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Ponte Dei Pugni
Punta Della Dogana
San Barnaba
San Pantalon
San Sebastiano
Santa Maria Della Salute
Scuola Grande Dei Carmini
Giudecca
Venice Lagoon Islands
For an overview of the area view the main page: Venice Lagoon Islands
Murano
Burano
La Vignole
Lido Di Venezia
Mazzorbo
San Francesco Del Deserto
San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Servolo
Sant’Erasmo
San Michele
Lazzaretto Nuovo
Torcello
Chioggia