An older version of the Academy Bridge, built in 1854 by engineer Alfred Neville. Photo from the Internet
This is what the Accademia Bridge in Venice looked like until dictator Benito Mussolini ordered it to be dismantled. After this, a temporary wooden bridge was built, which still connects the Accademia Galleries with the San Marco area.
The history of the Academy Bridge began in the 15th century. The first project to build a bridge on this site appeared in 1488. But almost four centuries passed before the bridge depicted in the engraving was built. This happened during the period of Austrian rule - in 1852, the Austrian engineer Alfred Neville, who had already built 37 iron bridges in Europe, proposed a design for a steel bridge with one horizontal beam, which was implemented two years later.
However, the Venetians did not like the new bridge at all. The steel bridge did not fit into the traditional appearance of the city, and its low height interfered with shipping. However, the bridge was used until, by the thirties of the 20th century, its structures had aged and became unsafe.
Then a competition was announced for a new stone bridge, but before construction began, it was decided to build a temporary wooden crossing. Eugenio Miozzi (1889-1979) managed to build this high single-arch bridge in just 37 days, and the bridge was opened on February 15, 1933. The authorities were in no hurry to allocate money to begin construction of the stone bridge, but the Venetians liked the Miozzi Bridge. So the temporary bridge turned into a permanent one.
Its serious reconstruction was carried out only in 1986, when the crossing's surface was completely renewed and some of the elements were replaced with metal ones. But this did not affect the appearance of the bridge.
Meanwhile, the Venetian authorities are not abandoning plans to build a permanent stone bridge at this site.
The appearance and supporting structures of the bridge have become dilapidated, which is why its condition was declared emergency.
In Italy, there is a sign that came from nowhere - in order for a marriage to be strong and happy, the newlyweds must cross seven bridges. In this case, the newlyweds of Venice can be envied - the city has more than 400 bridges connecting the islands and islets that make up this charming and incredibly romantic city. The bridges of Venice are unique and inimitable, each has its own story - mysterious, sad or romantic...
Rialto is the very first bridge in Venice, connecting the banks of the Grand Canal.
Rialto Bridge
Its history began in 1181, when, under the leadership of engineer Nicolo Baratieri, a pontoon bridge was built, named Ponte della Moneta in honor of the nearby Mint.
After a hundred years, due to the development of the Rialto Market Canal on the eastern bank and, accordingly, the increased load on the bridge, it became necessary to replace the pontoon bridge with a stronger and more reliable crossing.
Rialto is the very first bridge in Venice, connecting the banks of the Grand Canal
By the middle of the 13th century, a new bridge was erected over the Grand Canal - a drawbridge. It was designed in the form of an arch, the central part of which opened to allow ships to pass through. This bridge eventually became known as the Rialto Bridge.
The wooden structure was destroyed several times - first, the bridge suffered from a fire, then collapsed due to the fact that too many people gathered on it to watch the regatta.
Of course, the bridge was restored each time until they came to the conclusion that wood was not the most suitable material for this. In the middle of the 16th century, the Venetian authorities announced a design competition, the winner of which was the architect Antonio de Ponte. The Rialto Stone Bridge is a beautiful and reliable symbol of Venice that still serves people today.
Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs – small but very picturesque Venice bridge, connecting two buildings - the prison and, separated by the Palace Canal. Rio di Palazio, better known as the Bridge of Sighs, was built in 1602 by the architect Antonio Conti.
A rather massive stone bridge with walls and a roof is decorated with decorative elements made of marble, giving the structure some grace.
Bridge of Sighs, Venice
In the Middle Ages, convicts passed along this bridge, sighing at the sight of Venetian beauties, which they may have seen for the last time - in those days, few people returned from prison. One of these returnees was the famous Giacomo Casanova - the only person who managed to escape from prison.
Recently another legend appeared in Venice related to Bridge of Sighs. They say that if lovers sailing under a bridge on a gondola kiss, their feelings will be eternal and will survive any adversity. You just have to kiss at sunset!
Scalzi Bridge
The Scalzi is one of four bridges located on the Grand Canal. This bridge, connecting the areas of Cannaregio and Santa Croce, was built in 1856 and, like many bridges of Venice, was almost immediately criticized for its small size, which prevented large ships from passing underneath it.
The Venetians also did not like the architectural appearance of the bridge, which, in their opinion, did not fit into the historical image of the city at all.
In 1934 Scalzi Bridge was reconstructed, the industrial-style iron structure was replaced by a graceful arched bridge made of stone. The author of the project was the architect Eugenio Mozzi: he managed to make the massive stone structure very light and elegant - the thickness of the upper part of the bridge does not exceed 80 centimeters thanks to a special masonry system.
The Scalzi Bridge is located next to the train station
The name of the bridge translates as “barefoot bridge.” According to one version, the name is associated with the Church of the Barefoot Carmelite Monks, located nearby - on the banks of the Grand Canal. On the other hand, with beggars, a large number of whom lived in the area of the bridge and walked across it barefoot.
The Scalzi Bridge is located very conveniently, in close proximity to the main transport hubs of Venice - and the bus station in Piazza Roma.
Academy Bridge
The Accademia Bridge connects the banks of the Grand Canal in the part of the city where the Accademia Gallery is located, famous for its magnificent collection of Venetian paintings, including works by famous masters - Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese.
The construction of the bridge was planned back in 1488, but due to the complexity of the design and insufficient funding, it was built only in 1854. Architect Alfred Neville chose metal as the main material, which, according to most townspeople, was too modern for this area of Venice.
In 1933, in place of the iron structure, a wooden bridge appeared, created according to the design of Eugenio Mozzi, the architect who designed the Scalzi Bridge. Later it was planned to replace the wooden bridge with a stone one, but these plans were never put into practice.
The Academy Bridge is a pedestrian bridge and its length is 48 meters
In 1985, the worn-out wooden structure was replaced with a new one, also made of wood. The new bridge became an exact copy of the previous one. From the top Academy Bridge There are magnificent views of the city and surrounding attractions.
Venice is a surprisingly romantic city with many cozy buildings and small canals separating them, where a unique atmosphere reigns. The city on the water boasts a huge number of attractions, while visiting them, tourists often forget about another marvelous feature of Venice - its bridges. We have selected six of the most beautiful and unusual, in our opinion, bridges.
The Scalzi Bridge (Ponte degli Scalzi), designed by Eugenio Miozzi, is one of the crossings over the Grand Canal. It is this bridge that you will see first when arriving in Venice: it is located in close proximity to the city’s train station and connects two districts: Santa Croce and Cannaregio, separated by a canal. Ponte degli Scalzi is translated from Italian as “barefoot bridge”. According to one legend, the bridge received this name because beggars lived not far from it and did not even have enough money to buy shoes. The construction of Scalzi was completed in the 1930s, and since then hundreds of thousands of feet of local residents and tourists have walked along it.
Although this Liberty Bridge (Ponte della Liberta) does not stand out as anything special, be it an interesting history or anything else, from the community of its counterparts located in Venice, it is still unique for the city in that it connects it to land, and specifically with the Mestre area. Created in 1932 by the talented Eugenio Miozia and opened in 1933 on the orders of Benito Mussolini, the bridge became a symbol of the decline of the fascist dictatorship. It stretches for almost four kilometers, making it one of the longest not only in Venice, but in all of Italy.
(Ponte di Rialto) was built back in 1591, it is not surprising that it is considered one of the oldest in Venice. Once upon a time, local merchants who lived nearby traded on it with all their might, and merchant ships that arrived from far away with overseas wonders unloaded. Many hundreds of years have passed, but life on Rialto is still in full swing. Tourists invariably come here to take a photo from the bridge: the Rialto offers breathtaking views.
Perhaps this bridge can be called one of the most famous in Venice. It was built back in 1602 from white marble according to the design of Antonio Contino, whose uncle, by the way, was the author of the Rialto Bridge. Despite its romantic name, (Ponte dei Sospiri) has a rather sad history. It connects the building of the Doge's Palace, where court sessions once took place, and the prison, to which many prisoners were sent after the trial. Only on this bridge could the convicts take a last look at the city on the water.
Ponte dei Pugni is translated from Italian as “bridge of fists”. It received this name for a reason; behind it there is an interesting story that happened many hundreds of years ago, when the Venetian tradition of fist fights still existed. The purpose of the tournaments was to throw the enemy into the water, which was not very difficult: the bridge did not have railings. And today, attentive tourists notice on the Bridge of Fists the marks that the participants in the battle stood on before it began.
Not far from the majestic canal, the Straw Bridge (Ponte della Paglia) spans the waters. Tourists who have visited it often ask where it got its name, because straw was definitely not the material used to create it. The graceful Straw Bridge has its own history. Local residents claim that it was named so because many centuries ago a straw merchant lived next to the bridge.
In addition to the majestic bridges that have their own history, Venice also has a huge number of anonymous pontes that also deserve attention. Therefore, when you go to a city on the water, carefully study them too: you will probably find their own zest in each!
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The Scalzi Bridge is one of four bridges that span the Grand Canal. Its appearance is associated with the construction of the Santa Lucia railway station in the area.
The bridge was built during the reign of the Habsburgs, so it is not surprising that the author of the project was an Austrian engineer. Like the Academy Bridge, it was built by Alfred Neuville. Both bridges were designed in an industrial style, without the slightest hint of matching the beautiful Venetian buildings. Apparently, Neville, a man with Austrian roots, was guided only by the principles of rationality during construction. It is not surprising that both the Academy Bridge and the Scalzi Bridge caused complete rejection among the townspeople.
In 1932, by decision of the Venetian authorities, the construction of a new bridge designed by the architect Eugenio Miozzi began. The iron structure was replaced by an elegant stone bridge with one span about 7 meters high. The peculiarity of the Scalzi Bridge is that its steps, wide at the base, gradually narrow, and in the upper part, in the very middle, the width of the platform is only 80 centimeters. And one more thing: this is the “loudest” bridge in Venice. Numerous passengers traveling from and to the station use the wheels of their suitcases to create a characteristic noise, clicking on the steps of the bridge.
Freedom Bridge
The Liberty Bridge, starting in 1933, connected Venice with the mainland by highway. Until this moment, the only way to get into the city was by railroad.
The first railway bridge to connect with the mainland was built back in 1846, when Venice was part of the Austrian Empire. The railway line laid along it ended at the Venetian Santa Lucia station.
The twentieth century brought unprecedented developments in road transport, and in 1931 the Italian engineer Eugenio Miozzo proposed to reconstruct and expand the railway bridge, making it suitable for the movement of cars. In 1933, during the reign of Benito Mussolini, the proposed project was implemented under the name Ponte Littorio. Thus, a completely new bridge emerged, which, after the end of World War II, was quite naturally renamed the Freedom Bridge.
The total length of the bridge is almost 4 kilometers. Traffic along it is carried out in two lanes in each direction. In addition, there are bicycle and walking paths. The bridge leads to Piazza Roma, where there is a huge parking lot for cars and buses. To get from here to the historical part of Venice, you should take the water bus.
Three Arches Bridge
The Rio de Cannaregio, the canal connecting the lagoon and the Grand Canal, is crossed by only two bridges: the Gullier Bridge (Bridge of Spires) and the superb Bridge of Three Arches. The latter is the only structure of this type that has survived in Venice to this day.
The history of the bridge, as often happens, began with a simple wooden structure that connected the two banks. In 1533, the wood that had fallen into disrepair was replaced with stone, but even then it was just a utilitarian structure, devoid of any outstanding architectural features.
The bridge we see today was built in 1688 by Andrea Tiralli. Its unusual design with three arches of different sizes was borrowed by the architect from sketches by the famous Renaissance painter and graphic artist Jacopo de' Barbari. Initially, the bridge was named after St. Job, due to its location next to the cathedral of the same name.
Three bridge spans rise above the canal: a high one in the center, two smaller ones on the sides. They divide the water surface into three parts, so only small boats can pass under the bridge. Historians have expressed the opinion that the Bridge of Three Arches was created in this form to make it difficult for large enemy ships to access the city through the Cannaregio Canal. However, the version that sounds more plausible is that the choice was dictated by simple mathematical calculations, which made it possible to create a durable structure while maintaining the grace of its lines.
Ponte delle Guglie
The only bridge in Venice decorated with turrets on both sides is the Ponte delle Guglie. It spreads over the Canareggio Canal, near its confluence with the Grand Canal.
The first wooden bridge on this site was built back in 1285, but in 1580 it was replaced by a stone one. In 1641 and 1677, the bridge underwent reconstruction, and it took on its final form in 1823, when two white spiers appeared on both sides, erected on a stone parapet. At the same time, the bridge received its modern name Guglie, which means spire. Until this moment it was called Canaregio.
The bridge's carved balustrade, railings and frame of the span over the water are painted white, which harmonizes perfectly with the main brickwork. The bridge is decorated with two coats of arms of Doge Pasquale da Ponte and stone masks of either fabulous animals or satyrs. In 1987, the bridge underwent a new renovation to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
Academy Bridge
The Academy Bridge was opened to pedestrians on February 19, 1933 as a temporary structure. But, as you know, there is nothing more permanent than temporary - for 80 years it has connected the San Marco area and the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery.
The need to build a bridge was first discussed back in 1488, but almost four hundred years passed before words were put into action. There were long debates about where exactly to connect the banks, in what way - a bridge or a tunnel, until in 1852 they accepted the proposal of engineer Alfred Neville, taking into account his extensive experience in this area. Two years later, a bridge with one horizontal metal span 50 meters long appeared, the only one of its kind in Italy. Despite the obvious amenities that the new bridge brought to the townspeople, it caused mixed reactions. Its structures, reminiscent of industrial ones, did not fit into the historical appearance of the area. In the end, it was decided to replace it with stone. In anticipation of the new construction, the Neuville Bridge was dismantled, and a wooden one was erected in its place in just 37 days. Now the Academy Bridge has turned into a light arched structure 48 meters long.
On both sides of the bridge steps lead to its central horizontal platform. The metal handrails are hung with locks - this is how lovers all over the world try to symbolically seal their feelings. The Venetian authorities are doing their best to combat this tradition, but padlocks appear again and again. When you reach the highest point of the bridge, don’t forget to turn 360 degrees around yourself – a lot of attractions will come into your field of vision.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge that connects the two banks of the Grand Canal in Venice. The Rialto is also one of the most famous and popular attractions in Venice. Initially, the banks of the canal were connected by wooden bridges, but after several destructions, in 1591 the bridge was erected in stone.
The design of the bridge required that it be able to support the retail shops that could be located under its arcades. As a result, the bridge turned out to be not only durable, but also beautiful, still decorating the city. The length of the bridge arch is 28 meters, the maximum height on the water is 7.5 meters. There are 24 souvenir shops on the bridge. The best way to view the bridge in detail is from the water, and from the bridge itself there is a beautiful view of the city.
Constitution Bridge
The Pont de la Constitution is the newest bridge on the Grand Canal. Created at the beginning of the 21st century, it clearly challenges traditional Venetian bridges with its constructivist appearance.
The author of the project was the famous Spanish architect and artist Santiago Calatrava. Knowing his previous works, one could assume that this project would be completely original. And Calatrava did not disappoint: using glass as one of the main materials in the construction of the bridge is a very bold decision.
The main arc-shaped structure is made of heavy-duty steel. But the parapets and steps are made of tempered glass. The parapets are framed with bronze handrails, in which lighting lamps are mounted. The arc length of the bridge is 94 meters. Starting on the bank with a width of 5.58 meters, in the central part the bridge widens to almost 10 meters. This, by the way, is very convenient for tourists: those who stop to take photographs or simply enjoy the view of the beautiful Venetian palazzos do not disturb other pedestrians. At night, the bridge is illuminated from the ground. Light, penetrating through the glass surfaces, creates a bizarre glow, turning the bridge into an almost unearthly object.
Bareteri Bridge
The Bareteri Bridge may not be the most outstanding in size and design on the list of bridges in Venice, but it has some special charm that attracts tourists here.
If you walk along the ancient Venetian streets, do not be lazy to find this small stone bridge that connects the streets Merceria San Zulian and Merceria del Capitello. The name of the bridge is not particularly poetic - translated it means Hatters' Bridge, since masters of making hats have long worked in this area.
Just one span, ten stone balusters in the balustrade on each side - it seems nothing special. But it’s worth stopping in the middle of the bridge, looking around, and you will see the very textbook Venice as we imagine it. A narrow canal separates one row of houses from another. It seems that if you stretch out your hand, you will reach the opposite balcony. There are traditional shutters on the windows, bright geraniums on the window sills. Everything here remains the same as it was in the Middle Ages. And the bridge itself looks somehow fabulous, from the era of noisy Venetian carnivals.
By the way, from the bridge you can see the secret passage to the former house of the all-powerful prosecutor of Venice Marco Venier (now the French Cultural Center). They say that the frivolous wife of the prosecutor took her young lovers to this house during carnivals. Under the Bareteri Bridge, a gondola always stood ready, ready to save the next gentleman from the wrath of his deceived husband.
Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is an ancient arched bridge located in Venice, Italy. The bridge is very beautiful and is very popular among tourists.
The Bridge of Sighs spans the Palace Canal. It connects the Doge's Palace, where the city court used to be located, and the building of the former Venetian prison. The bridge got its name precisely because of the sorrowful sighs of convicted criminals who were sent to serve their sentences.
However, despite the sad history of the origin of the name, the architecture of the bridge cannot be called gloomy. The Bridge of Sighs was built in 1602 under the direction of the architect Antonio Conti, who richly decorated his creation with Baroque carvings and white marble. The bridge looks very light and airy.
Today, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most romantic attractions in Venice and a popular place for dates. According to local legends, a couple in love who kissed on this bridge will never break up. In addition, the Bridge of Sighs is especially loved by tourists - it is truly very beautiful, and rarely does any excursion around the city complete without visiting it.
Straw Bridge
Ponte della Paglia - the Straw Bridge - is one of the oldest bridges in Venice. The date of its construction is considered to be 1360. Despite its name, it is not made of straw at all, but of strong Istrian stone.
There are several versions of the origin of the name of this bridge. The most reliable is the following: barges with straw moored near this place, which, mixed with clay, was widely used by the poor as a material for roofs. In addition, there were stables nearby, where straw was also needed. Historical documents and decrees were found in the archives that prohibited the unloading of straw bales here due to frequent fires. One way or another, the historical name has survived to this day.
In the Middle Ages, there were sentry booths on both sides of the bridge. They checked everyone who crossed the bridge, and also controlled trade and the payment of taxes to the city treasury.
The Straw Bridge is an attractive viewing platform for tourists. From here you have an excellent view of the gloomy Palace Canal and its main attraction - the Bridge of Sighs. And on the other side, you will see a magnificent picture of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, standing on the opposite bank of the Grand Canal.
Bridge of Saint Moses
The Bridge of St. Moses is interesting, first of all, for its location. It is the link between Calle Larga XXII and the square in front of the Cathedral of San Mois.
This bridge is one of the oldest in Venice. Under its curved arch lies perhaps the busiest pier, where gondolas dock and depart without interruption. Despite the fact that the place here is quite narrow, the gondoliers steer their boats with enviable dexterity, avoiding collisions. The bridge is constantly crowded with tourists, filming this “Brownian motion” in photos and videos.
