RIALTO LAYING
This mythical bridge has long been an important commercial crossroads in the city. From its top, the view of the Canal is breathtaking.
It is the most photographed bridge in Venice, immortalized by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice. Located at the narrowest point of the Grand Canal, the Rialto connects the San Marco district to the San Polo district. Originally, the bridge was not really a bridge. It was simply made up of boats, called quartarole, after the name of the currency used for the toll: it is said that it was enough to untie some of them to let the ships pass. In the 13th century, this rudimentary bridge was replaced by a wooden drawbridge. But this fragile structure suffered a fire. It even collapsed, before being rebuilt... without much success. Towards the end of the 16th century, when the Rialto was again in danger of falling into ruin, the municipality of Venice decided to rebuild it in stone. Several projects were presented by famous architects of the time: Andrea Palladio, Jacopo Sansovino or Antonio da Ponte. It is the score of this last which was retained. The works were spread out from 1588 to 1591. Consisting of a single large arch, the new Rialto Bridge is 48 m long, 22 m wide and 7.50 m high. Crossed by three ramps of stairs, it houses a double row of stalls that are now souvenir stores. Because of its location, its breathtaking view of the Grand Canal and the dozens of restaurants established at its feet, the Rialto is, after St. Mark's Square, the second most visited tourist site in the city.
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