Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges to cross the Grand Canal in Venice and connects the districts of San Marco and San Polo. It is also the most famous bridge in Venice, thanks to its peculiar history and design. For many years, the overpass was the most important financial center in Venice.

It was built between 1588 and 1591 by Antonio da Ponte, who had won a contest where Michelangelo and Palladio also submitted designs for the bridge. The present Ponte di Rialto was built in stone to replace a wooden bridge which had collapsed on two occasions and had been partially burnt down in 1310.

The Renaissance-style design of the stone bridge is similar to its predecessors, with two inclined ramps that are connected by an arch in the middle.

Any hour is good to visit the Rialto Bridge. We even recommend crossing the bridge at different times of the day to see the Grand Canal in all its splendor and, like the rest of the crowd on the bridge, try and take a photo of the remarkable Venice lying below.  

Rialto Market

If you pass over the bridge from Piazza San Marco, you will come across the Rialto Market. This colorful market is packed with delicious-looking fruit, vegetables, and even a fish market. If you visit Venice in summer, you will surely be tempted by the trays of fresh fruit on sale in some of the market’s stands.

The Rialto Market opens daily from 9 am until noon on the Campo della Pescheria and its surrounding streets.

Fun fact: Venice’s market already existed in exactly the same location in 1097. The name “Rivoaltus” means never flooded, solid ground. In 1514, a fire destroyed most of the Rialto Market, which is why the central area of Venice’s buildings dates from the 16th century. The market’s smaller streets are named after various guilds.

Check out the following activities to discover the area of Rialto and its iconic bridge:

• Rialto & Jewish Quarter Tour
• Castello, Rialto, & San Marco Tour