Rialto

The most famous bridge in Venice, Rialto, is resting on 12 thousand pilings drawn into the floor of the Grand Canal. Its history spans 8 centuries. During its long “life,” the bridge sustained numerous damages, until in 1591 the little-known architect Antonio de Ponte won a contest for the best draft of a stone bridge. The unique appeal of Rialto is its covered market where stalls are separated with elegant arcs and where all sorts of items have been sold for 5 centuries.