The Ponte Rialto is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and the oldest of 4 bridges in Venice that cross the Grand Canal. For those of you who don’t know, Venice is a lagoon city. It is basically a collection of 117 flat islands connected by water canals. 
The islands are manmade structures. Wooden stakes were pushed into little patches of sand and dirt. The water and mud have kept these foundations from rotting over time. Bridges were built to connect the different islands, and thus Venice was founded. The Rialto sits on the biggest canal, appropriately named the Grand Canal.
The bridge’s history begins in 1181. Niccolò Barattieri built a pontoon bridge, or floating bridge, across the canal. The bridge was called Moneta. The more important the Rialto Market became, the more people that used the bridge. So in 1255, a wooden bridge was constructed in place of the pontoon. 
The wooden bridge lasted for a while. However, the prosperity stopped during a revolt when it was partially burned in 1310. Trouble struck again when it collapsed under the weight of an audience watching a boat race. in 1444 It was rebuilt, but collapsed again in 1524. Enough was enough. 
Antonio da Ponte created the design for the stone bridge that exists today. Architects who threw in their bid but were denied include Palladio, Vignola, and even Michelangelo. It was completed in 1591.
Other contemporary architects believed the design to be flawed, but the bridge has defied critics and is one of Venice’s biggest tourist attractions today. It’s no surprise, though. The view from the bridge is undeniably amazing. 
Other contemporary architects believed the design to be flawed, but the bridge has defied critics and is one of Venice’s biggest tourist attractions today. It’s no surprise, though. The view from the bridge is undeniably amazing. 
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