What bridges can you see in Venice and what are they called? The most famous bridges in Venice Bridges in Venice names

Venice is called the most amazing city on Earth. The city consists of many islands that are connected to each other by more than four hundred bridges and footbridges. There are no roads, traffic lights or cars in Venice; instead, there are embankments, canals, gondolas and water buses. But since my blog is about, now we will talk about the bridges of Venice, or rather the most famous of them, which span two canals, the Palace Canal and the Grand Canal.

Bridges of Venice crossing the Palace Canal.

Straw Bridge (Ponte della Paglia)– built in 1360 and expanded in the 19th century. The bridge crosses the Palace Canal (Rio di Palazio) and is located to the left of the Palace of the Rains.

There are two versions of where the name Straw Bridge came from, either from the pier where ships bringing straw for the prison moored, or from the house of the straw merchant, which was located next to the bridge.

Straw Bridge

Bridge of Sighs(Ponte dei Sospiri), this is another small arched bridge built over the Palace Canal in the seventeenth century. I talked about it in more detail in the article.

Venice bridges over the Grand Canal.

Academy Bridge (Ponte dell'Accademia), is the southernmost of the four bridges in Venice that connect the banks of the Grand Canal.

The Academy Bridge received its name in honor of the Academy Gallery art museum, which is located in a former monastery. The bridge connects the San Marco area with the Accademia Galleries.

The bridge was built in 1854 as a steel structure and was reconstructed in the 1930s. The steel bridge was replaced by a temporary wooden bridge, which the townspeople really liked and had to leave it.

Due to severe wear and tear, the wooden Academy Bridge was demolished and a new bridge was built, preserving the structure and appearance of its predecessor.

Academy Bridge

Rialto Bridge the very first and oldest bridge across the Grand Canal. I talked more about this bridge in the article.

Scalzi Bridge (Ponte degli Scalzi), connecting the areas of Cannaregio and Santa Croce via the Grand Canal. The Scalzi Bridge has a second name - the Barefoot Bridge. According to one version, the bridge received this name because of the large number of beggars living in the area of ​​the bridge. According to another more plausible version, through the name of the church of the barefoot Carmelite monks, which is located near the bridge. The modern bridge on this site was built in 1934.

Scalzi Bridge

That's all for today, about the rest, less known bridges of Venice, I’ll write sometime next time, and finally, a few more beautiful photos of Venice and its bridges.

For Venice, located on numerous islands, bridges are as important as air. It is no coincidence that there are more than four hundred of them here, and each is unique in its own way. The most famous are those spanning the two main canals of the city - the Palace and Grand Canals.

Palace Canal

On the Rio di Palazio, as the name of the Palace Canal sounds in Italian, there are only two bridges. Despite its ceremonial name, the Palace Canal is a rather gloomy place, since it originally connected the Doge's Palace with the building of the New Prisons.

The un-Venetian gloomy and joyless panorama of the Palace Canal opens from the bridge called Solomenniy. And this is not at all accidental, because mainly prisoners were transported along this canal, and they had absolutely no need to admire the beauties of the city.
The bridge got its strange name for a white-stone structure thanks to the nearby pier, where ships bringing fresh straw for prisoners moored.
The bridge was built in the middle of the 14th century and served regularly for almost 500 years. The building required restoration only in the 19th century, when it was not only repaired, but also slightly expanded.

The second crossing over the Palace Canal is a very popular among tourists, a small and very high arched bridge with the beautiful name Bridge of Sighs.
Legend has it that lovers who kiss here at sunset will remain faithful to each other forever.
However, the purpose of the bridge was not initially so romantic. For several centuries it connected the Palazzo Ducale, where court hearings usually took place, with the city prison located on the other side of the canal. And the sighs here came not from lovers, but from prisoners passing across the bridge. Many of them saw Venice from the Bridge of Sighs for the last time in their lives.

Grand Canal

A completely different impression is left by the wide Grand Canal, framed by magnificent palaces, which can be crossed on four bridges.

The Academy Bridge will be the first bridge you encounter on the way if you move along the Grand Canal from south to north. It is named after the nearby Galleria dell'Accademia and is intended to connect this art museum with St. Mark's Square.
Despite its proximity to the historical center of Venice, the bridge can be considered a new building. Conceived back in the 15th century, it was built only in the middle of the 19th century, and was originally an openwork steel structure, which, unfortunately, did not last long.
Already in the middle of the 20th century, the Academy Bridge had to be dismantled, and a temporary wooden crossing was erected in its place. But, as you know, there is nothing more eternal than temporary, and the townspeople loved the wooden bridge so much that it was decided to keep it in this form.
Unfortunately, wood is not as durable as steel, and in 1985 the badly dilapidated structure had to be rebuilt again. The modern Academy Bridge remains wooden, and also completely replicates the appearance of its predecessor.

If you move further along the Grand Canal, you will see the most famous Venetian bridge, one of the generally recognized symbols of the city - the Rialto Bridge.
His story was not always happy and cloudless. The first bridge on this site was built in 1181 and was the only crossing over the Grand Canal. At first the bridge was wooden and in 1310, during the popular uprising of Tiepolo, it was burned. A century later, in 1444, the restored Rialto suddenly collapsed on its own, unable to withstand the weight of the crowd admiring the parade of ships. The bridge was restored again, and even modernized, equipped with an adjustable mechanism. But this new wooden structure turned out to be fragile and soon collapsed.
The Doge of Venice ordered not to restore the old bridge, but to build a new one, but from stone. In this regard, a competition was announced throughout Italy for the best project for the future structure. Among the applicants was Michelangelo himself, but the victory was awarded to a certain Antonio de Ponte. It must be said that the choice turned out to be successful, and the architect successfully coped with the task assigned to him.
The Rialto Stone Bridge at that time could be considered a marvel of engineering. Externally, it has the shape of a strongly curved arch, 7 meters high, and its base rests on several thousand piles firmly driven into the bottom of the canal. Right on the bridge, places were initially provided for traders, and now there are a dozen souvenir shops operating here, which never complain about the lack of customers.

The next bridge over the Grand Canal is the Scalzi Bridge, which is popularly called the “Barefoot Bridge”. Perhaps this is due to the many beggars who have long chosen this area, but a more plausible version connects this name with the nearby monastery of the Carmelites, who always preferred to walk barefoot.
The bridge was built in 1856 and has suffered many attacks from critics for its “too modern” appearance. A century later, the authorities finally listened to the murmurs of the townspeople and rebuilt the bridge in the traditional Venetian style, to match the surrounding landscape.

The last bridge along the Grand Canal was the modern Constitution Bridge, opened in our century, in 2008. It is located outside the historical part of the city and provides convenient access to the Santa Lucia train station, the main land gate of Venice.
The construction of the structure was entrusted to the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, famous for his. Like the neighboring Scalzi Bridge, the new bridge was heavily criticized while still under construction. Calatrava was criticized for his choice of location, the excessive “modernity” of the project, and even for the fact that the structure was absolutely not suitable for the movement of wheelchair users. The protests were so persistent that the Venetian authorities were forced to cancel the opening ceremony of the bridge and it passed almost unnoticed by the public.

Thus, the history of the main Venetian bridges is far from romantic. Prisoners were led along them, they were pursued by collapses, and later by popular riots, but all this, thank God, is a thing of the past. Now Venetian bridges are a favorite place for tourists. Guests of Venice never tire of admiring these narrow humpbacked bridges, which are invariably associated with something mysterious and festive, as is the whole city. And it is very good that these illusions are so firmly entrenched in our consciousness. A beautiful fairy tale is always more pleasant than everyday reality.

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, and 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, who 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 by order 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 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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- These are dozens of islands separated by canals. The city is united into a single whole by 400 bridges, each with its own history and its own characteristics. We offer a quick introduction to the most famous Venetian bridges.

Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)

The Bridge of Sighs is a small arched bridge across the Palace Canal. It was built in the 17th century according to the design of the famous architect Antonio Conti. The baroque appearance of the bridge, the lightness and grace of carved decorations made of white marble - all this is associated with secret romantic dates.

However, the bridge did not get its name because of the sighs of lovers. It connects the part of the Doge's Palace in which the trial took place and the prison. On it, criminals sentenced to imprisonment were transported to prison, so that on this bridge they sighed about their lost freedom.

Straw Bridge (Ponte della Paglia)

The Straw Bridge is located on the left side of the Doge's Palace and connects the banks of the Palace Canal. It was erected in 1360 and significantly expanded in the 19th century. The name of the bridge, most likely, as in the case of the Bridge of Sighs, is associated with the prison. Once upon a time, barges were moored next to it, bringing straw for prisoners. Another version says that there was a straw merchant's house nearby.

Academy Bridge (Ponte dell'Accademia)

This bridge is the southernmost of the four that connect the banks of the Grand Canal. It offers wonderful views, so there are always a lot of tourists on the Academy Bridge. The bridge was named after the art museum Galleria dell'Accademia, with which it connects the San Marco district.

The Academy Bridge was erected in 1854 in the form of a steel structure that was fashionable at that time. In the 30s of the last century, the bridge required major repairs. Instead of a steel structure, a wooden bridge was temporarily installed, which the townspeople liked so much that it changed from temporary to permanent. In 1985, the worn-out bridge was replaced with a new one, completely copying the previous one.

Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

This is one of the most recognizable and famous bridges in Venice, and also one of the oldest. For the first time in this place, the banks of the Grand Canal were connected in 1181 by the Ponte della Moneta bridge. In 1250 it was dismantled and replaced by a new wooden bridge, named Rialto in honor of the market of that name located on the eastern bank of the Grand Canal.

In 1551, the architect Antonio de Ponte won the competition to build the new Rialto Bridge. The authorities liked his project due to its convenient single-arch bridge structure. The Rialto Bridge, designed by de Ponte, was completed in 1591 and since then its design and appearance have not changed.

Barefoot Bridge (Ponte degli Scalzi)

The Scalzi Bridge, which connects the areas of Santa Croce and Cannaregio located on opposite banks of the Grand Canal, is often called the Barefoot Bridge. There are two versions explaining this name. One says that the bridge received its second name thanks to the beggars who once lived in large numbers in this area of ​​​​Venice. According to the second, more scientific, the Scalzi Bridge owes its popular name to the nearby Church of the Discalced Carmelite Monks.

Constitution Bridge (Ponte della Costituzione)

The Constitution Bridge is the newest of the bridges across the Grand Canal. It connects Piazzale Roma to Santa Lucia Station.

The bridge, designed by the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, was built in 2008. Due to its modernist appearance, which does not fit well into the overall architectural ensemble of Venice, the Constitution Bridge caused a wave of criticism even at the construction stage. As a result, the authorities abandoned the inauguration of the new bridge, and it was opened without any ceremony.

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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 city's residents, 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.

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 sad 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.

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.

If, standing on the bridge, you turn towards Piazza San Marco, you will see the magnificent façade of a 14th-century Baroque church. The church bears the name of Saint Moses, as does the bridge next to it. The number of stone decorations on the facade of the cathedral cannot be counted or described - this is how the sculptor Enrico Meiring wanted to emphasize the enormous wealth of the Fini family, by whose order the cathedral was rebuilt. If you photograph the cathedral while standing on the bridge, you can capture the entire facade.

On the opposite side of the bridge, Calle Larga XXII Marzo begins. Lovers of quality and fashionable things flock here. The street is filled with boutiques of the world's most famous brands. It can be considered the most popular shopping street in Venice.

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.

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 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 boxes 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.

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.

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. The light, penetrating through the glass surfaces, creates a bizarre glow, turning the bridge into an almost unearthly object.

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: in the center there is a high one, on the sides there are two smaller ones. They divide the water surface into three parts, so only small boats can pass under the bridge. Historians have expressed the opinion that the Three Arches Bridge 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.

Scalzi Bridge

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.