Venice Attractions
Rialto Bridge, Venice © Italian Tourist Board
Rialto
The Rialto has long been the commercial core of Venice and is
famed as the place where the first bridge over the Grand Canal was
built. The original wooden bridge collapsed under the strain of the
crowds gathered here to admire a wedding procession. It was
replaced by the sturdier single stone arch design of Antonio da
Ponte, built in 1588. Today the area still resembles the bustling
fruit and vegetable market of former times but is additionally
swamped with tourists and the accoutrements geared towards
them.
