Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges across the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is also the oldest of them. The Rialto Bridge belongs to the Renaissance style, also known as the "white giant elephant.
The first bridge across the Grand Canal was a floating bridge designed by Nicolò Barattieri in 1181. This bridge is called a coin bridge, probably because the mint is located near the east entrance.
The Rialto market on the east coast gradually developed, and the increase in importance also increased the traffic flow of the pontoon. Therefore, it was converted into a wooden bridge in 1255. The bridge has two inclined decks and is connected at the center of the bridge.
The central part of the bridge can move enough to allow huge ships to pass through. The market near the bridge eventually caused the name of the bridge to change. In the early 15th century, retail stores were established along the two sides of the bridge. Rents increase national revenue, which helps repair bridges.
Wood-built bridges must pay great attention to maintenance work. The revolution led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310 burned part of the bridge. The bridge collapsed in 1444 as a crowd crowded on the bridge to admire the boat parade, and collapsed again in 1524.
The idea of rebuilding with a stone bridge was first proposed in 1503. In the following decades, people have proposed several different plans.
In 1551, the Italian government asked the designer to propose a reconstruction plan for the Rialto Bridge. Several famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Andrea Palladio and Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, have proposed reconstruction plans, but all plans include several classical bridge arch designs, the authorities think it is not suitable for this bridge. Even the great Michelangelo is considered a candidate for bridge designers.
The current single arch stone bridge across the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, was designed by Antonio da Ponte and was completed in 1591. The sloping bridges on both sides are led to the central porch. Because the bridge project was considered too bold this time, architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted it would collapse. The Rialto Bridge later became one of the representatives of Venetian architecture.
Today, shops and stalls flood the sides of the Rialto Bridge, making it a major tourist attraction in Venice.