Italy: Rialto Bridge, Venice

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Connecting the sestieri (districts) of San Marco and San Polo, it has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173, and is now a significant tourist attraction in the city. The present stone bridge is a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte. Construction began in 1588 and was completed in 1591. It is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons, and top tourist attractions, in Venice.

(Wikipedia)

July 2016

The Rialto Bridge, after St Mark's Square, is likely Venice's most iconic location. One look at it in a photo or painting announces "Venice". I visited twice - on my first trip to Venice to visit Peter C and his wife and then later on the canal tour with CM and family.

As with anything that people have seen in photos before visiting, sometimes the reality does not match the expectation. For me, the Rialto Bridge was impossibly small. I didn't think it would be gargantuan, but for some reason I expected something larger. Walking across it is not pleasant either because it is burgeoning with visitors and lined with shops selling tourist junk. All the other bridges over the Grand Canal were less substantial and "lighter" in appearance. Although I am certain they all have the same clearance for boats, it almost appears that the Rialto Bridge purposely limits the size of what could pass under.

Not surprisingly, expectations (and prior bombardment with imagery) tainted my experience. Rialto Bridge - check. Venice holds far more impressive landmarks.