Gran Canale - Venice

Gran Canale

The banks of the Grand Canale are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date to 13th to the 18th century and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos. Because most of the city's traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century, the Ponte Rialto. There are currently two more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi and ponte dell' Accdemia

Gran Canale is the largest Venetian roads. This is just one of 177 channels that pass through the town. Its length is about 4 kilometers, it's wide about 30-70 meters and its depth is 4.5 meters. It spreads like a snake, actually reminds me of the River Thames in London. Hm, but that's another story. Mentioning London there's one interesting thing. In 1818th year Lord Byron swam across the whole canal, but then the channel was much cleaner than today.

Ponte Rialto - Venice

Ponte Rialto

Here are some facts about the "life" of this famous bridge:
The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181. The development and importance of the Rialto market increased traffic on the floating bridge, that's why it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. The connection with the market eventually led to a change of name for the bridge. During the first half of the 15th century two rows of shops were built along the sides of the bridge. The rents brought an income to the State Treasury, which helped maintain the bridge. Maintenance was vital for the bridge. It was partly burnt in the 1310. In 1444 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and again in 1524.

The idea of rebuilding the bridge in stone was first proposed in 1503. Several projects were considered over the following decades. In 1551 the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. The present stone bridge was finally completed in 1591. It was made of Istrian stone, its range is 28 meters and height 8 meters.Today it is a very lively place, full of people and small shops.
Crossing this bridge is a unique experience. Crossing this bridge you are crossing over Gran Canale as I told at the beginning.