Bridges
 The Rialto Bridge | |
| Number | 433 |
|---|---|
| Longest | Ponte della Costituzione |
| Widest | Rialto Bridge |
| Newest | Ponte della Costituzione |
This page is an overview of all the bridges in Venice.
The city of Venice is composed of 126 islands connected by 433 bridges. [1]. These bridges are essential for the unity of the city and play a major role in daily pedestrian traffic.
History
Bridges have served as an important piece of infrastructure throughout the history of Venice and its formation from multiple islands. Before bridges existed in Venice, the numerous islands were separate communities with their own churches, stores, and lifestyles. At this time landowners used planks to cross from one island to the next and charged a small toll to those who wanted to cross over.[2]
Over time the methods of getting from one island to another in Venice have evolved. Initially, a boat known as a traghetto was used to transport people across the natural water ways. [3] As stated above the first bridges were simple wooden planks placed across the smaller canals to enable passage. Eventually permanent bridges began being constructed out of wood. Today masonry bridges make up the majority of bridges seen in Venice, and a few metal bridges have been . These bridges vary in structural design and material composition.
Statistics
- Top ten Oldest Bridges
- Top ten Newest Bridges
- Top ten Longest Bridges
- Top ten Shortest Bridges
Bridges can be separated into private and public bridges. Public bridges are used by tourists and residents of Venice for regular transportation while private bridges are bridges that lead specifically to one or multiple households or business entrances.
Notable Venetian Bridges
There are four bridges over the Grand Canal in Venice: the Rialto, the Accademia, the Ponte degli Scalzi, and the newest, the Ponte della Costituzione.
Some other famous bridges include the Bridge of Sighs, adjacent to the Doge's Palace, and the Ponte della Libertà, which joins the historical center of Venice with the mainland.
Locations
See Also
References
- ↑ The Building Blocks of Venice: Preserving knowledge of a city's infrastructure and maintenance. Worcester Ma. Worcester Polytechnic Institute.2011 [1]
- ↑ Venice (Italy): canal boats and bridges. Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625298/Venice/24379/Canal-boats-and-bridges?anchor=ref388643
- ↑ Venice (Italy): canal boats and bridges. Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625298/Venice/24379/Canal-boats-and-bridges?anchor=ref388643