Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge). Grand Canal. Venice

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Venice is made up of many little islands with canals and waterways separating each island. In order to get across to the next island you either need to take a little boat, Traghetto, Gondola, waterbus, or water taxi. Alternatively, you could cross over one of the many bridges that connect each island. The Rialto bridge is perhaps the most famous of these bridges which spans the Grand Canal that meanders and snakes it's way through the centre of Venice. The grand canal starts off near St Marks Square snaking its way up to the inner lagoon and the station for nearly 2 and a half miles and ranges from 98 feet to nearly 300 feet in width. This is no normal bridge. It is very ornate and one of the most beautiful designed bridges in Venice. The original bridge was made of wood but collapsed. A competition was arranged for someone to design a bridge that would last a long time. It was designed by Antonio de Ponte hence it also being known as Anthony's bridge. Work started on building the bridge in 1588 taking 3 years to build. It is supported by 12,000 wooden pilings. The bridge consists of three sets of steps. One on either side and a central set of steps with shops either side. It is built of white stone which when in the sunshine makes it look like it is built of marble. Many sceptics of the day said it would not stand. How wrong they were. There is a constant stream of traffic going under the bridge and it is usually crowded with people crossing the bridge to reach the market. Surrounding the bridge on the canal are many little restaurants on the edge of the canal which are quite pricey too but slip into the surrounding alleyways and find something cheaper with better food. There are four bridges that cross the grand canal but this is the grandest of them all. Sadly there is quite a bit of graffiti written on the sides of the bridge. Don't you just want to slap the hooligan's who do this sort of thing. There is a water bus stop just beside the bridge so it is quite easy to get to and if coming from the airport on a water bus on one of the routes, you will pass under the bridge. It is beautiful during the day in the brilliant sunshine and at night it is lit up. The photo is of the Rialto Bridge with gondola's and water buses on the grand canal.