Venice, The Rialto Bridge and Markets

A commercial hub of Venice since the 11th century, the Rialto Bridge and markets today are a lively gathering place for locals and tourists alike. One of four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, the Rialto, in one form or another, has been here for the longest, since the 12th century in fact. The current stone bridge, designed by Antonio da Ponte (meaning Anthony of the Bridge) was built between 1588 and 1591, replacing several earlier pontoon bridges and even a wooden bridge that had been damaged by fire. Until 1854, when the Accademia Bridge was built, it was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot. After 400 years, it remains strong and steady standing upon the 12,000 pilings used to support it.

On one side of the bridge are carvings of St. Mark and St. Theodore, patron saints of Venice, and on the other, the Virgin, the Annunciation Angel Gabriel, and in the centre, the Holy Ghost. Legend has it that Venice was founded on March 25th, 421. As March 25th is also the date of the Feast of the Annunciation, the city of Venice is strongly identified with both the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel who appeared to her. The bridge has three walkways with the central one full of shops selling a wide range of goods including jewellry, leather, paper goods and glass. This leads to a central portico, which is also a great place to watch the sunset.

Leaving the bridge, you walk along the Ruga degli Orefici, the goldsmiths’ street, to the Pescharia, or fish market (closed Mondays), selling marvelous fresh fish, crab, shrimp, octopus, oysters; and the Erberia, which offer a colourful abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Local produce arrives at dawn by barge, and since most Venetians like to shop daily, the market, open in the mornings, is always busy.

Depending on the time of year there are apples, bananas, oranges, pears, various kinds of lettuce, cauliflowers, artichokes and fennel; in summer you can find cherries, strawberries, plums, peaches, melons, zucchini, mushrooms, grapes; and in autumn, pears, nuts and figs. In addition, there are cheese vendors, butchers' shops and pasta sellers.

The area is also filled with bacari, wine bars, some of which have been here for centuries, such as Cantina do Mori (Entrance on Calle Galiazza and Calle Do Mori) founded in 1462; and Al Marca (in the Campo Bella Vienna, next to the Erberia). Traditionally, these wine bars were where merchants would stop in their daily tasks to get out of the sun, take some shade, and drink some wine, or an ombra (which means “shade” in Italian).

During the time of the Republic, the Rialto was where bankers and brokers did business, where exotic spices and luxurious fabrics were sold, and where, during the 14th and 15th centuries, pilgrims paused in their journey to the Holy Land, to stay in one of the many inns located in the area. Near the market in the Campo San Giacomo, stands San Giacomo Rialto, the city’s oldest church rumoured to have been consecrated in 421 when Venice was founded.