Ponte della Costituzione / Constitution Bridge (Venice, Italy)
N 45° 26.330 E 012° 19.167
33T E 290351 N 5035196
Ponte della Costituzione (Constitution Bridge or also Ponte di Calatrava), work of Santiago Calatrava, is hi-tech pedestrian bridge in Venice historic centre, but it is also unusual bow-shape stairway made from steel and glass.
Waymark Code: WMJ7KZ
Location: Veneto, Italy
Date Posted: 10/07/2013
Views: 27
Ponte della Costituzione (Constitution Bridge or also Ponte di Calatrava), work of Santiago Calatrava, is hi-tech pedestrian bridge in Venice historic centre, but it is also unusual bow-shape stairway made from steel and glass.
This arch bridge with span 80 m, which was moved into its location in 2007 despite protests of opposition's politicians and Venetians was finished in 2008 and opened to the public on the night of September 11, 2008. In the reality, Ponte della Costituzione is not classical bridge but bow-shape steep stairway. Just the lack of wheelchair access, lack of necessity and its hi-tech steel-glass look were the main reasons of controversy and unpopularity of this project. But in my opinion it is nice piece of modern architecture.
Santiago Calatrava is a world-renowned architect, engineer and sculptor. Already well-known in Europe for his unique design aesthetic, Calatrava is beginning to make a name for himself in the United States. Starting with the Milwaukee Art Museum, he has designed a number of public buildings and bridges in the U.S. in recent years. As both Engineer and Architect, his works take materials like concrete, glass and steel beyond the normal bounds.