From Wikipedia: "The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice.
The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance.
The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge, so it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. This structure had two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. 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 timber bridge. It was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444, it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed 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. Plans were offered by famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a Classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. Michelangelo also was considered as designer of the bridge.
The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was finally completed in 1591. It is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice." (
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2017 terrorism plot
From the Guardian: "Italian police have arrested four people in Venice after one of them was overheard in an intercepted phone conversation talking about the possibility of placing a bomb under city’s Rialto bridge.
“With all the non-believers there are in Venice, if you put a bomb under the Rialto bridge you’ll immediately earn a place in heaven,” one of the suspects said. It wasn’t clear if the reference was bluster or indicated an imminent threat.
The suspects – three men from Kosovo and an unidentified minor – were also reportedly overheard praising the terrorist attack in London last week and discussing a desire to join jihadis in Syria.
The group had been under surveillance for more than a year. A police statement said they were detained in an overnight sweep after it was established that they had undergone “religious radicalisation”." (
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