The third bridge across the Grand Canal counting from San Marco, connecting the San Marco sestiere at Campo Santo Stefano to the Dorsoduro sestiere at the Gallerie dell'Accademia. The current wooden structure, erected in 1933 as a temporary replacement for a deteriorating iron bridge, has remained in place for over 90 years, its intended replacement perpetually deferred by cost, controversy, and a growing affection for its modest timber character amid Venice's more theatrical architecture. The bridge provides one of Venice's most celebrated viewpoints: standing at its apex, the viewer looks eastward down the Grand Canal toward the dome of Santa Maria della Salute framed by palazzo facades on both banks -- a composition that has been painted, photographed, and filmed countless times and constitutes one of the iconic images of European urban scenery. The westward view reveals the curve of the canal toward Ca' Foscari and the Rialto beyond. The wooden construction, using larch timbers, requires periodic renewal of structural elements and has been substantially rebuilt several times while maintaining its external appearance. Debates about replacing it with a permanent stone or steel structure recur periodically, with proposals by architects including Giuseppe Torres, Cino Zucchi, and Santiago Calatrava generating public controversy. Conservation sentiment has thus far preserved the wooden bridge against modernisation. The bridge serves heavy pedestrian traffic connecting the Accademia gallery, the Dorsoduro museum district (Peggy Guggenheim, Ca' Rezzonico), and the Campo Santo Stefano area with its cafes and the church of San Vidal concert venue. The Accademia vaporetto stop on Line 1 is at the bridge's southern foot. Sunset is the optimal time for photography from the bridge, with warm light illuminating the Salute dome.

Type: Golf Course

Address: Grand Canal, Dorsoduro/San Marco, Venice, Italy, 30123

Opening Date: 01/01/1933