History and numbers of the bridges of Venice
When people think about Venice, bridges are some of the first things that come to mind.
That’s why a short and fun article about bridges in Venice is a must, don’t you think?
All the numbers about the bridges in Venice, Italy
There are exactly 391 bridges in Venice, 403 if we include the Giudecca, crossing 150 canals.
These 391 bridges in Venice connect to each other the 116-117 islands the city was built on.
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Bridges in Venice didn't always have the shape you see today. Wonder why?
In the beginning, bridges in Venice were flat and made of wood. That made them easy to cross, especially for horses pulling carriages. Yes, many centuries ago there were horses and carriages in Venice!
It was only around the XVI century, that bridges in Venice started being built with an arch. The majority of them were made of stone.
While flat bridges were a better option for horses and carriages, arched bridges allowed the ever-growing number of boats to easily pass underneath them.
Since maritime commerce was financially far more important in Venice than horses and carriages, the arched design prevailed over flat bridges.
Related: How to create and run the longest-lived form of Government ever: the case of the Republic of Venice
When were the first bridge in Venice built?
The first stone bridge in Venice was built many centuries after the first wooden bridges were erected in the Rialto area in the early 800.
In fact, according to the book Philipicus, the first stone bridge was built on the 10th of June 1337, next to San Barnaba square.
Today, the oldest standing bridge in Venice is said to be the private wooden bridge connecting the Rialto Fish Marker, “Pescaria”, to the “Poste Vecie” restaurant.
If you’re curious about the history of arch bridges, feel free to check out this Wikipedia article
They got a Private bridge
Some people in Venice own a bridge!
Indeed, there are a total of 72 private bridges in Venice.
Those are 72 very lucky people, aren’t they?
How many people in the entire world can claim that they are the owner of a centuries-old bridge? That sure is quite a rare asset!
If you liked this article and want to find out more information and tips to plan your visit to Venice, make sure to check out the following resources:
I'm visiting Venice. Why should I follow your recommendations?
The way you visit Venice has an impact both on the quality of your experience and on Venice itself. Chilling, exploring, shopping, eating and drinking where the locals do, can make a huge impact both on the memories you bring home and on the local economy and community.
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