Rialto

Welcome to Rialto, the vibrant heart of Venice and for centuries the commercial and financial engine of the Serenissima Republic. The name 'Rialto' is derived from 'Rivoalto,' meaning high bank, signifying this area's status as…

The Rialto Bridge, or Ponte di Rialto, is perhaps the most recognizable image of Venice. Before the stone structure you see today was built in the late 1500s, the crossing was served by a series of wooden bridges, including a…

Just a short walk from the bridge lies the soul of the Rialto: the Erberia and Pescaria markets. For over a thousand years, this is where Venetians have come to buy their fresh produce and seafood. …

Behind the market stalls stands the small but significant Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, traditionally considered the oldest church in Venice, supposedly founded in 421 CE. Its most striking feature is the large 15th-century…

From the banks of the Rialto, you have the best view of the Grand Canal, the 'High Street' of Venice. This four-kilometer S-shaped waterway was the main artery of the Republic, lined with over 170 palaces belonging to the city's…

To truly experience Rialto, one must venture away from the bridge and into the narrow calli or backstreets. This is where you will find the 'cichetti' shops—Venetian wine bars where locals enjoy small plates of food and a glass…

Standing at the foot of the Rialto Bridge on the San Marco side is the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a massive building that served as the headquarters and warehouse for German merchants in Venice. Built in the 13th century and…

As our exploration of the Rialto concludes, we are left with a profound sense of the district's role as the vital organ of Venice. We have walked across a bridge that is as much a feat of engineering as a work of art, and through…