How about a bridge that whispers tales of bare feet and iron giants? We’re standing at the Ponte degli Scalzi. It is one of only four bridges in Venice that bravely span the Grand Canal.
The Ponte degli Scalzi connects Santa Croce and Cannaregio. Look north to Cannaregio to spot the Chiesa degli Scalzi. It is the Church of the Barefoot Monks. You can also see Santa Lucia railway station. The south side is the district of Santa Croce.
The name Scalzi means “barefoot”. This refers to the Discalced Monks. They had a church nearby. Imagine monks crossing here without shoes.
This isn’t the first bridge to stand here. An Austrian iron bridge once occupied this spot. It was replaced in 1934 by the Ponte degli Scalzi we see today. Eugenio Miozzi designed our bridge. It is a beautiful stone arch.
Interestingly, the Ponte degli Scalzi is near the Ponte della Costituzione. The Ponte della Costituzione is also known as the Ponte di Calatrava. It caused quite a stir with its modern design.
The Ponte degli Scalzi is super busy. Many people use it. It is close to the train station and bus station. This makes it a key route. You can catch a vaporetto nearby too. Lines 1, 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, and N serve the stop.
An iron bridge was here in 1858. The Austrian government built it. This was part of connecting Venice to the mainland.
Eugenio Miozzi replaced that old bridge between 1932 and 1934. He used Istrian limestone for the Ponte degli Scalzi. Miozzi also designed the Ponte dell’Accademia. Also he designed the Ponte della Libertà.
The Ponte degli Scalzi construction was fast. It took just 29 months. The foundations used a lot of concrete and steel. The bridge cost 2,550,000 Lire.
Miozzi’s bridges represent a simplified Venetian historicism. This includes the Ponte degli Scalzi. It is also a feature of the bridges over the Rio Nuovo and the Ponte delle Guglie.
Istrian stone is very durable. It needs little maintenance. They say it can last for 500 to 1000 years.
The Ponte degli Scalzi is 55 meters long. Its span is 40.40 meters. It stands 6.75 meters high. The bridge is 7 meters wide. The arch varies in height. It’s 80 cm at the keystone. It’s 1.30 meters at the pillars. The vault is entirely made of Pietra d’Istria. This white limestone is common in Venice. 531 cubic meters of it were used.
The Ponte degli Scalzi may not have the fame of the Rialto or the Bridge of Sighs. Still, it is a vital entry point to Venice. Many wanted a tunnel instead of this bridge. They chose to rebuild a stone bridge. The Canal Grande is about 40 meters wide here. So next time you cross, remember the bare feet and the durable stone. The Ponte degli Scalzi is more than just a bridge. It’s a piece of Venice.