The Ponte dell’Accademia in Venice is one of the most famous spots in the city. The so-called Accademia Bridge is a Venetian landmark, and although it can’t compare to the iconic Rialto Bridge, it has a unique story. Known for its wooden construction and crossed by thousands of pedestrians daily, the Ponte dell’ Accademia deserves every traveler’s attention for various reasons.
In this article, you’ll see plenty of photos from (and of) the bridge and read some Ponte dell’Accademia facts to understand its significance better. You’ll also discover famous places you can see close to the Accademia Bridge and when it’s the best time to admire its Grand Canal views.
So, let’s see what makes the Ponte dell’Accademia a famous landmark of Venice.
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Six Ponte dell’Accademia facts
Ponte dell’Accademia is one of the four bridges crossing the Grand Canal
Only four bridges span the Grand Canal, and the Accademia Bridge is one of them. The other three are the Rialto Bridge, the Ponte degli Scalzi, and the somewhat futuristic Ponte della Constituzione, which is also the newest. However, the Ponte dell’Accademia is the southernmost bridge of the S-shaped Grand Canal; the other three occupy the northern areas of the canal.
People once laughed about the Accademia Bridge
Bridges connecting the Sestieri (English: boroughs) of Venice appeared as a historical necessity. As the city began to see an increase in population and importance, the Venetians started to think about improving the quality of life. The very first idea for creating a bridge at the spot where the Accademia lies today belongs to Governor Luca Trum.
In 1488, Trum proposed to the local council a bridge on the spot to connect the canal’s sides. However, the council members rejected his proposal, and according to historians, they even laughed at him. The city wasn’t ready for a bridge, and the Venetians had to wait almost four centuries to see one.
We owe the Ponte dell’Accademia to an Englishman in Venice
The Ponte dell’Accademia was finally erected in 1854. It was the time of significant changes in Europe’s urban planning, and Venice had to follow the trends. An engineer from England, Alfred Neville, was the man who designed the Ponte dell’Accademia. He constructed a 50-meter single-steel bridge connecting the Sestieri of San Marco and Dorsoduro.
The bridge opened to the public on November 20, 1854. However, the Venetians didn’t perceive it very well. There were complaints that the industrial style of the bridge wasn’t a good match with Venice’s architecture, while its height (~4 meters) created problems for the passing boats.
From steel to wood in 1933
The constant complaints and the stability issues the bridge experienced in the early 20th century made the city search for a solution. The best option -to the joy of Venetians- was to demolish the bridge and create a new one. Although the locals pushed for a marble bridge in the style of Rialto, their hopes weren’t validated.
In 1933, Venice got a new bridge, this time made of wood, designed by Eugenio Miozzi. On its inauguration, February 15, 1933, the Ponte dell’Accademia became the longest arched-bridge in Europe overnight.
Steel strikes back in the 80s
Although wood always seems more pleasing to the eye, the truth is that it gets damaged quickly. In the mid-80s, the local authorities again decided to replace the Ponte dell’Accademia. This time, the new designs proposed a combination of steel and wood so the bridge wouldn’t decay rapidly. A bridge made exclusively of wood requires extensive and expensive conservation, and that’s always a drawback.
Although there’s often talk about restoring and refurbishing the wooden bridge, the Ponte dell’ Accademia of the 80s is the one we still see on site today. As for its name, it originates from the iconic Gallerie dell’Accademia museum, located nearby.
Lovers love the Ponte dell’Accademia in Venice
For reasons that often remain unexplained, in recent years, lovers all over the world decided that the Ponte dell’Accademia would make a good homeland for their sentiments. Soon, padlocks appeared on the bridge’s metal rails as a declaration of eternal love. The Venetian authorities didn’t quite enjoy the spectacle and started removing the talismans. Moreover, they decided to discourage visitors and locals from installing new love locks on site.
Whether the removal of padlocks had an impact on the love stories remains out of the scope of this article.
What to see at Ponte dell’Accademia
Apart from offering a great shortcut between San Marco and Dorsoduro, the Accademia Bridge offers some unique sightseeing options to travelers. Within just a few hundred meters, you can see some Venetian landmarks while enjoying the palazzos and the city’s architecture.
So, here are four things to do at Ponte Dell’Accademia in Venice.
Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. That’s one of the most famous locations in town. The Guggenheim Museum hosts the collection of Peggy Guggenheim, and it’s a must for your visit. You will see up-close modern art and enjoy the splendors of one of the most stunning Grand Canal palazzos. To avoid long queues, it’s better to pre-book a ticket. You can purchase your Guggenheim Collection ticket here.
Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia. The museum is an equally important institution and a trademark of Venice’s art life. Its permanent collection is stunning, and it organizes impressive temporary exhibitions. A must-see for art lovers willing to see Venetian art. See the museum’s official website here.
See the Santa Maria della Salute. This stunning minor basilica is visible from most Grand Canal spots. The Santa Maria della Salute church is among the prominent Venetian churches, and a stop there is obligatory. Located in Dorsoduro and near the Guggenheim Museum, the basilica is a true landmark of old times.
Photograph the views. Although Rialto Bridge gets all the attention, it’s the Accademia Bridge that offers the most breathtaking views of Venice. Therefore, you should climb the bridge and photograph both sides of the Canal. Toward the north, you’ll see a turn that leads to the Grand Canal, and that’s great for photographing the palazzos and the traffic. Towards the south, you can have tremendous views of the Venetian lagoon -and on a foggy day, your images will look beautifully nostalgic.
Bonus: Join a Dorsoduro walking tour
To get a better overview of the artistic area of Dorsoduro, I recommend joining a Dorsoduro walking tour. A local guide will show you the quiet yet fascinating area of Dorsoduro and guide you through the city’s past. There are various walking tours to choose from, and you can choose between group and private Dorsoduro walks. The most affordable option is to join a group tour; a private tour is always pricier, but you can also interact more with your guide and choose what to see.
You can find a fantastic shared walk through Dorsoduro here. On the other hand, here’s the best private Dorsoduro tour you can book right now.
Practical info for your Ponte dell’Accademia visit
In the final section of the article, I will share some practical information for your visit to the Ponte dell’Accademia. If you have more questions, feel free to comment below, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Opening hours & admission fees
I added this subsection because there seems to be some misunderstanding. This is a public bridge, and it’s used by locals daily. Therefore, there’s no admission fee. Additionally, the bridge remains open 24/7.
How to reach the Ponte dell’Accademia
It’s just a short walk from the San Marco district to the Accademia Bridge. It’s approximately 1 km (0,62 mi) from the Piazza San Marco bell tower to the bridge, and you won’t need more than 15 minutes to reach it. The somewhat labyrinthine streets of Venice might confuse you and extend walking times, but it deserves to walk the distance. Remember that getting lost in the small alleys is one of the best things to do in Venice.
Alternatively, there’s also a Vaporetto* stop at the Ponte dell’Accademia. Vaporettos No. 1 and No. 2 call every few minutes at the stop, and you can easily reach it while enjoying the Grand Canal views.
*Don’t forget always to have a validated ticket when embarking on a Vaporetto. If you’re traveling to Venice for a couple of days, I recommend buying a Vaporetto pass to travel without worrying about buying a ticket every time. You can purchase a Vaporetto pass here.
When is the best time to visit it?
The best time to visit the Ponte dell’Accademia is shortly before sunset. The views are splendid, and the Grand Canal appears in all its glory. Avoid placing a love lock and prefer to shoot some photos: it’s one of the most photogenic locations in Venice.
Ponte dell’Accademia Venice: Conclusion
Although its looks won’t fascinate you as much as its sibling, Rialto Bridge, the Ponte dell’Accademia is an iconic location. Due to its long history and the breathtaking Grand Canal views, the Accademia is a top Venetian attraction. Apart from easily crossing from the San Marco district to Dorsoduro, climbing the 50 steps to its top and then another 50 to the other side is a true experience.
As you read earlier, besides the significance, there’s also practicality. Located just a kilometer away from Saint Mark’s Square, the Ponte dell’Accademia lies next to various landmarks of Venice: the Santa Maria della Salute, the Guggenheim Collection, and the Gallerie dell’ Accademia. That said, a visit to the bridge will show you another part of Venice and its famous canal, where every palazzo is a story from the past. Visit it either on foot or by Vaporetto and enjoy some of the most spectacular Venice views.
More about Venice: How to book a Venetian gondola, Where to stay in Venice, The ultimate Vaporetto guide, Venice to Murano
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Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos