Description of the attraction
The Bridge of the Constitution is perhaps the youngest bridge in Venice and one of four connecting the banks of the Grand Canal. It was built in 2008 by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and connected the Venice Santa Lucia train station with Piazzale Roma, where the bus station is located. Popularly known as the Calatrava Bridge and the Fourth Bridge, it received its official name in honor of the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Italian Constitution.
The first, preliminary, project for the construction of the fourth bridge over the Grand Canal was approved by the municipality of Venice back in 1999. At the same time, the Spaniard Calatrava was invited to develop it, who provided for the construction of an arched bridge. Part of the structure was created outside Venice and was delivered to the city on special barges. The base of the bridge is made of reinforced concrete blocks, and the steps are made of Istrian stone, typical of Venetian architecture. Glass parapets are crowned with illuminated bronze handrails. The length of the Bridge of the Constitution is almost 80 meters, the width varies from 9.4 to 17.7 meters, and the height of the vault reaches 7 meters.
Even at the construction stage, the bridge caused a wave of popular criticism. First of all, the residents of the city were unhappy with the fact that the new bridge looks too modern and does not fit into the medieval Venetian architectural ensemble. The choice of location also seemed unsuccessful - right next to the Bridge of the Constitution is the Scalzi Bridge, the construction of which at one time also caused a lot of angry responses. Numerous protests and public criticism led the authorities to cancel the inauguration of the bridge - its opening took place without any ceremony.
