The Rialto Bridge is the oldest, most famous and the loveliest of the big bridges that span the Grand Canal. It was originally made of wood with a centre section that could be removed so sailing ships could traverse the Grand Canal. This was prior to the 16th century when it was rebuilt in stone. The Canal at this point is 28 metres wide and the height of the bridge at its centre is 7.5metres. The two ends sit on 12,000 wooden piles!!!!! There's an 24 shops actually on the bridge. Quite gorgeous.