The History of Venice

Rialto was the first harbour of Venice and the origin of the city.  The barrels, boxes, spices, wine and oil perfumes which were unloaded on the bank of the Grand Canal were housed in the warehouses called fondaci. 

During the day the goods were sold on the stalls around the church of San Giovanni Elemosinaro. 

The Rialto bridge, painted by Carpaccio was replaced with that planned by Antonio da Ponte, built in stone on a single arch, in the second half of the fifteenth century.