Gallerie dell'Accademia
Venice, Italy
Accademia Bridge, Venice
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Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to us, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, 24 hours
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 15 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- View
- The Grand Canal and the Salute dome
- Best time
- Sunset and early morning
- Length
- ≈ 48 m wooden arch
- Time needed
- 10–15 minutes
- Vaporetto
- Accademia, at the bridge
Key facts
1854the first bridge here, made of iron
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English Wikipedia1933replaced by Eugenio Miozzi's wooden bridge
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English Wikipedia1985the wooden bridge was rebuilt to the same design
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English Wikipedia≈ 48 mspan over the Grand Canal
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English Wikipedia4 bridgescross the Grand Canal; the Accademia is nearest the lagoon
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English WikipediaA short history
For centuries the Rialto was the only bridge across the Grand Canal. A second, by the former Santa Maria della Carità monastery — now the Accademia gallery — went up in 1854: an iron bridge by engineer Alfred Neville, which many Venetians found too industrial, with a low span that hindered tall boats.
In 1933 it was replaced by a wooden bridge by engineer Eugenio Miozzi, meant to be temporary until a stone one was designed. But Venetians grew fond of the wooden arch, and it stayed; in 1985 it was rebuilt to the same design with an internal steel structure. It's the nearest of the four Grand Canal bridges to the lagoon.
The view
From the top comes one of Venice's most famous panoramas: eastward the Grand Canal runs to the lagoon between palaces, ending at the white dome and volutes of Santa Maria della Salute — a view painted by Canaletto and Turner and photographed by almost everyone. Westward the canal curves past the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti and Dorsoduro's palaces. Mornings are nearly empty; at sunset, when the dome glows gold, the railings fill up. The bridge itself is a single shallow arch of about 48 m, its wooden deck resting on timber trusses that hide a steel frame, high enough for water buses to pass beneath.
What to see
- The Salute view — the classic eastward panorama.
- Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti — a Gothic Revival palace by the bridge.
- Gallerie dell'Accademia — at the foot on the Dorsoduro side.
- Campo Santo Stefano — a big square on the San Marco side.
- Accademia water-bus stop — lines 1 and 2.
- Sunset — the sun behind you, the Salute golden.
What's nearby
On the Dorsoduro side, right at the foot, is the Gallerie dell'Accademia, with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Salute five minutes away. On the San Marco side the bridge lands on broad Campo Santo Stefano, with cafés and a church, 10 minutes from Piazza San Marco and La Fenice. The steps are steep, so with a buggy or suitcase the water bus is easier.
How to get there
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Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Gallerie dell'Accademia is about 2 min away on foot.
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection is about 5 min away on foot.
- La Fenice is about 8 min away on foot.
More tips
- Vaporetto 1 or 2 to Accademia, at the bridge.
- From Piazza San Marco, 10–12 minutes via Campo Santo Stefano.
- From the Gallerie dell'Accademia, right at the foot.
- From Santa Maria della Salute, 7 minutes' walk.
Is the Accademia Bridge worth it?
Yes — for the view: one of Venice's best free panoramas, and on your way between San Marco and the Dorsoduro museums anyway. Come at sunset for the golden Salute or early morning for a still, empty canal. Kids love watching the boats from above.
Before you go
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Views in Venice: compare and choose
Viewpoints in Venice rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| St Mark's Basilica | 57 | 1 h | Paid | 15 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge of Sighs | 57 | 15 min | Free | 17 min walk |
| Rialto Bridge | 56 | 20 min | Free | 15 min walk |
| Piazza San Marco | 55 | 30 min | Free | 13 min walk |
| Santa Maria della Salute | 51 | 30 min | Free | 8 min walk |
| Grand Canal | 49 | 1 h | Free | 21 min walk |
| St Mark's Campanile | 47 | 30 min | Paid | 14 min walk |
| Accademia Bridgeyou are here | 44 | 15 min | Free | — |
| San Giorgio Maggiore | 43 | 1 h | Free | 22 min walk |
| Burano | 34 | 3 h | Free | 9.1 km |
| Torcello | 30 | 2 h | Free | 10.2 km |
San Marco and La Fenice
Piazza San Marco, La Fenice, the Accademia Bridge and the Gallerie dell'Accademia.
- Piazza San Marco30 min · Free
- 6 min walk from the previous stopLa Fenice45 min · Paid
- 8 min walk from the previous stopAccademia Bridgeyou are here15 min · Free
- 3 min walk from the previous stopGallerie dell'Accademia2 h · Paid
4 places · about 3 h 47 min with walks · 17 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The Salute view faces east.
- Golden dome at sunset.
- Padlocks are banned.
- The Accademia gallery is below.
Questions
Where is the Accademia Bridge?
Across the Grand Canal between Campo Santo Stefano (San Marco) and the Gallerie dell'Accademia (Dorsoduro).
Why is the Accademia Bridge made of wood?
It was built in 1933 as a temporary replacement for an iron bridge; Venetians loved it, and it was rebuilt to the same design in 1985.
What can you see from the bridge?
The Grand Canal running to the lagoon and the white dome of Santa Maria della Salute.
When is the best time to go?
At sunset or early morning.
Can you put a love lock on it?
No — it's banned; locks damage the wooden structure and are cut off.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Ponte dell'Accademia
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