Symbol of Venice will be closed for reconstruction

The city authorities intend to reconstruct one of the major architectural symbols of Venice - Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. For the last time Rialto was reconstructed more than 30 years ago and since then the increasing army of tourists didn’t add luster to the legendary attraction. Steps of the bridge were cracked and in 2011 one of the supporting pillars fall into the gulf waters.

Venice city administration intends to carry out full reconstruction. According to experts, it will require from 5 to 7 million euros. It is assumed that restoration works will last for 18 months.

The city treasury suffering from the continuing financial crisis intends to find necessary funds. Venice municipality is ready to attract sponsors to restore the architectural artifact.
According to the Italian portal ansa.it, one of the possible investors can be Italian businessman Renzo Rosso - owner of the Diesel fashion brand. However, to date Mr. Rosso hasn’t officially confirmed his participation in the project.

Rialto Bridge is one of four bridges over the Grand Canal in Venice. This is the oldest bridge in Venice built on the site of its wooden predecessor in 1591 under the project of Antonio da Ponte. Due to its architectural design many skeptics prophesied quick destruction of the Rialto Bridge. However, despite the pessimistic forecasts, Rialto survived after four centuries.

Venice is not the only city in Italy, which resort to private capital for restoration of its architectural relics. One of the examples of cooperation between the state and private business is reconstruction of the Roman Coliseum. $25 million for restoring the main attraction of Rome were offered by the owner of the Tod's shoe brand Diego Della Valle. Portal privet-italia.ru has already talked about this initiative before.

Among those who welcomed participation of sponsors in the reconstruction of the Italian monuments is the mayor of Agrigento city on Sicily Marco Zambutto. He proposes to lease the famous Valley of Temples - a monument of ancient art included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Mr. Zambutto intends to carry out reconstruction works for the received money.