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Venice's newest bridge, completed only in 2008, was designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The final of four bridges to span the Grand Canal, the Calatrava Bridge has been a controversial addition to Venice's architectural landscape because of its modern appearance – built of steel and glass; its cost – approximately 10 million euros; and its necessity. It links the Santa Lucia Rail Station to Piazzale Roma, a bus depot and car park.

The Venetians also called Dinosaur by its similarity to the spine of a giant Jurassic

The fourth bridge over the Grand Canal, “Ponte della Costituzione”, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Italian Constitution, was built over a period of five years (2003 - 2008) after a project of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (94 m. long, 9,38 m. wide in the central part, 7,05 m. maximum height, 420 tons is the weight of the iron structure).

In 1999 Venice municipality asked Calatrava to start working on the project of the bridge, since its conception the bridge has caused many controversies that continue even after the discrete inauguration of the building.

The “Ponte della Costituzione” (Constitution Bridge) should be called the “Dispute bridge”, since public opinion is divided between those who believe in the great value and use of the structure and those who think that it is unnecessary, too expensive and in clear opposition to the architectural characteristics of the historical city.

The construction of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava will connect the Santa Lucia train station with the Piazzale Roma parking, thus uniting the only area of the city accessible by car and tie to the mainland of the lagoon city

Nowadays all major cities worldwide are ready for anything in order to have realized on their territory building signed by famous architects. Most likely the same building by Calatrava in another city would have been accepted with more enthusiasm and less controversies.But this didn’t happen in Venice, as major Massimo Cacciari knows very well. He complains: “self-damage is a typical behaviour of Venice”.

According to the major those who are against the bridge are not able to understand the incredible value of the building, one of the most significant examples of contemporary architecture built in Italy over the last decades. The new building is also important in order to improve Venice’s image. It can demonstrate that the city is open to innovation. Contemporary artistic and architectural experiences should be considered as a chance to evolve, to experience with new languages and styles, and not as a possible crisis

Santiago Calatrava expresses the same concept in a recent article published on El Pais, he wrote: “modernity is important, every artistic age is the development of the previous one, as Baroque for the Renaissance”. In the same article Calatrava states that the bridge tries to combine tradition and innovation, through the juxtaposition of different materials such as stone and copper, referring to the past, and glass (in the parapet and in the stairs) as a reference to the present.

Leaving aside the different opinions that have been expressed over the construction of the bridge, the real hurdle to overcome in order to really appreciate the value and beauty of Calatrava’s bridge is the awful sight at its feet, namely Piazzale Roma square.

The preciousness of the new building is in great contrast with the unadorned and unorganized square. Now more than ever Piazzale Roma can’t afford its look like any other mall’s parking lot. As for the fourth bridge in the Grand Canal the municipality should be bold and implement a new ambitious project able to turn this vital city node in a more functional, welcoming and spectacular place. It is necessary to cover the gap still existing between the architectural quality and beauty of many areas on the historical centre and the unpleasantness of spaces like Piazzale Roma. Seen from this perspective contemporary creation will be able to play a more and more important role in the development of Venice’s historical centre.

The Ponte della Costituzione (English: Constitution Bridge) is the fourth bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, and was moved into place in 2007 (connecting Stazione di Santa Lucia to Piazzale Roma), amid protest by politicians and the general public. The bridge was installed in 2008 and opened to the public on the night of September 11, 2008. The bridge was known as Quarto Ponte sul Canal Grande before the official name was adopted to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Italian constitution in 2008. Tourists and locals in Venice now refer to it as the Calatrava Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Calatrava).

Ponte della Constituzione, better known as Ponte di Calatrava, opened in 2008. The bridge spans across the Grand Canal at its most northerly point, linking Santa Lucia railway station with the car, bus and ferry terminal at Piazzale Roma. From its inception, the project has polarised opinion, with proponents describing the structure both a ‘carpet of light’ and a ‘lobster’ respectively.

Santiago Calatrava’s design investigates rhythm and transparency. The 94 m single span bridge is achieved using a futuristic structure of glass and steel, which rises from 3.45 m to 9.38 m at the centre.  Stairs are made from toughened glass and istria stone. Each ascending tread becomes progressively wider, forming a curve perpendicular to the span direction. Bronze handrails nimbly vault the Grand Canal, whilst glass panels enclose the bridge deck without obstructing views. At night, illumination in the handrail and beneath the decking, turn the structure into a ribbon of light.

Although Calatrava has designed over forty bridges worldwide, he believes this his ‘most beautiful’, declaring it ‘an act of love to Venice and of love to Italian civilisation in general’. Aside from linking two important districts, the bridge forms a symbolic gateway to Venice, where visitors leave behind road traffic and enter the domain of vaporetti, motor boats and the gondola.

The vista South, along the Grand Canal is particularly key to this transition. The architect believes Venetian bridges ‘serve as landmarks, points of definition in an urban fabric that is utterly unique’. Alongside its function, the bridge has acted as a catalyst, regenerating  the canal side. For example, the abutments provide seating and allow access to the new vaporetto landing stages.

As a piece of design, the Ponte di Calatrava both contrasts with and complements its historic context, successfully functioning as the gateway to Venice.

If Venice is just one of the cities on your trip and you insist on traveling around Italy or Europe with bulky luggage, take a small carry-on bag to your hotel in Venice and store your larger suitcase at the Piazzale Roma or Marco Polo Airport.

When you're traveling to Venice, where private transportation is expensive, vaporetto water buses are often jam-packed, and walking usually requires hauling your suitcases over at least a few of the city's 400+ footbridges…..

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Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Cecilia Bartoli - Nicola Porpora - Come nave in mezzo all'onde