Rialto Bridge Restored for First Time Since 1590 in Venice

The Rialto Bridge in Venice, designed by Antonio Da Ponte and completed in 1590, has undergone its first complete restoration since construction. The project was financed by Otb (Only the Brave), the fashion group founded by Renzo Rosso, which won the municipal tender in 2012 and contributed €5 million. The Otb Foundation, active since 2008, also participated. The restored bridge was inaugurated on September 7, 2021, with Italian Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia, Veneto President Luca Zaia, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, actress Cristiana Capotondi as godmother, and a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli. Otb, which owns brands including Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Jil Sander, and Viktor&Rolf, stated the event aimed to share the restored bridge with the city, Europe, and the world as a gesture of gratitude, hope, and rebirth. The work had minimal impact on pedestrian flow and came under budget, allowing Rosso to also restore the pavement of adjacent porticos leading to the Pescheria. The restoration highlights renewed attention from major fashion brands to Venice, which celebrates its 1,600th anniversary this year, following recent shows by Valentino at the Arsenale and Yves Saint Laurent on Certosa Island.