Rialto
The Rialto has always been the commercial heart of Venice, so it's hardly surprising that the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built here. This is where you can imagine Shylock bartering his pound of flash. The marble bridge is 48m long and spanning 27.75 m was built in 1588. The neo-Gothic arches of the Pescaria, on one side of the bridge, arenn't that old although the market here is over 700 years old. Today a lot of the market is hidden with stalls selling touristy souvenirs. The city's oldest church, the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, is practically in the middle of the market and according to legend was founded on the same day Venice was born in 421. Avoid eating around the restaurants around Rialto as they tend to try to rip of tourists. If you do carefully read the prices, or stick with the tourist all in menu.
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