After nearly four years since its inauguration, Venice's Ponte della Costituzione is still causing controversy. Designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge was opened to the public in September 2008, connecting the Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia with the Piazzale Roma on the other side of the Grand Canal. Surprisingly, it is only the fourth bridge constructed over Venice's main watercourse, making the city more accessible. Nevertheless, ever since the planning first started, the bridge has been heavily criticised for its aesthetics, cost and functionality.
Commonly known as Ponte di Calatrava, it was the first bridge to be built in Venice in 74 years, after the Ponte degli Scalzi bridge was replaced in 1934. The new construction has lead to a meaningful debate between old and new, and has divided venetian citizens. The shockingly modern and minimalist style of the bridge has been accused of clashing with the Venetian medieval setting, but others believe the city is in need of modernity in order to survive, and have admired it's capacity to embrace change.
Still, the aesthetics of the bridge are not the most castigated issue. The bridge's design has been eagerly criticised for not taking into account the handicapped, undoubtedly Calatrava's greatest mistake. The Commune of Venice have now had to spend an additional 2 million euros in installing a round cabin attached to the bridge, for the sake of the disabled crossing comfortably.
"The bridge was opened to the public in September 2008"
Julia
Webster