Ponte della Paglia

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The Ponte della Paglia, which is probably one of the busiest bridges in Venice, was built in stone as early as 1360. Almost five hundred years later, between 1843-4, the width of the bridge was doubled, part of the project to increase the size of the quayside of the Riva Schiavoni. 

On the side of the bridge facing the lagoon there is a capitello (shrine) with the Madonna and Child, dated 1583. The shrine, which is decorated with two tiny carvings of gondolas, is known as the Madonna dei Gondolieri,  for the Traghetto della Paglia was once located nearby. 

The bridge may derive its name from the barges of straw (paglia), which used to be moored here. The Ponte della Paglia was also the place where bodies of drowned people were laid out in order that they might be identified. ​

Shrine of the Madonna dei Gondolieri