The “Ponte delle Guglie” dates back to 1285, although it has undergone many reconstructions since then. The name comes from the four obelisks, called ‘guglie’, placed at the corners of the balustrade. This addition was made in the 19th century, as before then it was referred to as Ponte di Cannaregio, after the canal that flows under it, which connects the Lagoon to the Grand Canal. Initially, like so many bridges in Venice, it was a drawbridge, with no handrails and was made of wood, making it prone to fires, which is why it was eventually rebuilt in stone.
