Ponte delle Tette.
Ponte delle Tette. Today, this bridge in Venice symbolizes the flourishing sex trade that existed in the 16th century, Rialto District. This period saw this area in particular, emerge as the epicentre of state regulated and controlled prostitution.
Translating to “Bridge of Breasts,” this small unassuming bridge in the south-east part of the San Polo district, is a compelling reminder of a unique and controversial chapter of Venetian history. It served as a site for sex workers to display themselves, to attract clients; particularly amidst the churches rising concerns about homosexuality. Working ladies confined to that area, were known as “Carampane”, which became synonymous with “prostitute”, in the Venetian language and still is today.
It stands as a historical curiosity, a testament to Venice’s pragmatic and often controversial approach to governance and social issues, and invites contemplation of the intricate interplay between commerce, morality, and human desire, that has shaped the city’s unique character.
Location
Historical and Developmental considerations: 1. The Castelletto 2. The Carampane 3. Further evidence of the sex trade in Venice found today.
Social and Cultural considerations
Benefits to and Restrictions imposed on Prostitutes
Conclusion
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Saint Augustine of Hippo once said that “if you do away with whores, the world will be consumed with lust.”
Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century Italian priest, declared that “if prostitution were to be suppressed, careless lusts would overthrow society.”
He also likened prostitution to the sewer in a palace. “Take away the cesspool and the palace will become an unclean and evil-smelling place”.
Both Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas were grappling with the social realities of their times, attempting to reconcile morality with the need for societal stability. Their views on prostitution reflect a pragmatic approach to controlling human impulses, even if they don’t align with modern ethics.
Ponte delle Tette – Location
Ponte delle Tette (photo above), is a small bridge located along the rather narrow Rio di San Canciano; situated in the south-eastern part of the historic district of San Polo. At its north-eastern end, it opens out into the Grand Canal, at a point almost opposite the famous “Ca d’Oro” palace, and just to the north of the famous Fish Market.
The bridge received its curious name related to the practices of the local prostitutes during the 16th century. Prostitution in Venice was legal and regulated, and during this period, there were laws encouraging these women to attract clients and promote business; by displaying their breasts prominently in windows and also on the bridge itself. At night they were allowed to illuminate themselves using a small lantern. Working ladies confined to that area were known as “Carampane”.
Ponte delle Tette – Historical and Cultural Considerations
This section covers the development of the sex-trade, close to the Rialto market areas of the San Polo district, during the 15th and 16th centuries and the remaining evidence of it found in Venice today. It also details governmental attempts to control and regulate prostitutes during that period, and the significant restrictions imposed on them.
1. The Castelletto
In 1358, the government tasked the “Signori di Notte” (the night watchmen) and the “Capisestieri” (heads of the sestieri) with identifying a location for prostitutes to work discreetly. Two years later, they identified a cluster of residences as appropriate for their objectives; near the now-demolished church of San Matteo, situated close to the Rialto markets. They were said to be owned by the wealthy Venier and Morosini families.
The state chose to regulate, rather than ban, the activities of women. They were protected but controlled and kept out of public sight.
Map above. Carampane and San Matteo on the Lodovico Ughi map of Venice (1739). Yellow dot to the left of the Carampane area encircled, indicates the Ponte delle Tette.
Mechanisms of debt and credit were put in place, which often kept the prostitutes subservient to the brothel-keepers and to their other creditors. The women lived under the protection of six guardians. A matron in each house collected earnings and distributed them monthly. By the evening third bell strike of St Mark’s, they had to shut themselves in. Also, they were not allowed to be seen during various parish festivities.
Already in 1438, the Consiglio Maggiore decreed that officials at Rialto, like at San Marco “cannot receive presents of roses, flowers or indeed any other things or any other gifts from said prostitutes, or from others in their name … that on the day of Christmas that public house shall be closed, like on the Eve of Christmas, and similarly for Easter“.
The “Castelletto”, quickly became a notable aspect of Venetian culture. However, not everybody approved, or wanted any association with it. In 1394, the “Scuola dei Spezieri da Grosso“, merchants of spices, pigments, perfumes and such, requested and obtained permission to move their guild house away from San Matte; because “the area was full of prostitutes and other dishonest people”.
An example of the general hypocrisy of the elite class, was a law in 1489 that banned prostitutes from Calle delle Rasse, near the Palazzo Ducale, and also from all the inns around the Piazza San Marco. The aristocrats who owned some of these inns then complained that their businesses were losing customers. Consequently, the ban was lifted, so the women could return, and the noble landlords continue to profit from their presence!
However, over time (and no doubt due to supply and demand), prostitutes spread their trade throughout the city in various places; often operating close to churches and their squares. They initially favoured a site close-by, where houses were owned by the wealthy Rampane family. Interestingly, around 1490, a certain Sabellico, wrote in his pamphlet “De Situ Urbis“; that a brothel was removed from the Carapane area.
2. The Carampane
In 1491, the Church, angered by this blatant lack of respect, decided once again to contain these ladies to a specific area. The State had inherited houses from the Rampane family – an ancient family whose inheritance line had broken (under Venetian law the property then reverted back to the state). Their main residence was called Ca’ Rampane and hence sex workers that lived in that area were termed “Carampane”.
Courtesy of Google Maps. For many people the best and most interesting way to get there, is to go to the Rialto bridge and up to the Fish Market. Cross the small bridge, onto the Rive dell’ Olio (opposite the Ca d’Oro) and take the first left which is along the Calle dei Botteri. In a few minutes (following the yellow dotted line on the map above), you’re into the Carampane area and up to the Ponte delle Tette. Alternatively, you can go to the “San Silvestro” waterbus stop and walk in a north-east direction.
As far as I can ascertain, the area involved included, the Ponte della Tette and its small fondamente, the Rio Tera delle Carampane, the Calle delle Carampane and the Calle Drio Le Carampane.
The association between the general area of the Rampane properties and legalised, regulated prostitution was such; that the word “Carampane” became synonymous with prostitute in the Venetian language and still is today.
Left. The Rio Tera delle Carampane
3. Further evidence of the sex trade in Venice found today.
Evidence can be found today, by the name of the “Traghetto del Buso” – a crossing point, which ferried clients from the Fondaco dei Tedeschi to the San Polo side of the Grand Canal; in order to enter the “red-light district”. “Buso” translates to a “hole”. However, it may well be named from the fact, that the coin used for payment had a small hole in it.
More evidence of this trade can be found in a small street close to the Ponte delle Tette, running southwards from the bridge and apply named “Rio terà delle Carampane”. What is said to be one of Venice’s finest restaurants can be found – the “Antiche Carapane”, the name translating to “Old Whores”! One might assume that sex obviously gave their clients a good appetite and no doubt the establishment that existed there during that period, was not as sophisticated as it is today.
Antiche Carampane – Rio Terà delle Carampane – Sestiere San Polo 1911 – 30125 Venezia (VE)
Lunch and Dinner – Closed Sunday and Monday.
Ponte delle Tette – Social and Cultural Considerations.
A background crisis. After the 14th century plague, which reportedly killed over half of Italy’s populations, the cities were faced with a population crisis. Adding to this, Italian men seemed uninterested in repopulating the peninsula, struck by a sin that at the time was considered to be worse than death – same-sex attraction. Bernardino of Siena a 15th century preacher, railed that “even the Devil flees in horror at the sight of this sin.”
Italian cities responded by encouraging prostitution – a lesser of two evils. The important role played by the institutionalisation of prostitution was clear in a society, in which money was tied to landed estates and dowries were increasingly inflated. The result was that 51% of males from patrician families in 16th century Venice, did not marry and those that did were around 35 years old.
Also, Venice was a class society with huge differences between the rich and poor. There were few possibilities for upwards social mobility, and for young women from a poor background there were almost none, if not prostitution.
Around the 16th century, the sheer number of women working in this area was significant. Indeed, a census of 1591 estimated that over 11,000 were registered in Venice! Research has suggested that at the time, between one in five to one in ten of the population, was involved in the world’s oldest profession!
Regulation and Control. While prostitution was still considered immoral, it was not a mortal sin or a capital offence. Put simply it was “the lesser of the two evils”
The “Council of Ten” decreed in the 1400s, that to fight the abominable vice of sodomy, two noblemen be elected in each parish, who would meet each week to monitor the situation, and that all doctors and barbers approached for ailments in the “posterior parts” attributable to sodomy; were obliged to report it within three days. The punishment for sodomy was death by hanging between the two columns in Piazza San Marco. Afterwards, the body was burned until only ashes remained.
Venice’s history was that of a sea-faring nation, both for war and for commerce. Journeys by sailed or rowed ships often took a long time, and there were usually only men on board. Taking that into account, it would be somewhat naive to believe the Venetians didn’t have some experiences with sodomy. Yet, it was judged very harshly.
A raft of laws and regulations were passed during the 15th/16th centuries to socially control and restrict the sex trade to certain specific areas in Venice. Taxes raised would also bring economic benefit to the state.
However, as is evident from the repetitious laws and regulations, often the enforcement of the rules failed. Perhaps the basic economic laws of supply and demand prevailed.
Benefits and Restrictions imposed on Prostitutes.
The prostitutes in Venice, both accepted and not accepted by society, lived under many restrictions. However, as is evident from the repetitious laws and regulations, often the enforcement of the rules failed.
These regulations and the subsequent taxes raised, brought significant benefits to the state’s income. Indeed, significant improvements to the Arsenale; were thought to be made possible from this revenue stream.
Improvements were made to sex-workers personal security, the prevention of personal attacks or mis-payment and concerns for public health and the spread of infectious disease.
However. the restrictions imposed on prostitutes were significant:
- They were subject to an evening curfew and breaking the law meant a punishment of 10 lashes.
- They were forbidden to entice clients around Christmas, Easter, or other religious holidays. (punishment of 15 lashes).
- Not allowed into bars or restaurants.
- Only allowed to walk around the city on Saturdays and had to wear a yellow scarf; to differentiate them from unmarried ladies.
By the 17th century, prostitution had spread throughout the city again. The Carampane district was only populated by older women; who were banned from the streets; as the very sight of them had become offensive!
For the younger women, even more regulations and restrictions were imposed, including the law of 13th August 1644:
- Banned them from living on the Grand Canal or whose rental was above 100 ducats.
- Use of a boat with two or more oars to travel. Most Italian cities have a “Corso” in the city centre, where ‘respectable’ families went for a daily stroll, to see and be seen. In Venice, the Corso was made by boat along the Grand Canal!
- Entering a church during religious services or festivities.
- Wearing a white mantle associated with young virgins.
- Wearing gold, jewellery or pearls.
- Just like their pimps, they could not give evidence in criminal trials, nor bring legal action against those who defaulted on payment for their services.
Conclusion.
By the end of the 16th century, the regulation of prostitution began to face increasing criticism and challenges. The moral and religious tides were shifting, and stricter measures were eventually imposed to curb the sex trade.
Despite these efforts, the legacy of the Ponte delle Tette and the Rialto district’s flourishing prostitution trade remains an intriguing chapter in Venetian history.
Today, the Ponte delle Tette stands as a historical curiosity, a testament to Venice’s pragmatic and often controversial approach to governance and social issues. It invites contemplation of the intricate interplay between commerce, morality, and human desire, that has shaped the city’s unique character.
Links (internal-external)
A reality of life in Renaissance Italy, Venice was known throughout Europe and Russia, for its beautiful and exotic prostitutes. One served the working class men and tended to live and operate around the Rialto area; whilst more educated and sophisticated “Courtesans”, offered companionship, entertainment and sexual favours; to the wealthier noble and merchant class. The Venetian authorities legalised prostitution in 1358 and set up the first brothel in the Rialto area, that was highly regulated and controlled by the authorities.Napoleon called Venice, “Europe’s drawing room” and was one of many illustrious visitors to the drawing rooms of this most sensual of cities. Prostitutes and Courtesans
This post is about helping you arrive and get around Venice and about getting to grips with some basic architectural and artistic terminology; to enrich your experience of this wonderful city. In Venice in the old days, the trades or whatever sort of enterprise went on; were generally grouped together in small areas or streets and were generally named in the Venetian dialect. They have conserved their names up to this day. Getting Around – Basic Terminology
This post covers all the main attractions to be found in this fascinating district, starting from the famous Rialto bridge and it’s bustling market areas. San Polo – District and Attractions
Paula C. Clarke – “The Business of Prostitution in Early Renaissance Venice”
Renaissance Quarterly. pp. 419-464 (46 pages) Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2018.
LINK: Vol. 68, No. 2 (Summer 2015),
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