Vandals have attacked Venice's Constitution Bridge, the newest over the Grand Canal, breaking two glass steps in an apparent attempt to take chunks of the controversial structure away.
The bridge was initially under 24-hour surveillance after its inauguration in September but city police had to stand down because of high costs.
''The steps seem to have been forced with a lever, as if someone wanted to dislodge them,'' said public works councillor Mara Rumiz.
Rumiz said the steps would be replaced by aluminium substitutes for the time being, while replacement glass steps would arrive next week.
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge has been dogged by polemics over cost overruns, stability concerns and lack of disabled access.
Following an inauguration held without fanfare after its critics threatened to disrupt the event, the bridge came under fire again when dozens of tourists wound up in casualty after tripping on the glass and stone steps.
Some of the steps in the sleek 94-metre arc of steel are wider than others to allow people to stop and admire the view, but require them to change their natural walking pace.
In November the bridge fell victim to graffiti artists, who left a 30-cm-long tag in white spray on a steel support.
Calatrava has described the work as his ''most beautiful bridge'' and ''an act of love for Venice and for Italian civilization in general''.
