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Venice Areas and Neighbourhoods
February 13th, 2009 by Sara Dudleymore, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
No city is like Venice!. Water canals, no cars, the sound of water in the quiet city, this place is the most romantic one you will ever see!
1) Piazza San Marco, St Mark’s Square: Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) is the major square of Venice, Italy. It is one of the few lovely spots in Europe where you can hear yourself speak without being overpowered by the traffic noise. The district of San Marco it’s a kind of labyrinth of narrow alleyways and canals.The Piazza originated in the 9th century as a small area in front of the original St Mark’s Basilica. It was enlarged to its present form in 1177.
In the evening St. Marco square takes on a different atmosphere, with cafes orchestras that fill the night air with Jazz/Classical music. Go get a chair, have a cocktail and enjoy the great unique atmosphere that surrounds you. It’s also a popular meeting point for locals and host many of Venice’s festivals. A great popular place in Italy today.
This square was paved in the late 13th century with bricks laid in a herringbone pattern. The light-colored stones were probably used setting up market stalls and organizing frequent ceremonial processions.
2) Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal: This bridge crossing the Grand Canal was constructed in 1181 by Mr.Barattieri. It was called the “Ponte della Moneta” before being replaced 3 more times until the final model we see today and called “Rialto Bridge”. The Rialto Bridge in Venice, designed by Antonio da Ponte and finally completed in 1591, was at that time the only of its kind (made of limestone) to cross the Grand Canal. This is how the Rialto market born…
It became one of the main places for trade (negozio) in the city. The bridge has beaten all odds and has become one of the top attractions of Venice. People gather here to take in the sight of Venice as the sun disappears down into the far distance. From here you’ll see the gondoliers as they make their way slowly down the Grand Canal. It is considered by many to be one of the most lovely sites in the world.
3) Castello Area, Biennial Gardens: The Castello area is the most easterly and largest of the six districts of Venice and one of the oldest areas of the city. The district grew up from the thirteenth century around a naval dockyard. It was later changed by Napoleon to what is now the Biennial Gardens, and still more recently the island of Sant’Elena has been created along with other parts of land drained at other areas of the quarter.
It’s full of fascinating things to see like the “Museo Storico Navale” (Venice’s Arsenal Naval History museum) and the former military shipyard of the Republic at Arsenal. Back in its glory days it was the hearth of the city’s prosperous shipping industry. Visit the Public Gardens, the largest of their kind in Venice.
4) Accademia Area, Museum Gallery: Located on the south bank of the Grand Canal, it gives its name to one of the 3 bridges crossing the canal, the “Accademia Bridge”. This area is best known for its museum gallery of pre-1800s art, famous architects, art paintings and sculptures in Venice, Italy.
Some of Venice’s most respected ancient artists studied here, and this is part of why other finest artists are attracted in Italy to study in this area. The Galleria dell’Accademia contains masterpieces of Venetian paintings and history.
5) Cannaregio Area, First Jewish Ghetto in Venice: This is the neighbourhood of Venice where local people still live in great numbers. It’s the north of Venice and it’s the second largest in population with about 20K people. Canneregio was the main entrance into the city until the a railway to the mainland was built.
Development began in the eleventh century as the area was drained and parallel canals were dredged. It’s the home to the beautiful church of Madonna dell’Orto, Palace of Ca’ d’Oro and Tintoretto’s masterpieces. The Ghetto’s Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico), introduces the history of the first Jewish ghetto in history. Many restaurants offer some of the best cuisine in Venice at reasonable prices.
6) Santa Croce Area, Piazzale Roma: Santa Croce is where Venice’s central bus station and car parks are. This is the only area of Venice in which cars can travel, called “Terra Firma”. The area was once part of the Luprio swamp, but slowly claiming land. This district it’s an extension of San Polo and lies on the opposite side of the Grand Canal towards the main railway station of Venice, Piazzale Roma and it’s the most affected by the opening of the Lagoon Road 1933 due its steady grounds.
A location where you can soak up the authentic Venetian neighbourhood atmosphere and at the same time still be close to the city’s top attractions. It’s a very pleasant area to take an evening stroll! Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio is a lively place full of people and music where sometimes you’ll find couples dancing.
7) Giudecca Island, Exclusive Residential area and Beautiful Gardens: Giudecca Island was once known as the Long Thorn because of its shape. Giudecca was historically an area of big and elegant palaces with lovely gardens, gaining back its once most regarded reputation as an exclusive residential area. It is known for its long dock and its churches, including Il Redentore.
The Island offers some of the most stunning views of the mainland stretching across the 300 meters wide Giudecca Canal where the sun gorgeously sets. The celebration of “Festival of Redeemer” (the end of the plague in 1526), takes place every 3rd weekend of July every year, the Venetians gather a bridge of boats across the Giudecca canal with a display of fireworks. This spectacular sight can be seen from every corner in Venice.
Areas and Neighbourhoods of Rome
January 18th, 2009 by Sara Dudleymore, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Your trip to Italy should be a memorable one and therefore must be programmed carefully. Before booking your flight and accommodation, read and find out more about the areas, famous places or most popular neighbourhoods in Rome.
1)TRASTEVERE: this area has the athmosphere of the middle ages and its built in a dedalus of narrow, curling, irregular streets. At the time when most of this area was built there was little need and space for carriages, it was just a place for poor people to sleep. Trastevere remained like this, a maze of narrow streets, since then.
You will find that Trastevere area is all year round the place where roman nightlife is cool, and it is famous for restaurants, clubs, small theaters and artisans in a picturesque maze of narrow alleyways.
During the evenings, cafe and restaurants tables spill out over to the pavement, one area in particular is around Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. During the morning hours, this friendly neighborhood of antique charm and unique narrow alleyways of Trastevere is better appreciated.
2)THE SPANISH STEPS: in Italian means “Scalinata”. They can be easily found and recognized by a rectangle like shape and an early Baroque water fountain called “La Fontana della Barcaccia” (“Fountain of the Old Boat”), built in 1627-29 at the foot of the stairs.
This is a charming and very rich area, home of the most famous fashion brands (both italians and international). It’s also a meeting point and a top tourist attraction. From aside the square you can go for a romantic or scenic ride in a carriage pulled by a horse around Rome.
3)THE PANTHEON: built by the romans in 27 B.C, once the “Temple of all the gods” (by definition) it was turned into a church in 609. This perfect square rests on a cylinder and it measures 142 ft per 142ft high.
It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world today. When you travel to Rome, The Pantheon is a site you must visit.
There is nothing more relaxing then having your Italian cappuccino, pasta or pizza in one of its many neighbouring restaurants while facing this magnificent wonder of the world. Some of the best souvenir shops and “Gelato” in Rome can be found anywhere in this area.
4)THE COLOSSEUM: for a long time it has been known as the “Flavian Amphitheater”, it has 55k spectators seats. Gladiators and wild animals fights were hosted here, under the emperor eye to entartain the romans.
It was ordered to be built by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD by his son Domitian. Even after its glorious days, today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Rome.
Sometimes, special events are held inside. Today’s stadiums and structures have been inspired by the concepts introduced in the Colosseum’s building structure.
5)THE VATICAN, St. PETER’S CHURCH: since 1377 it became the residence of the Pope. “The Vatican City” is home of the independent state of the Vatican since 1929. A mass from the Pope is held almost each Sunday to the public.
In this occasion the big square in front of st Peter fills with people coming to listen to the inspiring and powering words of the Pope.
It also houses the best antiquity, artifacts, famous paintings and archeological finds in the world. People travel to Rome just to witness this place, it’s really worth it. Even though attracts many tourists, it’s still a calm, settled residential area to come and visit and very central.
6)TREVI FOUNTAIN: is one of the most beautiful and well known tourist attraction in Rome.It’s in the really city center, and it’s the largest standing and most impressive Baroque fountain of Rome, it measures 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide.
Trevi Fountain is so called because of its position which is at the intersection of 3 roads (in italian ‘tre vie’). On the back of fountain there is a building called Palazzo dei Duchi di Polis, it represents a replica of the triumphal arch. As the legend goes if visitor throws a coin into the fountain, he/she will be back in Rome!
7)CAMPO DEI FIORI: fresh goods and vegetable products are sold by standowners are in its famous daily outdoor market during the early morning. This is a charming location and traditional gathering point for both tourists and locals to eat, walk around, and people watching.
Many small boutiques are spread all over Campo dei Fiori and some souvenir shops are very nice. During the whole year you will notice people sit outside, hanging around the square and lots of outdoor Trattorias and espresso bars.
At night is when the area turns into lively and chic, with a very animated atmosphere.In recent years has become more and more a popular tourist attraction.
8)PIAZZA NAVONA: one of the biggest and beautiful squares in Rome. It has an oval structure has it once was the “Stadium of Domitian” and used to be flooded with water for naval battle ships, up to 30k spectator’s seat were available.
Today, you will be astonished by the three magnificent fountains in marble designed by Bernini. An Egyptian Obelisk lies in the middle of the square. The streets surrounding Piazza Navona are full of small shops and fine restaurants.
Epiphany (la “Befana”) is hosted here and from the 8th December until 6th of January Navona square is the host of this event.