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.
