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Venice districts guide
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San Marco, Venice heart
Saint Mark's Square is Venice's only square. It consists of an artistic
complex of buildings in different styles that over time have created a
harmonious setting to the square.
The sestiere of Castello
Castello was one of the earliest parts of Venice to be settled (fifth to
sixth centuries). The district takes its name from the castle that stood
there and which provided defence from attacks from the sea. Here is the
ancient Arsenal, that was an essential part of the life of the
repubblica.
The sestiere of Cannaregio
The name has two possible origins: it may derive from Canal regio, i.e.
the main canal for communicating with the mainland or else it may refer
to extensive reed beds found there in the past. The railway station is
named after Santa Lucia because it was built in the area of the church
of Santa Lucia, destroyed following napoleon's edit in 1806. The
building is number 1 of the district.
The sestiere of San Polo
This is the smallest area. In this district it was customary to 'live
over the shop', i.e. dwellings and workplaces were often combined. On
the Rialto and everywhere else we find an old and noble Venetian
vocation: that of good food. the enjoyment of food is honoured here,
even in its most simple and popular forms. All around the area we find
'osterie and bacari', taverns that also provide ready-made dishes
including saòr, bigoi, in salsa, tripe, liver alla veneziana, fish
fries, as well as the typical 'cicheto' (a morsel on a stick).
The sestiere of Santa Croce
It is the north-east of the city and via Piazzale Roma it connects
Venice to the mainland. All this area has been subject to many
demolitions and transformations, starting in 1810 with the demolition of
the church and monastery of of Santa Croce, which gave their name to the
district. The Papadopoli gardens were laid out in the area. The gardens
were designed by Bagnara in the likeness of English gardens. they are
now open to the public but have been completely changed.
The sestiere of Dorsoduro
It extends over the southern part of the city, starting with Punta della
Dogana that juts out into the San Marco basin like the prow of a ship.
The 'dogana da mar' (sea customs house) of the Venetian Republic was
built in the seventeenth century and consists of many warehouses that
are hidden behind the facade.
It ends with the square tower on top of which there are bronze statues
that support the golden ball on which Fortune stands. After the tower,
the Zattere begin: this is a long jetty that goes as far as Santa Marta.
It was built in 1516 to unload the timbre which rafts (zattere) brought
down the rivers from the Cadore area.
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