San Marco is a district of Venice. The area is densely built up and
used to house the government of Venice. Today it is the most touristic
part of the city. It includes the famous Piazza San Marco with the
Basilica of San Marco, the Doge's Palace and the Clock Tower.
Geographic hints
In the northern part it borders with the Cannaregio
district, while in the east with the Castello district.
The San
Marco district has about 4,200 inhabitants and is the smallest of all
the districts.
Background
The San Marco district, formerly
called Rivoalto, is the heart of Venice and also includes the island of
San Giorgio Maggiore.
1 Campo San Bartolomeo — In the centre, the monument to Carlo
Goldoni.
2 Campo San Salvador — crowded transit point on the
Rialto-San Marco route.
3 Piazza San Marco — It is one of the most
important squares in the world for its beauty and architectural
integrity and the largest square in Venice.
4 Le Mercerie — The main
commercial artery of the city.
5 Campo San Maurizio — Connects Piazza
San Marco to Campo Santo Stefano. On it overlooks Palazzo Zaguri
(formerly Pasqualini), from the fourteenth century, home to art
exhibitions.
6 Campo Santo Stefano — One of the liveliest squares in
the city. The church of Santo Stefano, the church of San Vidal, Palazzo
Morosini, Palazzo Loredan and - in the adjacent campiello Pisani - the
Palazzo Pisani overlook it. In the center of the field is the statue of
the scholar Niccolò Tommaseo, by Francesco Barzaghi from 1882.
On boat
1 S. Marco Giardinetti. A B Orange Blue.
2 San Marco
Vallaresso. 1 No
3 Lily. 1 A Orange.
4 St. Samuel. 1 No
5
Sant'Angelo. 1 Orange.
6 Rialto. 1 2 2 / N Orange.
The San Marco district is connected to San Polo with the Rialto Bridge and to Dorsoduro with the Accademia Bridge.
1 Church of San Zulian, Calle Specchieri S. Marco, 615 (Rialto
station). free. 8:30-19:00. Founded in 829, the church got its
appearance during Sansovino's reconstruction, which was financed by Dr.
Tomaso Rangone, who became rich selling syphilis medicines and secrets
on how to live to 100 (he died at 84). The doctor is immortalized in
bronze above the portal holding sarsaparilla—the "miracle cure" of him.
The relief also depicts a map of the world known at the time of his
death. Inside, under the painted ceiling, are the works of Palma il
Giovane and "Dead Christ and Saints" by Veronese.
2
Church of Santo
Stefano, Campo Santo Stefano, ☎ +39 041 5222362. which houses three
paintings by Tintoretto, was built in the 14th century. The Gothic-style
portal of the church is the work of Bartolomeo Bon, while the
characteristic ceiling has a ship's keel structure. It is supported by
engraved beams and columns in Verona marble. It may be worth mentioning
that the apse of the church is also a bridge under which a navigable
stream flows, while the bell tower of the church, particularly tall,
Romanesque with a cell with three arches and surmounted by an octagonal
drum, is characterized by a steep slope.
3 Church of San Salvador
(Church of the Most Holy Savior), Campo San Salvatore (Rialto Station).
Free. Mon-Sat 9:00 - 12:00 and 16:00 - 18:00, Sun 15:00 - 19:00. The
church on this site was consecrated in 1177 by Pope Alexander III
shortly after his reconciliation with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The
current church, however, began to be built in 1508 by the architect
Spavento, after his death the construction was continued by Tullio
Lombardo, Vincenzo Scamozzi and, perhaps, Jacopo Sansovino (the church
was consecrated in 1534). They built a large three-aisled hall in the
shape of a Greek cross with domes through which light enters the
interior. The facade was built in 1663 by Giuseppe Sardi. At the base of
the left column of the facade is set a cannonball, which was used in the
bombardment of the troops of the independent republic proclaimed by
Daniele Manin by the Austrian troops in 1849. The church contains works
by Jacopo Sansovino (Francesco's tomb on the south wall it is decorated
with two sculptures - "Charity" and "Hope") and Titian ("Annunciation"
on the south wall and "Transfiguration" to the left of the high altar).
The main altar from 1290 is in silver, open only two weeks a year
(August 3-15). Next to the church is a former convent which now houses
the office of the telephone company which maintains the Sansovino
structure. San Salvador is the parish church of the Vicariate of San
Marco Castello which supports this structure by Sansovino.
4
Church
of San Bartolomeo. Founded in the 9th century.
5
Church of San Moisè,
Campo San Moisè, 1390/A (San Marco station). The original 8th-century
church was rebuilt in the 10th century, and a brick bell tower with an
arcaded steeple was added to the church in the 14th century. At the
behest of the Fini family, the church was rebuilt in 1682 by Alessandro
Tremignon in the Baroque style. The facade overloaded with sculptures
and ornaments is the work of the sculptor Enrico Meiring and praises the
donors - the Fini family. To the left and to the right are the busts of
the brothers and the family coat of arms in the center of the tympanum.
The original composition was even more pompous, but several sculptural
details were lost over time and in the 19th century it was decided to
lighten the facade, whose state was alarming due to the heavy load, and
some of the decorations and sculptures were deliberately dismantled.
John Ruskin called the Church of San Moise the most uncomfortable
building in Venice. The altarpiece depicts Moses receiving the Ten
Commandments, carved in stone by Heinrich Meiring. The nave of the
church houses the grave of Scottish financier John Lowe, as well as
numerous 17th and 18th century paintings. The chancel contains carved
wooden choir seats dating from the 16th century. In the chapel on the
left are the paintings The Last Supper, attributed to Palma il Giovane,
and The Washing of the Feet by Jacopo Tintoretto. In the 18th century, a
terrible accident occurred in the church: during a thunderstorm,
lightning struck the roof of the church, an electric discharge descended
along a metal cable holding the chandelier above the altar and killed
the priest and his assistant, who were just serve mass at that time. The
chancel contains carved wooden choir seats dating from the 16th century.
In the chapel on the left are the paintings The Last Supper, attributed
to Palma il Giovane, and The Washing of the Feet by Jacopo Tintoretto.
In the 18th century, a terrible accident occurred in the church: during
a thunderstorm, lightning struck the roof of the church, an electric
discharge descended along a metal cable holding the chandelier above the
altar and killed the priest and his assistant, who were just serve mass
at that time. The chancel contains carved wooden choir seats dating from
the 16th century. In the chapel on the left are the paintings The Last
Supper, attributed to Palma il Giovane, and The Washing of the Feet by
Jacopo Tintoretto. In the 18th century, a terrible accident occurred in
the church: during a thunderstorm, lightning struck the roof of the
church, an electric discharge descended along a metal cable holding the
chandelier above the altar and killed the priest and his assistant, who
had just served mass.
6 Church of San Vidal, Campiello S. Vidal, 2862
(Accademia station). €3 / with Chorus Pass - free / concerts - from €30.
09:00-18:00. The church was founded in 1084 by Doge Vitale Falier.
Further restorations took place at the end of the 17th century, as a
monument to Doge Francesco Morosini. The project was commissioned by
Antonio Gaspari, who presented a design very similar to that of the
Romanesque church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale. The facade was built in
1700 by Andrea Tirali and is an evident imitation of Palladio. The
church preserves the altarpiece of San Vitale by Vittore Carpaccio
(1514), the Annunciation by Sebastiano Ricci, the Guardian Angel, Saint
Anthony of Padua and Saint Cajetan of Thiene by Giovanni Battista
Piazzetta. Now the church hosts concerts by the Interpreti Veneziani
chamber music group. It is now a concert hall, hosting classical music
concerts.
7 Church of Santa Maria del Giglio (Santa Maria Zobenigo),
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio (Giglio station). €3, with a free Chorus
Pass. Mon-Sat 10:30-13:30 and 14:30-17:00. Founded in the 9th century,
but almost completely rebuilt in the late 17th century, this church
features a series of six relief maps on its facade depicting Heraklion
and Corfu. Inside there are several masterpieces. Two canvases by
Tintoretto, each depicting two of the four evangelists. They are located
on the sides of the body. There is a small treasure in the Molina
Chapel, although the real pearl of the church is a painting by Peter
Paul Rubens of the bare breasts of the "Madonna and Child with St John".
Admiral Antonio Barbaro ordered Giuseppe Sardi to rebuild the church for
the glory of the Virgin, Venice and, of course, himself: his statue took
priority on the facade.
8 Church of San Beneto. The artist Tiepolo
created the painting "San Francesco di Paolo" (18th century) for the
altar of this church.
9 Church of San Fantin. The famous architects
Scarpanino and Sansovino took part in the construction of this
apparently inconspicuous church. The construction of the building began
in 1507 and ended in 1564. Sansovino built a presbytery in the church,
above which the canopy is supported by four Corinthian columns, and two
pulpits on the sides.
10 Church of San Luca. The painting for the
high altar of the church in the 16th century was painted by Paolo
Veronese.
11 Church of San Samuele. Built in the 12th century, one of
the oldest in Venice.
12 Church of St. Gall.
13
Church of Santa
Croce degli Armeni.
14 Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Corte del Riso o del Bovolo
(vaporetto line 1 or 2 for Rialto), ☎ +39 041 3096605. Adults €7,
reduced €6. Mon-Sun 10am-1.30pm and 2pm -18:00. The palace was built in
1499 for Pietro Contarini. The main feature of the building is an
openwork spiral staircase (architect Giovanni Candi). A stairway leads
to a portico, from which you can enjoy a fascinating panoramic view over
the roofs of the city. A cylindrical tower with a series of spiral
arches, among the most characteristic examples of Venetian architecture
in the period of transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance style.
15 Fontego dei Tedeschi. Similar to the Fondaco dei Turchi, in the 16th
century it was a building used as a home, warehouse and trade for German
merchants. The palace was designed by Girolamo Tedesco. The building has
a large courtyard with beautiful four-story high porches. Previously,
the facade of the building was decorated with frescoes by Giorgione and
Titian, which disappeared in a fire in 1505. Currently, the building
houses the city's post and telegraph office. In early 2012, Benetton
signed an agreement to rebuild the building. The clothing manufacturer
intends to turn it into a shopping mall.
16
Cavalli-Franchetti Palace
(Palazzo Franchetti). Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. This imposing neo-Gothic
building is located at the foot of the Accademia Bridge, which stretches
towards Campo Santo Stefano. The Palazzo was built in 1565, and in the
mid-19th century it was divided as the residence of various famous
Venetian families: Marcello, Hussonita Cavalli. In the 1840s, Archduke
Frederick of Austria reunited the property and initiated an extensive
modernization project aimed at giving the building a distinctive
modernity. Palazzo Franketti is currently used by the Istituto Veneto di
Scienze and has been used for cultural events. In 1999, the institute
founded VIC (Venice Cultural Initiatives), which promotes, organizes and
manages cultural events in the Palazzo.
17
Palazzo Corner Spinelli
(S. Angelo Station). One of the best Renaissance palaces in Venice. It
was built between 1480 and 1500 by the architect Mauro Coducci. The
architectural feature of the building are the double round windows and
the rusty masonry on the first floor. The palace became a prototype for
many city buildings. In 1542 the building was sold to the Corner family.
Under the new owners, the architect Michele Sanmichele completely
redesigned the interiors of the building. The building was owned in the
19th century by the famous Venetian collector Giuseppe Salom, who
gathered in the building a significant collection of paintings by Pietro
Longhi and his contemporaries.
18 Palazzo Barbaro in San Vidal
(Palazzo Barbaro Curtis and Palazzo Barbaro). It was built in the Gothic
style in 1425 by the architect Giovanni Bon. Between the end of the 19th
century and the beginning of the 20th century, many illustrious
personalities went to the ancient palace. Among the guests of the family
of American millionaire Curtis from Boston were Robert Browning, Claude
Monet, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler. And the writer Henry James
wrote his "Aspern Papers" in this house.
19
Palazzo Bembo. The
Palazzo Rosso was built in the 15th century in the Venetian Gothic
style.
20 Palazzo Contarini Fasan (House of Desdemona). The palace
was built in the mid-15th century in the Gothic style by the architect
Luca Rossi. Its middle name is 'House of Desdemona', Desdemona is
believed to have lived here before she met Othello. The building is very
narrow, with three windows, but very beautiful, with pretty openwork
stone balconies. The palace is so small because it was built on the site
of a watchtower, to which a chain was attached in the Middle Ages,
blocking the entrance to the Grand Canal.
21 Contarini Palace of the
Figures. The palace was built in the 16th century and takes its name
from the Lombard style facade with many sculptural and architectural
details.
22 Palazzo Corner della Ca' Granda (Ca' Corner della Ca'
Granda or Ca' Corner). The name translates as "big house". The palace
was built by the architect Sansovino in 1535-1561 for Jacopo Corner,
brother of the Queen of Cyprus Katherine. The lower level is decorated
with rustic stone and is an eye-catcher with three arches. The upper two
levels are decorated with arched windows. Now it houses the Prefecture
of Venice.
23 Ca' del Duca. Ca' del Duca began to be built in the
mid-15th century for the Cornaro family. Soon, presumably in 1461, the
house became the property of the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza.
However, the Venetian authorities formally confiscated the house due to
the gigantic size of the palazzo. But, most likely, it was not without
politics. Therefore, we can see only a part of the 15th century palace,
which was built in the Renaissance style - no one began to dismantle the
ashlar fragment of the facade. Above this 15th-century fragment an
insignificant building was completed in the 19th century.
24
Palazzo
Dolfin Manin (Bank of Italy). Built in the mid-16th century by the
architect Jacopo Sansovino. The palace was ordered by the Venetian
merchant and diplomat J. Dolphin. The palace's full modern name appeared
after the last Doge of Venice, Lodovico Manin, lived in the palace from
1789 to 1797. Today it houses the Bank of Italy.
25
Ca' Farsetti
(Dandolo Farsetti Palace). Palazzo Farsetti was built in the 12th
century for Doge Enrique Dandolo, organizer of the crusade to
Constantinople in 1204. Since 1868 the palace has been the seat of the
municipality.
26 Fonteghetto della Farina (Port Authority). The
two-story building was built at the end of the 15th century in the
Lombard style. From 1756 to 1807 the Academy of Painting and Sculpture
operated there, presided over by Tiepolo. Now and headquarters of the
Port Authority.
27 Ca' Giustinian. The palace was built in the 15th
century in the late Gothic style. Today it houses the residence of the
Venice Biennale.
28 Giustinian Lolin Palace. The palace was built in
the 17th century by the great Venetian architect Baldassare Longena on
the ancient foundations of the 14th century for the Giustiniano Lolin
family. The building is quite traditional for Venice: three levels,
almost symmetrically located windows and columns, obelisks on the roof.
The palace was owned by various families in the 19th century until it
was bought by the Levi family, around which a cultural salon gathered,
which attracted illustrious visitors, including Gabriele D'Annunzio. The
building now houses the Hugo and Olga Levi Foundation, which supports
and develops research in the field of music.
29
Palazzo Grimani. It
was built in the Renaissance period and its current appearance dates
from 1556-1575. It was originally built for Doge Antonio Grimani. After
his death, in 1532-1569, it was subsequently rebuilt by the Doge's
heirs, first Vittore Grimani, Attorney General of the city, then
Giovanni Grimani, Cardinal and Patriarch of Aquileia. Presumably,
Michele Sanmicheli performed the contract for the latter. The palace was
finally completed in 1575 by Giovanni Rusconi. The portal was designed
by Alessandro Vittoria. The palace consists of three parts and a small
courtyard. The facade of the building is decorated with polychrome
marble. The highlight of the interior is the "Sala di Psiche" (Italian
Hall of Psyche), decorated with frescoes by Francesco Menzocchi, Camilo
Mantovano and Francesco Salviati. Taddeo Zuccaro and Giovanni da Udine
also participated in the design of the building.
30
Palazzo Mocenigo Casa Nuova. It was mainly used for receptions (as evidenced by the large
atrium and the monumental staircase). One of the most sumptuous was the
one in honor of Alvise Mocenigo, victorious doge during the battle of
Lepanto. It was built in place of a previous building dating back to the
second half of the 15th century. The reconstruction was not completed by
1579. In 1716 Pisana Cornaro Mocenigo received the King of Poland
Frederick Augustus III with a sumptuous party. The property passed in
1878 to the Robilants by inheritance.
31
Palazzo Mocenigo il Nero.
These are two buildings in the complex, which connect the Ca' Vecchia to
the Ca' Nova. Here, in the 19th century, as the plaque on the facade
reminds us, the English poet Lord Byron stayed and wrote for a few
years. Lord Byron lived there from 1816 to 1819 with 14 servants, 2
monkeys, a fox and 2 dogs.
32 Palazzo Mocenigo Casa Vecchia
(bordering Palazzo Contarini delle Figure). Despite the name of Ca'
Vecchia, it is the most recent of the complex since it was rebuilt on
the basis of the previous medieval building, built in the fifteenth
century. It was the first property of the Mocenigo family in the parish
of San Samuele. This branch of the Mocenigo family, interested in
culture, politics, philosophy and economics, was able to host famous
personalities. Between 1591 and 1592 the philosopher Giordano Bruno
stayed in the building. He was reported to the authorities by the
landlord himself. The renovation was carried out in the 17th century,
more precisely between 1623 and 1625, based on a project by the
architect Francesco Contin. This intervention was not excessively
invasive, and went on to maintain numerous aspects of the previous
building, such as the original plan and some pointed arch windows,
prevalent in the rear and side facades but absent in the main one. Other
prestigious guests in recent times were Thomas Moore and Lord Byron. In
1824 the proprietary branch died out and the residence passed to the
Count of Robilant. Once in precarious conditions, it has been renovated
and divided into several properties. The facade, once yellow, has been
painted and appears white.
33 Palazzo Pisani in Santo Stefano
(Benedetto Marcello Conservatory), Campiello Pisani. The palace began to
be built by Bortola Manopol in 1614 in the Renaissance style. During the
Venetian Republic, the palace was the largest private building in
Venice, second only to the Doge's Palace in size. Today it houses the
Benedetto Marcello Conservatory. The mansion was used as a filming
location at the end of the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.
34
Palazzo Barbaro in Santo Stefano, Campo Santo Stefano. In Baroque style,
it was designed in 1694 by the architect Antonio Gaspari.
35
Ca'
Loredan (Palazzo Corner Piscopia). It was built in the 13th century in
the Byzantine style, rebuilt in the 16th century.
36
Palazzo Querini
Benzon. The palace, built in the 17th century by the Counts of Benzon,
offers a magnificent view of the Rialto Bridge. In the past it was a
famous venue in Venice in the 18th-19th century - it housed the literary
salon of Countess Marina Querini-Benzon. It was often visited by Lord
Byron, the Italian poet Foscolo, Stendhal and others. There are many
legends about the mistress of the palace describing her eccentricity.
They say that, welcoming Napoleon, she danced in Piazza San Marco in an
ancient tunic. Initially, the palace was built in the Gothic style with
one "ceremonial" level, in the 17th century the second level was
completed, and in 1897 another floor was added and the windows of the
second level were enlarged. The entire facade is practically unadorned.
37 House of Roses. During the First World War, the famous Italian writer
and poet of the early twentieth century Gabriele d'Annunzio lived in
this house, as well as the workshop of the famous Italian sculptor
Antonio Canova.
38 Scuola Grande di San Fantin (School of San
Girolamo, Veneto University of Sciences, Letters and Arts), Campo San
Fantin 1897 (Entrance from Calle Verona). Mon-Fri 10:00-12:30,
15:30-19:00. The building, built between 1592 and 1604, originally
housed the Scuola di San Girolamo. The brotherhood accompanied those
sentenced to death on their last journey. After the abolition of the
confraternity in 1806, the Venetian Society of Medicine was based here.
It was soon merged with other scientific bodies into a single company
called Ateneo Veneto. Even today, regular meetings and public talks are
held here. The interior paintings are the work of Tintoretto, Veronese,
Palma il Giovane and other 17th century artists.
39
Great School of
San Teodoro. The construction of the building began in 1579 and ended
only in 1648. San Teodoro was the patron saint of Venice before San
Marco. The School belonged to the guild of merchants and craftsmen.
There is now an exhibition on the ground floor.
40
Palazzo Bellavite (Palazzo Bellavite Baffo)
41 Ca' Faccanon
42
Palazzo Cavalli (Palazzo Corner Martinengo)
43
Palazzo Contarini in San Beneto
44 Palazzo Corner Gheltof
45
Palazzo Curti Valmarana
46
Palazzo D'Anna Viaro Martinengo Volpi di
Misurata (Palazzo Talenti D'Anna Volpi)
47
Palazzo Duodo in Sant'Angelo
48
Palazzo Erizzo Nani Mocenigo
49
Palazzo Falier (Palazzo Falier Canossa)
50
Palazzo Ferro Fini
51
Palazzo Garzoni
52
Gritti Palace (Palazzo Gritti Morosini)
53 Palazzo Loredan
54
Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli
55 Palazzo Malipiero
56
Palazzo Minotto-Barbarigo
57
Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro
58
Palazzo Moro Lin (palace of the thirteen
windows)
59 Palazzo Nervi-Scattolin
60 Casino Venier
61 Palazzo Salvadori Tiepolo, court
of San Cajetan
62 Palazzetto Pisani
63 Palazzo Pisani Gritti
64
School of Santa Maria degli Albanesi
(School of Santa Maria and San Gallo degli Albanesi)
65
School of Santo Stefano, Campiello
Santo Stefano
66 Palazzo Treves de Bonfili
(Palazzo Barozzi Emo Treves de Bonfili)
67
Trevisan Pisani Palace (Somachi Palace)
68
Palazzo Zaguri (Palazzo Pasqualini)
69 Palazzo Grassi (Palazzo Grassi-Stucky), Campo San Samuele. Adults
€18, concessions €15. Mon, Wed-Sun 10am-7pm. Last admission 1 hour
before closing. Museum of Contemporary Art. Temporary exhibitions from
the collection of François Pinault. Exhibitions of different artists
that make this center one of the busiest in the world. The palace was
created in the 18th century by the architect Giorgio Massari, who is
referred to as the last Venetian palace builder. The works began in 1740
or 1748, and were finished in 1758, or more probably in 1772, shortly
before the collapse of the Venetian Republic. In 1883 the palace was
bought and restored by the Fiat car company to host important art
exhibitions. In 2005, the building was rebuilt by architect Tadao Ando.
70 Palazzo Fortuny Museum, San Veneto (Calle della Mandorla, vaporetti
line 1 or 2 for Rialto or S. Angelo), ☏ +39 041 5200995. Adults €12,
reduced €10. Wed-Mon 10am-6pm . An art museum in an old gothic building
with a nice courtyard with a historic staircase. It hosts temporary
exhibitions. The palace was transformed by Mariano Fortuny (1871-1950)
into his atelier, where he devoted himself to photography, drawing,
textiles and painting. The building was donated to the city by Henrietta
Nigrin, Mariano's widow, in 1956. The museum's collection contains an
enormous number of Fortuny's works. The museum is supported by the
Venice Public Museums Foundation (MUVE).
71 Telecom Italia Future
Centre, Campo San Salvador (vaporetto line 1 or 2 for Rialto), ☎ +39 041
5213272. Free. Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00; closed 25 December, 1 January.
Center dedicated to telecommunications technology. The building complex
includes an adjacent church with important works of art, the Refectory
(which is now a conference room), Renaissance cloisters and a small
museum focusing on the evolution of the telephone over the last 100
years.
72 Museo della Musica (Church of San Maurizio), Campo di
S.Marizio (near Campo Santo Stefano, vaporetto line 1 for SM del Giglio
or line 1-2 for Accademia), ☏ +39 041 2719012. Free. Mon-Sun
09:30-19:00. a beautiful church with a collection of musical
instruments, Venetian Baroque paintings. The Interpreti Veneziani,
creators of the Music Museum, also offer concerts in the nearby church
of San Vidal.
73 Rialto Bridge (connecting the San Polo and San Marco districts
across the Grand Canal). The bridge has become one of Venice's most
recognizable icons and has a history spanning over 800 years. The
current Rialto Bridge was built in Istria stone by Antonio da Ponte and
cost 250,000 gold ducats and was completed in 1591 to replace a wooden
bridge that collapsed in 1524, becoming the first stone construction on
the Grand Canal. Decorated with stone reliefs depicting San Marco and
San Teodoro on the north side and the Annunciation on the other, the
bridge crosses the Grand Canal at its narrowest point, connecting the
suburbs of San Polo and San Marco. Interestingly, it was da Ponte's
nephew, Antonio Contino, who designed another famous bridge, the Bridge
of Sighs.
74 Bridge of Sighs. Built in the 17th century in white
Istrian stone, it is the work of the architect Antonio Contin. The
bridge connects the Doge's Palace to the Prisons and was used to
transport inmates from their cells to the courthouse. The prisons were
built in 1589 and can be visited with a guided tour of the Doge's
Palace. The Bridge of Sighs is visible only from the Paglia bridge or
from the Canonica bridge.
75 Academy Bridge. It takes its name from
the Accademia Gallery art museum, which is located in the former convent
and building of the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità. The
bridge connects the Accademia Gallery and the San Marco district. In
1934 the architect Miozzi built this temporary structure to replace the
metal bridge of 1854, strongly criticized for its construction and for
the materials used to make it "too modern", as well as the Ponte degli
Scalzi. A project was developed for a stone bridge, similar in style to
the surrounding buildings, but the Accademia Bridge has retained its
wooden structure to this day. Due to wear and tear in 1985, the bridge
was demolished and replaced with a new one, while retaining the
structure and appearance of its predecessor.
76 Straw Bridge. The
Ponte della Paglia is a bridge in Venice across the Rio di Palazzo near
the Palazzo Ducale connecting the pier of the Piazzetta di San Marco to
the Riva degli Schiavoni. It is one of the bridges that connect the
Sestiere of San Marco and that of Castello.
77 Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Mon-Sun 9:30-12:30 and 14:30-18:30. The cathedral of the Benedictine
monastery was built between 1566 and 1610. The architect is Andrea
Palladio, this is one of the best creations of him. After the master's
death, the temple was completed by his pupil Vincenzo Scamozzi. The
facade is built in an ancient order: columns and a triangular pediment.
In the niches, on either side of the main entrance, are the statues of
San Giorgio and Santo Stefano and the busts of the Doges Memmi and
Dziani. The cathedral has three naves with 6 chapels. There are also two
chapels in the transept. The main altar is the work of the Italian
sculptor Girolamo Campagna and is decorated with the figure of Christ
standing on a ball supported by four evangelists. In 1808, the monastery
located on the island, including the cathedral, was closed by Napoleon
Bonaparte. The buildings were converted into barracks and transformed
beyond recognition. In 1951 the monastery was bought by Count Vittorio
Cini and restored. In the cathedral there are "The Last Supper", "The
Resurrection of Christ with St. Andrew and members of the Morosini
family" and a number of other paintings by Tintoretto. The cathedral
also houses the tombstone of Doge Domenico Michele, built in 1640 by
Balthazar Longena to replace the destroyed one. The bell tower is a
square brick tower. Built in 1791 on the site of the collapse of the
bell tower.
There is an elevator that offers a magnificent panorama
of the lagoon, the city and Piazza San Marco. If you don't have the
opportunity to climb the bell tower, don't be discouraged; the view of
the city from the island embankment is also excellent.
78 Giorgio
Cini Foundation, Island of San Giorgio (vaporetto line 2), ☎ +39 041
2710407. Mon-Fri 09:00-16:30. Multifunctional center in an ancient
Benedictine dormitory, the heart of the Foundation's library complex.
Take a gondola ride (Bacino Orseolo). Boarding point for gondolas.
Shows
1 La Fenice Theater. Opera House, inaugurated in 1792 with
the premiere of Paisiello's opera Agrigente Games. The name reflects the
fact that the theater has twice risen from the ashes like a phoenix –
the first time after the fire of 1774 and the second time after court
battles. It burned again in 1837 and 1996, but was rebuilt each time.
Historic premieres at the Fenice include Verdi's Rigoletto and La
Traviata, Stravinsky's The Adventures of a Rake in the 20th Century
(1951) and Britten's Turn of the Key (1954). In 2003, after 8 years of
restoration, the theater was reopened by La Traviata. One of the most
famous opera houses in the world. The theater's auditorium is considered
one of the most beautiful in the world.
2 Carlo Goldoni permanent
theater of Veneto (Vendramin Theater, also known as San Salvador Theater
or San Luca Theater). It was inaugurated in 1622 and is the oldest still
existing theater in Venice.
3 Teatro San Gallo, Campo San Gallo.
Modest prices
1 Café Alla Città di Torino, Calle Minelli, 1267B.
2 Osteria Enoteca Al Volto, Calle Cavalli 1081 (Rialto Bridge area).
Typical Venetian tavern. Specialties: wine and cicchetti.
3
Rotisserie Gislon, Calle de la Bissa 5424. Famous for its mozzarella in
carrozza.
Average prices
4 Chat Qui Rit, Calle Tron 1131, ☎
+39 041 5229086.
High prices
5 Ristorante La Caravella, Calle
Larga XXII Marzo, 2399, ☎ +39 041 520 8901. Certainly one of the most
renowned restaurants in the city with typical specialties and a vast
selection of Italian wines.
6 Antico Martini, Campiello della Fenice,
S. Marco 2007, ☎ +39 041 5224121.
7 La Caravella, Calle Larga XXII
Marzo 2398, ☎ +39 041 5208901.
8 Do Forni, Calle dei Specchieri, San
Marco 468, ☎ +39 041 0415232148.
Modest prices
San Maurizio Residence, Via Calle Zaguri 2625, ☎ +39
041 5289712, fax: +39 041 5289712.
1 Ai Do Mori, Calle largo S. Marco
658, ☎ +39 041 5204817.
Average prices
Hotel Bartolomeo, San
Marco 5494, ☎ +39 041 5235387, fax: +39 041 5206544.
2 Alcyone Hotel
Venice, Calle dei Fabbri, San Marco, 4712, ☎ +39 041 5212508.
Hotel
All'Angelo San Marco, Calle dell'Angelo 403, tel. +39 041 5209299, fax
+39 041 2743555
Hotel Bel Sito & Berlin San Marco, tel. +39
0415223365, fax +39 041 5204083
Hotel Casanova San Marco 1284, tel.
+39 041 5206855, fax +39 041 5206413
Hotel De L'Alboro San Marco
3894/B, tel. +39 041 5229454, fax +39 041 5228404
Hotel Florence San
Marco 1490, tel. +39 041 5222858, fax +39 041 5202668
Hotel Flora San
Marco 2283/A, tel. +39 041 5205844, fax +39 041 5228217
Hotel Graspo
de Ua Rialto 5094, tel. +39 041 5205644, fax +39 041 5227322
Hotel
Lisbon San Marco 2153, tel. +39 041 5286774, fax +39 041 5207061
Hotel Piccola Fenice San Marco 3614, tel/fax +39 041 5204909
High
prices
Hotel Concordia, Calle Larga S.Marco 367, ☎ +39 041 5206866,
fax: +39 041 5206775.
Duodo Palace Hotel, San Marco 1887, ☎ +39 041
5203329.
Corte di Gabriela (Corte di Gabriela Boutique Hotel), Calle
degli Avvocati 3836 San Marco, 30124 Venice, ☏ +39 041523507, fax:
+390412413339, info@cortedigabriela.com. Check-in: 16.00, check-out:
12.00. Corte di Gabriela is a 4-star boutique hotel in Venice in an
elegant 19th-century building, overlooking the canals of the San Marco
district. It houses a few, precious suites, each with its own
personality. Design and tradition combine in furnishings and fabrics.
Hotel Flora Venice, Calle dei Bergamaschi, 2283 (Zona San Marco), ☎ +39
041 5205844, fax: +39 041 5228217, info@hotelflora.it.
Hotel dei
Dragomanni San Marco 2711, tel. +39 041 2771300, fax +39 041 2778984
Hotel Donà Palace San Marco 391, tel. +39 041 2743511
Hotel La Fenice
et des Artistes San Marco 1936, tel. +39 041 5232333, fax +39 041
5203721
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal San Marco 1332
Hotel Palace
Bonvecchiati Calle dei Fabbri 4680, tel. +39 041 2963111, fax +39 041
5288645
Hotel Palazzo del Giglio Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, San
Marco 2462, tel. +39 041 2719111, fax +39 041 5205158
Hotel Rialto
Riva del Ferro/Rialto Bridge, San Marco 5149, tel. +39 041 5209166, fax
+39 041 5238958
Hotel Saturnia & International San Marco 2398, Via
XXII Marzo, tel. +39 041 5208377, fax +39 041 5207131
Tourist information (Venezia Unica IAT Piazza San Marco), Piazza S. Marco 71/b
The San Marco district is bordered to the north by the Grand Canal;
to the south, where the Piazza overlooks the Venice Lagoon from the San
Marco basin; to the west by the Rio di Palazzo; to the east by the Rio
di San Giuliano.
The district borders to the north with the
Cannaregio district and to the east with the Castello district while it
connects to the San Polo district via the Rialto Bridge and to that of
Dorsoduro via the Accademia Bridge.
From an administrative point
of view, the San Marco district also includes the island of San Giorgio
Maggiore.
The San Marco district, originally called Rivoalto from which also
the name Rialto, is the original nucleus of the city. In fact, in its
first centuries of life the city of Venice was called Civitas Rivoalti
precisely in reference to the islands on which it was founded.
The heart of the district is made up of Piazza San Marco, which for
almost a millennium was the political and judicial center of the
Republic of Venice.
The square was built and developed on the
area occupied by the ancient vegetable gardens (Brolo) tended by the
nuns of the nearby convent of San Zaccaria, around the two churches
originally present in this area, the church of San Teodoro (first patron
saint of Venice), later demolished to make way for the Basilica of San
Marco and the first church of San Geminiano, originally located
approximately halfway along the current square, in front of the
Basilica. With the enlargement of the square, the Church of San
Geminiano was then rebuilt at the height of the current Napoleonic Wing,
now part of the Correr Museum, to build which the church was demolished
in 1807 on Napoleon's orders.
In the year 828 the fishermen Buono
da Malamocco and Rustego da Torcello stole the body of St. Mark the
Evangelist from Alexandria in Egypt and brought it to Venice, where it
is still kept in the Basilica dedicated to him. Since then the saint
became the patron saint of the city and gave his name to the square.
The statues on the columns of San Marco and San Todaro both
commemorate the patron saints of the city.