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Quarter of Venice
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Castello is one of six sestieri (districts) that make up Venice.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Ponte dei Sospiri
Connecting the Doge's Palace with the prison. Persons convicted in the palace were passing to prison here, seeing the last of Venice before going into the dark prison area with no daylight. You can pass the bridge yourself during a visit to the Doge's Palace or view it from outside from the Ponte della Paglia.
Biennale Gardens, Giardini della Biennale
They are the largest green area in the historic center and are home to the Venice International Art Exhibition. The gardens contain lush vegetation, among which the various twentieth-century architectures of the pavilions are organised, mostly around a central avenue from which smaller paths branch off, characteristic for their shape and each one bearing the name of the nation hosted.
San Zanipolo
A fine, huge Dominican church with the tombs of many Doges. It shares its piazza with the fine Renaissance façade of the Scuola San Marco and an equestrian statue of the mercenary captain Bartolomeo Colleoni (see below).
A church that used to house an orphanage and hospital in the 18th century, it is known among classical music enthusiasts as the church where the Catholic priest and composer Antonio Vivaldi worked for most of his career.
The first church dedicated to "Mary of the Forms" was built on this spot in the VII century, when the Virgin ordered bishop Magnus to erect one, appearing to him as an exceedingly shapely woman. The current building, planned by Codussi, dates from the early XV century.
Venice cathedral up to 1807, when the see was transferred to San Marco.
Religious furniture and objects from now demolished churches and convents, one of the most appealing Romanesque cloisters of Venice.
Naval History Museum
Collection of relics from the Serenissima Republic of Venice, the Italian navy, and the ancient Arsenale shipyards, miniature models, uniforms and stadarts, collection of sea shells. The main building of the Naval Historical Museum (Riva S. Biasio) is closed for renovation works. It's possible to visit the Ships Pavilion in rio della Tana, Castello 2162 (close to the Naval Museum).
Residence-museum of the Querini-Stampa family, library, picture gallery, furniture and household objects from the 16th cent onwards, important paintings by Bellini, Palma, Ricci, Tiepolo and Longhi.
Museo Dipinti Sacri Bizantini (Istituto Ellenico)
Collection of Greek, Cretan and Venetian icons of the 14th to 18th century.
A jewel of Renaissance architecture that was opened as a Venetia civic museum in 2008, collections of paintings, archaeological collection of Greek and Roman artefacts, temporary exhibitions.
Famous painting cycle by Vittore Carpaccio depicting the lives of St.George, Tryphon and Jerome.
Biblioteca ASAC - Archivo Storico Arti Contemporanee della Biennale di Venezia
An annex at the Biennale gardens where the Biennale keeps records related to the Biennale exhibitions and to 20th century art, from 1895 onwards.
Monumento equestre a Bartolomeo Colleoni
The famous condottiere (1395–1475) had a long and remunerative career as captain of a mercenary army fighting for (or against, depending on the pay) the Republic, but died without an heir (8 daughters did not count) and bequeathed most of his significant wealth to Venice - on the condition that the grateful populace erect a monument to him in front of San Marco. The crafty council fulfilled the condition, with one detail - the statue stands in front of Scuola San Marco, the religious confraternity (now city hospital), not the Basilica. They didn't skimp on the sculptor, though, hiring Andrea del Verrocchio, teacher of Leonardo da Vinci. Look for the visual pun on the side of the postament - three inverted-comma-like shapes on the shield, the Colleoni coat of arms, are in fact three pairs of human testicles, or coglioni in Italian.
Venetian painter and official portraitist of the Doges (1439-1507), tomb.
John Cabot
Venetian explorer of North America who worked for the British (c. 1450-c. 1500).
Composer of operas; Italian nationalist and national hero (1813-1901).
German opera composer (1813-1883).
Between 1703 and 1740, Antonio Vivaldi taught the orchestra of the girls in the orphanage here, writing unparalleled music for them. Frequent concerts of his Four Seasons by a Baroque ensemble.
Also sells delicious takeaway pizza by the slice (or slab) at similar prices. They also serve very tasty mini pizzas per kilogram.
A bistro
This small and atmospheric restaurant/pizzeria will absolutely enchant you. Famous for its traditional style pizza and seafood pasta, you will not only get it all at affordable prices (pizza from €7.50, pasta from €10, wine from €5/half litre), but you're also served by a most friendly and hearty staff. They top it off with a free home made digestivo (mostly vodka and lemon) at the end of your meal, just to make 100% sure you'll be coming back for more.
Just behind the Piazza San Marco, this restaurant has a large private courtyard welcoming guests during good season. Seafood courses and Venetian specialities are served by Severino family.
Located between the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. During the summertime there are tables outside when you can easily sit and rest after a day of wandering around this marvelous city. What is more, during the day pasta and other typical dishes are served at a budget price.
One star. Provides a family atmosphere with modern comforts. Quiet hotel with secure courtyard and some rooms with a canal view (for a higher price) overlooking the Isola di San Pietro. Common balcony over the canal. Includes typical Italian breakfast from 08:00-09:30 with coffee or hot chocolate and rolls, croissants, and toast. Easily accessible from the main bus/train station by vaporetto to stop 'S. Pietro' or 'Giardini'. Doors close at 01:00. Pay in cash for a discount.
Housed in a 15th-century building, this quaint hotel has very spacious rooms with high ceilings and is adorned with stylish furniture and fittings. Has a friendly, multilingual staff who are always eager to assist you in planning tours, booking concert tickets, and making restaurant reservations. Rates from €70 per night.
Residence where an atmosphere of charm and comfort defines an ambience of class.
Boutique hotel.
Along a scenic canal close to St. Mark’s Basilica. Decorated and furnished in the traditional Venetian manner, this hotel offers excellent service and rooms for two that start at around €110.
Comfortable hotel in the centre, easy to reach by public transport and 2 minutes on foot to Saint Mark’s Square.
Few steps from Campo ss. Giovanni e Paolo, one of the most spectacular place of Venice. Double rooms are usually around €100-160 depending on season.
An historic building of the 16th century with a large selection of elegant single, double rooms and suites, capable to host up to four people and equipped with the best modern services expected by a three-star guest house.
Small and elegant design hotel in the historic centre, a few steps away from Saint Mark's Square.
Here you can find a special selection of the best Italian food and drinks products. Well known for their amazing single portion Tiramisù. If you don't feel like shopping you can always browse the shop and ask cooking tips and the history of products. They can supply yachts, make exclusive gift packages or hampers for companies, and ship worldwide.
Cozy antiquarian bookshop with many odd and specialized books. The owner is fond of cats, so expect to make new feral friends while you browse the shelves and stacks (or the gondola in the middle of the back room).
By foot
You can enter Castello by 5 bridges from Cannaregio and by 11 bridges from San Marco (not counting the famous Ponte dei Sospiri, the Bridge of Sighs).
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Venezia (VE) · International · VCE
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