There is always somethingthings to do in Venice.
Wondering what the best things to do in the lagoon town are?
I'll take you on a tour of the places to see!
Here we go!
Not to be missed in Venice: article summary
- A must in Venice: visit a Ridotto
- Venice's secret gardens
- A must-see in Venice: the Wheel of the Innocents at the Pietà Monastery
- Shopping like a true Venetian
- A must in Venice: visit the Squero di San Trovaso
- The Acqua Alta library
- A must in Venice: visit the Castello district
- Visit the islands of the Venetian lagoon
A must in Venice: visit a Ridotto
Venice is a city full of history and glories dating back to the days when it was known as the Serenissima. The 18th century was Venice's golden age. During this century, casinos were the places most frequented by wealthy Venetians.
These were the city's nightlife hotspots back in the day, where people spent their nights gambling and socializing. Of course, to conceal their identity, almost all regulars wore masks to hide their faces.
Although the Republic of Venice banned the game on moral grounds, this in no way dampened the locals' interest in cards and dice.
Among the many Venetian homes, it is still possible to visit the places where they once stood, such as :
- Casino Sagredo in Santa Sofia
- Casino Venier
- Casino Contarini
- the Casino Zane in the Frari district and many others
Venice's secret gardens
Visiting Venice doesn't have to mean just taking in the traditional sights. San Marcofrom Rialtofrom pont des Soupirs and other famous places, not least because the lagoon city hides some truly mysterious places, such as wonderful gardens hidden from the eyes of inattentive tourists.
In the seventeenth century, the city had about fifty orchards and gardens in the S. Croce district, a good thirty-nine in San Marco, about forty in Cannaregioabout thirty Dorsoduro and S. Polo and around fifty at Castello.
The depopulation of the city over the last century has destroyed many of these green oases, but there are still some of them to be seen. to admire some of them.
So, during your stay, I recommend you visit the Casa Cardinal Piazza Garden, the Casino degli Spiriti Garden, the Ca' Morosini Garden or the Scuola Vecchia della Misericordia Garden.
A must-see in Venice: the Wheel of the Innocents at the Pietà Monastery
One of the few Innocents' Wheels still visible on the Old Continent is located in Calle della Pietà, where the Pietà church and monastery once stood, now part of the Hôtel Métropole.
The door was intended for those mothers who were unable to raise their child and were therefore forced to abandon him or her. Thanks to its mechanism, the wheel made it possible to leave the little one completely anonymous, because once the newborn had been placed in the cradle and the bells rung to notify the nuns of a new arrivalthe mother could leave without being seen by anyone.
Near the wheel, beneath the high relief depicting the Virgin and Child, you'll notice a slot and the inscription "Offrande aux exposés", where donations could be made to help the monastery maintain all the orphans it took in.
Shopping like a true Venetian
During your visit to Venice, drop by the women's prison located on the island of the Giudecca where it's possible to find an area of around six thousand square metres used as a vegetable garden by the nearby Convento delle Convertite. It's also known as the "Garden of Wonders" and is tended by a dozen inmates without the aid of machinery or chemicals.
Since 1997, every Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m.Venetians who know him buy 100 % organic fruit and vegetables from the same garden directly from a stall near the prison.
A must in Venice: visit the Squero di San Trovaso
The squero is the only place where Venetian boats are built or repaired. It's also the only place in town where gondolas are born.
As you'd expect, it's an endangered craft, but the Squero di San Trovaso is one of the oldest buildings in Venice.
Its origins date back to the 17th century. Since then, the Squero has continued to build typical Venetian boats. What makes it curious to visitors is the particular architectural style with which it was built, which bears an impressive resemblance to a mountain house rather than a lagoon building.
Few people know that the Squero was famous for the origins of the workers who worked there. They all hailed from Cadore, the production area for the wood used to build the gondolas.
At the Squero di San Trovaso, you can admire the skill of the craftsmen involved in building the gondolas, which are made entirely by hand to the gondolier's specifications.
The Acqua Alta library
This is one of the most beautiful (and unique) bookshops in the world. The books are arranged inside gondolas and bathtubs for protection against high tides.
Photographed by everyone who passes by its premises because of this characteristic, the Acqua Alta bookshop offers books that are impossible to find, rare editions that are out of print, particularly those dealing with Venetian themes.
The all-book staircase overlooking the tiny inner courtyard is spectacular and well worth seeing. It offers a delightful view of the canals.
A must in Venice: visit the Castello district
It's certainly the most Venetian of all districts. In the past, the Castello district was the pride of the Serenissima Republic.
Don't look for cheap souvenir stores and restaurants. offering fixed-price tourist menus. Here you can discover rarefied atmospheres that will make you appreciate the Venice of yesteryear as you stroll along.
Castello is also home to theArsenalethe space where the boats and ships that the Serenissima would have used to confirm its military and commercial power were built.
Today, the Arsenale is home to the Biennale of Art and Architecture. This is also the site of an interesting naval museum featuring gondolas and ancient Venetian boats. Tip: continue your visit by joining the magnificent Arsenale and Sant'Elena gardens.
Visit the islands of the Venetian lagoon
Finally, you can visit the various islands surrounding Venice. These islands are perfect for spending an evening or morning away from the tourists visiting the old town.
From a tourist point of view, the small islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello are the most interesting. Off the beaten tourist track, these islands offer ancient villages, churches and unusual museums to visit.
To make the most of your vacation, I recommend you visit one of these unusual places in Venice. You'll find wonderful places to visit and avoid the crowds. You'll be able to enjoy a unique and incredible vacation in Venice!
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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