San Polo in Venice offers a long list of attractions and activities that are well worth a visit.
Today, I'm talking about it in a full article.
Here we go!
San Polo in Venice: article summary
- San Polo in Venice: cross the Rialto Bridge
- Take a stroll through the Rialto market
- San Polo in Venice: Discover the Palazzo Camerlenghi
- Relax with a glass of wine at All Arco
- San Polo in Venice: discover Venetian mask boutiques
- Visit historic churches
- San Polo in Venice: relax on Campo San Polo
- Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco
- Try out San Polo's nightlife
San Polo in Venice: cross the Rialto Bridge
The famous Rialto bridge crosses the Grand Canalconnecting the San Polo and San Marco districts. Today, it is one of 4 bridges crossing the Grand Canal. Its construction dates back to 1591 and into the 19th century, it was the town's only stone bridge. As early as the 12th century, there was a series of wooden bridges at the same location. However, for obvious reasons, they never stood the test of time.
Further details on the Rialto Bridge
The name comes from "rivo alto", meaning "high bank". This is the Venice's most popular and photographed bridge. It is 48 meters long, just long enough to cross the canal. However, the it's much wider than most of the city's bridges.
Indeed, it features parallel rows of stores at its center, with a main pedestrian path between them, then space to walk outside along the edge on either side. Views along the canal are fantastic from here.
Take a stroll through the Rialto market
Lively and noisy, every morning the Rialto market fills up with locals buying whatever they need. Boats stop here with the latest catches or fruit and vegetables from the island of Sant'Erasmus.
The San Polo fish market Venice
La Pescheria is, unsurprisingly, a covered fish market. You'll also find fresh seafood. There are many local stores and bars where you can stop for snacks, drinks or coffee.
The main market is open from Monday to Saturday, and the fish market from Tuesday to Saturday. Some stalls are still open late into the day. However, some stalls are still open late into the day, it's more interesting to go in the morning.
San Polo in Venice: Discover the Palazzo Camerlenghi
The prestigious Palazzo Camerlenghi is still home to Venice's financial magistrate, as it has been for centuries. Even more interesting is its impressive marble façade and spectacular wall of windows. It lies on the San Polo side of the Grand Canal and the Volta del Canal, not far from the Rialto bridge.
Relax with a glass of wine at All Arco
Few things are as typically Venetian as drinking wine or a spritz and watching the world go by in one of the city's most traditional bars. With a beautiful location on Calle Arco, it's one of my favorite places to go. as it serves the finest cicchetti (Venetian tapas) in town.
San Polo in Venice: discover Venetian mask boutiques
Venetian masks have played an important role in Venetian traditions and festivals since the 13th century. In those days, the many festivities that took place between Noël and Lent were the only time when the upper and lower classes mingled.
Masks were used to conceal identities and avoid embarrassment the following morning. Today, you'll find a wide variety of traditional Venetian mask stores in San Polo, many of which specialize in those of the Venetian carnival.
Visit historic churches
Like all Venetian neighborhoods, San Polo has its fair share of exceptional churches. Here are a few of the most important.
Church of San Polo
The very church that gave its name to the San Polo district, you won't be surprised to learn that this Gothic church is dedicated to the apostle Paul. There have been churches on the site since the 9th century, but the current version has only existed since the 15th century.
It features a fascinating keel-shaped roof and a multitude of important works of art inside. Jacopo Tintoretto's Last Supper is the centerpiece. However, there are also famous works by Paolo Piazza, Jacopo Guarana, Paolo Veronese, Palma il Giovane, Alessandro Vittoria and Giandemenico Tiepolo .
San Giacomo du Rialto
Dating back to 421 AD, many say it's the oldest church in Venice. This small church, also known as the Chiesa di San Giacometto, is located next to the Rialto markets.
It is designed in a blend of Gothic and Byzantine styles. Directly opposite San Giacomo di Rialto, the Gobbo di Rialto is a place where important city announcements were made.
Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Although relatively indescribable on the outside, Venice's largest church is one of the finest examples of typical Venetian Gothic architecture.
The original church was built in the 14th century, but was almost immediately deemed too small and work began on the present giant. It took over a century to build, and was finally completed in 1492.
The Church of San Polo Venice
The rather plain exterior conceals a truly extravagant interior with 17 exceptional altars, numerous funerary monuments, famous tombs (of many doges, Claudio Monteverde, Titian, Antonio Canova) and many famous works of art, the crown jewel of which is Titian's Assumption of the Virgin.
San Polo in Venice: relax on Campo San Polo
Named after the sestiere of San Polo, this irregularly shaped square is the second largest in Venice after the main square. place Saint-Marc. It's also rather basic, often full of inhabitants, children and dogs. Originally a fruit and vegetable farm, it became a bustling market in the 7th century and, finally, a sports ground in the 16th century.
Today, it's a popular gathering place for Venetian families. The magnificent Palazzo Soranzo straddles the now-filled Rio San Antonio canal. In summer, Campo San Polo hosts an open-air cinema.
Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Tintoretto fans rejoice: here you'll find the world's largest collection of his works. In 1564, he was commissioned to decorate this famous brotherhood, which had been built by Bartolomeo and founded in 1478.
Featuring many of the most famous works created by Tintoretto and his pupils over two decades at the end of the 16th century, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is the Venetian equivalent of the Sistine Chapel.
Try out San Polo's nightlife
San Polo is one of Venice's liveliest neighborhoods, and where most of the city's young people come to party. There are numerous bars to choose from on most high streets. Enough to keep the party going late into the night.
The San Polo district in Venice is a place of culture and festivities. During your stay, I advise you to go there to escape the tourists and enjoy the city. spend some quiet time away from the crowds.
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