Sestiere San Polo

It is the one with the smallest size. A distinguishing feature of this sestiere is the dense coexistence of 'casa e bottega' that is, home and productive place. In San Polo, but not only there, a Venetian vocation of ancient and noble ancestry is marked: that of good food. The taste for food is widespread and honored here, even in its simplest and most popular expressions: here are found many osterie and bacari where it is possible to find the typical dishes of Venetian cuisine and savor the renowned 'cicheti' (appetizers skewered by a toothpick).

Rialto Bridge

This is the oldest bridge connecting the two banks of the Grand Canal. It probably existed since 1172, built of wood. In 1557 the Serenissima announced a competition to remake it in stone.Among the competing architects were Palladio and Sanmicheli. It was entrusted to 'proto' Antonio da Ponte, and in 1591 the bridge was inaugurated.

Palace of the Camerlenghi

These were magistrates in charge of collecting funds for the Republic's finances. The ground floor was reserved for cells for tax evaders. Ruga degli Oresi ('ruga' comes from Rua co meaning street) is the street with still many stores of 'oresi' (goldsmiths).

Church of S.Giacometto

Perhaps the oldest church in Venice. it retains the acroce Grecian architectural plan. Opposite is the Gobbo di Rialto, the work of Pietro del Bando from where the Decrees of the Republic were read. This was the commercial heart of Venice; here merchants gathered for their contracts and here was the Banco Giro, the bank that allowed the circulation of credits, established since the 12th century.The Erbaria, with the Pescaria and Beccaria completed the city's three large markets.

The New Factories

Designed by Sansovino in 1555, they were the seat of the magistracies in charge of trade.

Church of S.Cassiano

Possibly built in the 10th century. Paintings by jacopo Tintoretto and Andrea Schiavone.

Church of S.Aponal

Dates back to the 11th century, built by a family originally from Ravenna. Today it is deconsecrated and closed.

Campo San Polo

Gives its name to the Sestiere, took on its present proportions in 1750 by silting up the S.Antonio canal, and is surrounded by the beautiful elevations of the palaces that border it. Races, bull hunting and masked parties were held here during the carnival.

Church of S.Polo (contraction of S.Paolo)

The present building is the result of various interventions in the 14th and 15th centuries. Paintings by Tintoretto, Palma the Younger and Gia Domenico Tiepolo cn the 14 canvases of the Stations of the Cross.

Goldoni House

15th-century palace.Carlo Goldoni, 18th-century playwright, was probably born here in 1707; today it is Museum of Goldoni's Theater and Memories.

Basilica dei Frari (Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari).

Built in the 14th century by Franciscans who had been settled in Venice since about 1222. Rebuilt in the 15th century, it holds historical memories of the Republic with paintings by the greatest painters, such as Titian and Bellini. Architecturally, it is a mid-15th-century Gothic example. The bell tower is one of the tallest and was begun in 1361.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

It is located in the campo of the same name. It was established in 1478 with intentions of mutual charitable relief. The present building was begun in 1489 and completed in the 16th century by the arhitect Giangiacomo dei Grigi. Famous for the series of paintings by Tintoretto that adorn the halls. Next to the school is the church, also dedicated to S.Rocco, a 16th-century building that was rebuilt by architect Giovanni Scalfurotto in the 1700s.

Great School of St. John the Evangelist

Confraternitaconstituted in 1307. In the 15th century the seat was built, and in 1481 the Lombardi workshop built the imposing Renaissance-style portal. In 1512 Marco Codussi rebuilt the grand interior staircase. Suppressed the school by Napoleonic edicts in 1806, the building was purchased, in 1856, by a number of private individuals and now still has the confraternity rolo.

TO SEE.

between history and legend

Riva dell'Ogio

During the Serenissima there were the largest warehouses of oil destined for both food and llumination ('ogio' dialect term for oil)

Sotoportego del Banco giro

The first public bank originated here

Fondamenta de la Preson

Minor offenses such as outstanding debts were punished here ('preson' dialect term for prison)

Calle dei Boteri

The 'bottai' masters who made oil barrels held in high regard by the doge ('boteri' dialect term for coopers) were based here

Campo de le Beccarie

Numerous butcher shops were based here. Becaria comes from Becco oppero caprone, meat slaughtered and sold here ('becher' dialect term for butcher)

Rio Terà de le Carampane

Category of 'gentle ladies' who populated these quarters since the 1400s

Branch of the Forner

Refers to the legend of the Fornareto, a young baker's boy unjustly accused of murder; probably served as a warning to the dogal jusice for the erroneous execution sentence that occurred from the Fornareto.

Calle dei Saoneri

In Venice in 1500 there were more than 25 soap factories. A business envied by the whole world ('saoneri' dialect term for soap)