A TOUR TO DISCOVER THE SANTA CROCE DISTRICT

The sestiere of Santa Croce is the only one in the city that has an area, albeit limited, where cars are allowed to circulate, namely Piazzale Roma. This square represents the only meeting point of Venice with the mainland (Mestre) thanks to the Ponte della Libertà bridge.

Santa Croce is directly bordered by the Grand Canal, the sestieri of San Polo and Dorsoduro, and the Lagoon while it is connected to the sestiere of Cannaregio via the Ponte degli Scalzi and the Ponte della Costituzione.

Its name derives from the Church of Santa Croce, a place of worship that was demolished in the first half of the 19th century.

THE SESTIERE.

This sestiere is not as rich in attractions and monuments as the others, and for this very reason it is not a favorite destination for tourists. It can thus represent a very interesting itinerary for those who want to venture out and discover the authentic Venice.

However, in the sestiere there is no shortage of stalls selling souvenirs of the city including typical Venetian masks.

Santa Croce is characterized by being made up of narrow streets interspersed with a few campi and by being the only sestiere in Venice to unite the ancient with the modern, being the area that has undergone the most changes with the construction of the Ponte della Libertà, the Calatrava Bridge, the Maritime Station and the People Mover (a transportation system that connects Tronchetto Island to Piazzale Roma).

This sestiere is also home to two of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal, namely the Calatrava Bridge and the Scalzi Bridge.

Where Is the Santa Croce Sestiere Located?

The Santa Croce sestiere is located right in front of the station, so if you are arriving by train, you only need to cross the Ponte degli Scalzi to get there.

Curiosity Sestiere Santa Croce

In sestiere Santa Croce we find Calle Ca' Zusto, near Riva di Biasio, a narrow thoroughfare only 68 centimeters wide.

Also present is Palazzo Mocenigo whose legend tells of a ghost seeking eternal justice. The spirit is that of Giordano Bruno, the philosopher who was denounced to the Inquisition for heresy by the owner of the palace, Giovanni Mocenigo, and was burned in Rome for that reason. Since that day, his soul has roamed the halls of the Palace.

MONUMENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Although it is not among the richest sestieri of Venice in terms of monuments, Santa croce can still boast of some attractions within it, which are divided between the most famous and well-known ones and those that can be visited with more time available. So let's go over what to visit in the Santa Croce sestiere.

Attractions Not To Be Missed In Santa Croce

Among the calli of the Santa Croce sestiere among the main attractions not to be missed is the Church of San Giacomo dell'Orio, one of the oldest Churches in Venice, rich in paintings inside. The square that surrounds the Church is a gathering place for the inhabitants of Santa Croce, who like to spend time here, between a walk and a stroll.

In this sestiere we can find the headquarters of the Museum of Natural History, in Fontego dei Turchi, the largest medieval palace overlooking the Grand Canal that was built as the private home of the Pesaro family.

Finally, Campo di San Stae is worth a visit, where the Baroque-style Church of San Stae stands, embellished with marble decorations and inside which we find works by Tiepolo.

Finally, among the sestiere's must-see attractions are two beautiful palaces, Palazzo Mocenigo and Ca' Pesaro. The former located in Campo di San Stue houses the Museum and Study Center for the History of Textiles and Costume while the latter is the permanent home of the International Gallery of Modern Art.

For Art Enthusiasts

If your stay in Venice permits, you can also visit the Church of San Nicola di Tolentino, a 16th-century building designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, and Ca' Corner della Regina, a Venetian palace overlooking the Canal Gande. Also in the area are both the Church of San Simeon Grande and the Church of San Simeon Piccolo. The appellations "grande" and "piccolo" are used to distinguish the two churches and refer to the size that the buildings were as soon as they were built, without undergoing the later modifications.

Finally you can visit the Campo San Zuane Degolà with its church, an example of Venetian-Byzantine architecture, and the Church of Santa Maria Mater Domini, the work of architect Jacopo Sansovino.

WHERE TO EAT IN SANTA CROCE

If it is lunch or dinner time and you are within the Santa Croce sestiere, you can go to Osteria Trefanti, whose specialties are fish and seasonal dishes, typical of the local tradition.

Another place to definitely try is Osteria Antico Giardinetto, characterized by a lovely courtyard where you can enjoy fish dishes and Mediterranean and Venetian cuisine outdoors.

Very well known among locals is Osteria La Zucca, which offers alternative dishes including vegetarian proposals, thus giving even those seeking genuine ingredients the chance to choose dishes made with fresh vegetables.

In the Campo di San Giacomo dell'Orio is the Enoteca Al Prosecco, where you can choose from a wide international wine selection andpiatti of Italian and imported cheeses as well as sausage and fresh fish dishes.

Finally for an aperitif or to taste some cicheto drop by "Bacareto da Lele," famous among students and Venetians who love the place for the quality of the appetizers and the great price. At Lele's you will observe the true atmosphere that characterizes the typical Venetian bacaro.

WHERE TO SLEEP.

The sestiere of Santa Croce is ideal for staying as it allows you to relax and rest the best after a tiring day, being away from the tourist flows present in the center. It is ideal for observing the real and authentic Venice. We have also selected for this sestiere the hotels that best meet the needs of tourists, hoping to help you in your choice.