Hidden in Venice: the Secret Gems of the City
Venice is home to:
500 gardens
3000 calli (narrow lanes)
178 canals
438 bridges which connect 124 islands
148 churches 170 bell towers
Just 1 plaza: Piazza San Marco
Just 1 Street: Strada Nova
2 vie only : Via Garibaldi and Via XXII Marzo
Venice is famously know as “The City on Water”. The absence of cars and roads allows visitors to walk quietly and get lost in the labyrinth that is this beautiful city. The whole Team of Palazzo Barocci is happy to accompany you on this journey of scents, language and life in Venice.
Curiosities About Piazza San Marco
The majestic Piazza San Marco, the heart of the city, lounge of the world where you can take a dip in the past by taking a coffee in the ancient luxurious Cafes of the city: Caffè dei Quadri, Florian.
Known throughout the world for its majestic monuments: St. Mark’s Basilica, the imposing Doge’s Palace, the Pier and the Clock Tower rich in history, art and culture, it hides many curiosities, let’s discover them together:
St. Mark’s Bell Tower, completely detached from the Basilica, was begun in 888, and built on several occasions until the 14th century.
It is called by the Venetians “el paron de casa”, because it is the highest of all the Venetian bell towers: 98.60 m.
Many famous people over the centuries went up there: among them Galileo who in 1609 showed the wonders of his telescope to the rulers of the Serenissima.
Turn on events: on July 14, 1902 the bell tower collapsed and fell down. Fortunately, no casualties! Of the 5 bells, only the “Marangona” was found intact among the rubble.
The new bell tower, what we see today, was inaugurated on April 25, 1991, St. Mark’s Day perfectly faithful to the original.
Another beautiful legend that combines art and flavors: do you know why in Venice we say “ombra” (shadow) to indicate the glass of wine?
Because once the wine counter was located right under the bell tower and, to keep the drink cool, it was moved during the day following the shade.
Rialto’s Market
If you want to savor the true popular Venetian atmosphere, you should definitely visit the Rialto Market, one of the oldest markets in Venice; it hosts the traditional fish market and the fruit and vegetable market.
- Fish market: from Tuesday to Saturday, from 7:30 to 12:00.
- Fruit and vegetable market: from Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm.
The Magic Of Balances
The 416 bridges that cross the network of canals in every part of the city are different in type, shape and size: originally all the bridges were built with wooden planks and were flat, to allow the passage of wagons and horses.
Later, they were replaced with those in stone and brick, in the shape of an arch and with steps.
The parapets were added in the mid-1800s, when pedestrian traffic increased, until then the Venetians considered the canals the main road to move around the city.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto bridge is the first stone bridge on the Grand Canal: in the 12th century it was a bridge of boats joined by wooden planks and was called Ponte della Moneta, in memory of the toll that had to be paid (a quarter of a cent) for the ferry when the bridge was not there. Collapsed due to the overflowing crowd admiring the passage of the marchioness of Ferrara in 1444, it was built again in wood, wider, with two rows of shops on either side and a central drawbridge for the passage of sailing boats.
In ‘500 the Senate decided to build it in stone. Many projects were considered for the occasion, including that of Michelangelo and Andrea Da Ponte, who mixed different ideas and proposals, achieving the splendid final result that we can still admire today.
Bridge Of Sighs
The “Bridge of Sighs””, which connects the Doge’s Palace with the Prisoners Palace, was supposed to be used to pass prisoners from prisons to the magistrates’ rooms, where they were tried. The prisoners crossed the bridge to go to face the trial and perhaps the sentence and tradition says that looking beyond the windows, they sighed at the sight of Venice and at the thought of their sad destiny.
Devil Bridge And Nail Bridge
The “Ponte del Diavolo” is an authentically traditional bridge, because it is completely devoid of parapets as were all the bridges in Venice until the mid-1800s. The “Ponte Chiodo” (Nail Bridge) is situated in the Fondamenta of S. Felice in Cannaregio whereas Devil Bridge is located on Torcello Island, in one of the most poetic and characteristic sites of the lagoon.
High Water Bookcase
The “Acqua Alta bookshop” is located in a particular corner of Venice, far from the most obsessive tourist flows, but at the same time close to one of the most beautiful churches in Venice, the Church of Santa Maria Formosa.
It is one of the most original bookstores in the world. Surely the only bookshop where you will find new and used books arranged on shelves made up of boats, gondolas, canoes and tubs. Absolutely not to be missed!
Calle Varisco, the Narrowest Calle In Venice
After admiring the Rialto Bridge and its panorama from above, it is time to venture into the secret area of Venice less frequented by tourists. This is the right Sestiere to get lost among the Calli and go in search of the particularities of the city, difficult but not impossible to find, walk towards the Church of “Santa Maria dei Miracoli” towards “Fondamente Nove”, halfway you will find Calle Varisco. reach the widest point: it is only 50 centimeters!
Rio Tetta, House With 3 Sides Over The Water
From Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo you walk until you reach Rio Santa Marina. At the junction of Rio Santa Marina, in Rio Tetta and Rio di San Giovanni Laterano, you suddenly find yourself in front of a painting.
A wrought iron bridge hides the view of the only house in Venice arranged with 3 sides on the water, whose owners access it only through a gate near the Ponte Tetta.
Scala Del Bovolo And Palazzo Contarini
Its full name is Scala Contarini del Bovolo, and it is the most famous spiral staircase in Venice, adjacent to the building that gives it its name. Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a magnificent example of Venetian Gothic architecture, and is located in the San Marco district. You have to look for it to find it, because it is difficult to pass in front of it as it is a building set in a dead end.
Peggy Guggenheim Museum
In the heart of the Dorsoduro district, one of the most evocative districts where you can admire the “real Venice” full of restaurants, shops, artisan boutiques, you can admire one of the most important European and American art museums of the twentieth century in Italy, the Peggy Collection Guggenheim open every day except Tuesdays from 10:00 to 18:00. Reference point not to be missed for all art lovers.
The best way to end your museum visit and your day? Do not miss the romantic Venetian sunsets at Punta della Dogana, located just 5 ‘walk from the museum, you will not regret it!
Squero di San Trovaso
The Venetian term “Squero” indicates a construction site, it is the place where the shape, body and soul of the gondola, THE characteristic Venetian boat, is born.
The Squero San Travaso dates back to 1600, winning the title of one of the oldest squeri in the city. It was at that time that Venetian shipwrights began to repair and produce gondolas.
The construction site is also characteristic for its particular architecture that recalls mountain houses, a choice that reflects the origin of the workers and the wood used for processing, both originally from Cadore.
The gondolas that sail lightly tell the story of the lagoon, they are built entirely by hand and are different from each other. Each gondolier requires personalized decorative details to make his boat unique.
