Everything cruise passengers need to know about the squares, streets, monuments and historical landmarks in Venice: reviews, photos and practical info.
Venice has wonderful Landmarks the cruise traveler should not miss such as the wonderful Canal Grande, the Teatro La Fenice, the Ghetto with the Jewish Museum, the waterfront promenade know as Riva degli Schiavoni, the Arsenale, and off the beaten track sites such as the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, the Zattere or the Squero di San Trovaso.
Canal Grande
(The Grand Canal)
Photo © IQCruising.com
When visiting Venice you will no doubt journey down the Canal Grand, the prime waterway of Venice, and in this city of water “roadways” this is considered by many to be the most beautiful. While cruising this canal you will enjoy the opportunity of Venice’s most stunning and beautiful buildings, including churches and palaces lining it. You can enjoy this pleasure in one of the many water-buses, called 'Vaporetto', or in the more tourist popular private water taxis or gondola being serenaded as you slowly make your way.
Canal Grande, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
Teatro La Fenice
(La Fenice Theatre)
Gran Teatro La Fenice, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
This is one of the oldest and most famous opera houses in Europe, dating back to the late 1790’s, and one that has been the location of many premiers. This opera house even today remains one of Venice’s most popular for music, ballet and the opera. It has also had it’s place in history with the local fire department, having recently in 1996, literally burnt to the ground deliberately by some scoundrel. It opened again after much fanfare, and a lengthy and complicated reconstruction period, in 2004, and again houses it’s famous operas. Guide Tours of the Theatre are a must do for cruise travelers that enjoy all things lyrical.
Where: Campo San Fantin - west of Piazza San Marco
Phone: +39 041 786511
Open: Hours vary monthly - advisable to check website for Tours.
Entrance: € 10.00
Website: Official Site
Il Ghetto
(Museo Ebraico &Jewish Ghetto)
Ghetto Nuevo, Venice
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History and the term “Ghetto” was born here in Venice in this quiet neighborhood, where the Jewish community was home to hundreds of the Jewish race. They were isolated in this remote northwestern section of Venice, totally surrounded by water, with two guarded access points in early morning and at night. Christian guards, paid for by the Jewish community, in fact guarded these gates. The term Ghetto actually is derived from a Venetian word connected to the metal casting industry. In fact the Ghetto was actually built on the site of a foundry. Visiting today, are the German, Spanish and Canton Synagogue’s, with the Spanish being the largest and most famous. The Jewish Museum is small but contains some precious historical items. There is also a Holocaust Memorial representing the brutality Jews endured during WW2.
Where: Cannaregio
Phone: +39 041 715359
Open: 10:00 am to 7: 00pm | Closed on Saturdays.
Entrance: € 10.00
Website: Official Site
Ghetto Nuovo, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
The Palaces
Ca' D' Oro, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
As the cruise traveler walks around Venice, you will see magnificent palaces dating as far back as the 14th Century that are striking in their beauty. Many of these palaces have been converted into Museums, like the Ca' D'Oro or the Ca’ Rezzonico.
The Squares
Il Campo
Campo Di San Stefano, Venice
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Besides the most famous square in Venice - Piazza San Marco - the cruise traveler will pass by many wonderful squares known in Venice as 'Campo'. Some are small and secluded like Campo San Toma, other are large and with unusual shapes like Campo Santa Margarita, but all are wonderful places to stop for a rest or even lunch al fresco.
Campo Santa Margarita, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
Riva degli Schiavoni
(Waterfront Promenade)
Riva Degli Schiavoni, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
Quite the tourist attraction and resident gathering place, this waterfront promenade was originally created in the 9th century, outside of the Doges Palace and ending near the Arsenal. The name Asciavoni actually comes from the Yugoslavian people who came here during medieval times and refers to the fishermen. You will find the Market Stalls where food was sold in the 15th century and is still today. Along the walk view the Vittorio Emmanuele II Monument from 1887, and the Pietà, a historic church.
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
(Off Track)
Palazzo Contarini Del Bovolo, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
Located on a side street in the vicinity of Campo Manin, you will find the elegant Contarini del Bovolo staircase leading up to the castle. These spectacular spiral stairs found on the outside rather than inside of the building, showcase Gothic to Renaissance styles. These stairs were created in 1400 by Pietro Contarini, and from the top will provide you one of the best views of the city. Be prepared for a climb, as the stairs raise six stories. The Contarini Fasan Palace is found next to the stairs, built around 1475.
Where: Near Campo Manin
Phone: +39 041 309 6605
Open: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Entrance: € 7.00 - Online booking available and advisable
Website: Official Site
Zattere
(Waterfront Promenade)
Zattere, Venice
Photo © IQCruising.com
The Zattere was built back in 1519 for use as a landing for unloading timber from cargo ships, used for the construction of ships and various constructions. When that industry ceased the Zattere was transformed into what you see today, a waterfront promenade, excellent for a walk or to enjoy dinner al fresco. You can find it along the southern shores of the Dorsoduro District where it will provide you excellent views of the island of Giudecca, as well as many monuments and buildings.
Squero di San Trovaso
(Gondola's Workshop)
Squero Di San Trovaso, Venice
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This is a small boatyard and the only place where the wooden gondolas are still built today. It’s been in operation since the 17th century and has always kept these gondolas on the miles and miles of canals of Venice. Today the gondolas are built to the same exact specifications as the very first one oh so long ago. This is also where older gondolas come to get a “tune up”, and are the only one of their kind. If you are really searching for a “Kodak moment”, this is the place.
