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Guide to the Cannaregio district

The Cannaregio district of Venice is a part of the city where it is still possible to see something of the original Venetian way to life. Around the ghetto area and the fondamenta della Misericordia, right in the heart of the district, are many authentic restaurants and bars. This is where Venetians go to find a good variety of eating places oozing with atmosphere.

The Jewish ghetto is a city within a city, the first such Ghetto in history. Here you can see how the Jewish community lived here over the centuries. In the past here was once located the foundry of Venice where metal to build cannons was cast. Worth a visit in the area is one of the synagogues or the Jewish museum.

Moving trough the narrow streets you will pass by Campo dei Mori with its symbolic statue.

Nearby here is the house of the painter Tintoretto and the church of Madonna dell’ Orto. The name of this 15th century church originates from a weeping statue, found in a nearby house, which became venerated by the local community. The walls of the church give a master class in the painting of Tintoretto, who was buried here with his sons in the right-hand chapel close to the main altar.

Another church worth visiting in the Cannaregio district is the Santa Maria dei Miracoli, built between 1481 and 1489 by Pietro Lombardo. The elegant facade is clad in a various kind of marbles- minute details in bas-relief show animal figures and flowers, and all is crowned by a semicircular pediment.

Close by is the Domenican church of Saint John and Paul- one of the oldest in Venice. It was probably founded in 1234, and was completed in 1368 to be finally consecrated in 1430. The slender ogival forms of the architecture make it a masterpiece of Venetian gothic. Adjoining it, the facade of the Scuola Grande di San Marco (the work of Pietro Lombardo and Mauro Conducci between 1487 and 1496) exemplifies the Renaissance style

Running through this district is the Strada Nuova , the longest street in Venice, connecting the Railway Station to the Rialto bridge. Along this street can be found numerous shops and markets serving Venetians still living in the area.

Along the Strada Nuova, close to the boat stop is Cà D’ Oro, a famous gothic palace facing on the Grand Canal (the Golden house). The interior of this palace is done out in a typical Venetian style, with interesting architectonical expression and paintings from Mantegna together with splendid bronze and renaissance sculptures.

As far as night life in Cannaregio is concerned, most of the restaurants and bars can be found in the Fondamenta della Misericordia- here Venetians love to sit at the canal eating and drinking. Later on you can move on to the Casanova night club at the beginning of Strada Nuova (Railway Station end).