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Guide
to the Castello district
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The district
of Castello is one of the oldest in Venice; it
is here you can feel really in touch with the authentic
culture of the city. Castello is located to the
east of San Marco and offers to the visitor many
attractions.
Starting in the eastern extremities of the district
one finds the Saint’ Elena Public Gardens,
which every year from June to November play host
to the International Art and Architecture festival
known as the Biennale. |
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The
most famous street in Castello district is Viale
Garibaldi. This lively street is bordered by
the buildings housing the activities of every
day life- shops, cafés, taverns and a
small market for fish, fruit and vegetable line
the way. There is even a small sail boat alongside
the street which has been converted to a water-borne
sales outlet. This corner of Venice seems truly
untouched by the passage of time.
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| Walking along the Viale,
you are led towards the island of San
Pietro di Castello, where can be found
a distinctive church of the same name.
Designed by Andrea Palladio, S. Pietro
di Castello was the first and original
cathedral of Venice prior to construction
of the Basilica in San Marco. |
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Castello
is also home to the Arsenale,
an impressive shipyard which was once the corner
stone of the economic, political and military
power of Venice. It has stood in this spot since
1104, and has witnessed nine centuries of history
during which the city has developed and expanded
her great sea power.
Close by to the Arsenale is
the Naval History
Museum, where can be found a fascinating
collection of model ships. |
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Returning back in the direction
of San Marco through the large street Riva
degli Schiavoni, one comes upon the marvellous
Church of San
Giorgio degli Schiavoni. The
interior of this building houses splendid paintings
by Carpaccio, whose narrative talents are revealed
in a melange of reality and fantasy, epic stories
and personal experience.
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Further on is the Church of San
Zaccaria, a beautiful example of
the Venetian Renaissance period built by
the architect Mauro Codussi at the end
of the 14th century. The altar of San
Zaccaria is commonly known as the “Madonna
and Saints” Altarpiece, completed
by Bellini. The piece incorporates Bellini's
skill in landscape and architecture, and
his ability to create realistic figures
without diminishing their religious aura.
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