Itineraries Archivi - Hotel Bucintoro

Mar 08 2018

Cannaregio district Venice

Cannaregio district Venice is the largest and most populated district of Venice after Castello. Cannaregio covers most of the territory on the norther side of the Grand Canal.

The bridge of Guglie in Cannaregio

The name might recall the large cane fields present in this area when still uninhabited.
Another hypothesis, a bit less plausible, is that the name comes from the Canal Regio, referred to the canal of Cannaregio. However, it could actually be an error in some Hapsburg maps. During the Napoleon’s era, some local dignitaries as Antonio Ruzini, Niccolò Vendramin Calergi and Giovan Battista Combi called the canal Canalreggio. Due to this fact, we think that this name was already used in the 19th century and so its origin must be more ancient.

In the Cannaregio district Venice is situated the Jewish Ghetto of Venice. You can reach it walking under a sottoportico, close to the bridge of Guglie. The iron hinges of the doors, who once closed the Ghetto during the night,are still easily visible. In the Jewish Ghetto you can see 5 synagogues, a few open to the public, and the Jewish museum.

If you want to visit the Jewish Ghetto, take boat line 1 and get off at San Marcuola stop.

The main artery of the district is the large walking route that goes from Santa Lucia train station to Rialto. This route starts from Scalzi bridge and it ends in Santi Apostoli square (25 minutes). This street ,which extends for 1.5 km, is called Strada Nova but it is known with the name of Vittorio Emanuele II too.

For information, feel free to ask at the reception.

Feb 21 2018

Dorsoduro district Venice

Dorsoduro district Venice connects itself to San Marco district through Accademia bridge.
The west side of this district is composed by the Mendigola island, one of the first areas of the town that has been colonized, few centuries before Rialto became the center of Venice (810).
In the century XI, on Mendigola island, was built the famous church of San Nicolò dei Mendicoli.
The islands nearby were colonized in the following years until Punta della Dogana , who is named due to the presence of the Custom of Venice.

Outstanding view from Accademia bridge which connects Dorsoduro district with San Marco’s.

Dorsoduro is the second district in Venice town , after San Marco, in which importants museums are gathered: the main museum are the Accademia Galleries, instituted by the painter Giambattista Piazzetta in 1750 and moved to this buildings by Napoleon in 1807.
Another famous museum is the Peggy Guggenheim collection, a modern and contemporary gallery, based in Palazzo Venier Dei Leoni, once private residence of the american patron. One other place that deserves a mention is Punta Della Dogana – François Pinault foundation, opened in 2009 and being part of Palazzo Grassi.
In Dorsoduro district Venice you can find Ca’ Rezzonico, museum of the venetian 18th century, Scuola Grande dei Carmini and Ca’ Foscari, venue of the venitian university.

View from Punta della Dogana, a few steps away from Salute church.

The most important churches are Santa Maria della Salute basilica, already described in one of our posts, Gesuati church, San Trovaso church, San Pantalon church, Ognissanti church and San Nicolò dei Mendicoli.
In Dorsoduro district Venice is situated San Trovaso squero (warehouse of gondolas) and campo Santa Margherita, a rendezvous for students and venetians.

For more information ask at the reception.

Dec 28 2017

San Marco district Venice

San Marco is the smaller district of the town but it contains the political and religious heart of Venice. It has always been inhabited by the nobility and, together with Rialto and San Pietro di Castello, it is part of the original nucleus in the development of Venice. It is limited north by the Grand Canal, south by Saint Mark’s basin, west by Rio del Palazzo and east by Rio de San Zulian. It borders north with Cannaregio district and east with Castello district, it is connected with San Polo district through Rialto bridge and with Dorsoduro through Accademia bridge. Administratively, the district contains San Giorgio Maggiore island too.

Saint Mark’s square, the political and religious heart of Venice.

In the origin, its name was Rivoalto, in which Rialto come from too. It was called also Civitas Rivoalti, recalling the area of its foundation. Saint Mark’s square is naturally the heart of the district: for more than 1000 years was the political, decision and judiciary center of the Republic of Venice. Here took place the most important event as the Venice Carneval, who is still alive nowadays. Saint Mark’s square is the only square of the town exposed on the maritime basin: richful of monuments and palaces, it gathers more than 15 centuries of history and art. Saint Mark’s square is the living room of the venetian citizens: the open space dedicated to host all the most importants events in the town.

San Marco district hosts several monuments like the Bell tower, the basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Together with the “Paròn de casa“, the bell tower, who towers with its 98 meters of height in the square and all the town, you can enjoy the view of several monuments, very close together and in different styles, as the venetian stylistic instructs. You can see the Procuratie right in front of the Basilica and the Doge’s palace, venue of the juridical power of the Serenissima; the clock tower, restored in 2006; the famous bridge of sighs beyond which starts Castello district. There is also the Napoleonic wing where you can find Correr museum. Outside the square you can also find La Fenice theatre, Goldoni theatre, San Moisè church, Palazzo Grassi and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where the basilica and the Cini foundation rise.

San Giorgio Maggiore island is part of the San Marco district too

From Hotel Bucintoro you can reach San Marco district very easily! Ask at the reception for mor information!

Nov 29 2017

Scala Contarini del Bovolo Venice

Hidden inside a small court on the side of Campo Manin, at the end of a tiny street, rise in all its beauty the Scala Contarini Del Bovolo Venice. This staircase, a particular structure for the venetian architecture, is part of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a gothic-style palace built between the 14th and 15th century as mansion of the Contarini family. In the end of the 15th century, when the staircase was annexed at the palace, they family name became “Contarini dal Bovolo”.

The Staircase Contarini del Bovolo, a few minutes from St. Mark’s square.

The staircase, 26 meters tall with a diameter of 4.7, was built with bricks and Istria stone and is composed by loggias and arches. You can climb the 80 steps counterclockwise and, on top, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the venetian roofs. The columns and the arches give to the staircase a peculiar aspect. Some experts see a sort of connection between the Gothic period and the Renaissance.

The magnificent view from the top of the staircase.

The entrance ticket for the staircase Contarini del Bovolo is valid for a visit of 30 minutes on the day and time chosen. You can add at you ticket the visit of the Oratorio dei Crociferi. The oratorio is 15-20 minutes far from the Scala Contarini del Bovolo. The Oratorio could be visited in a different day of the Staircase. The Oratorio is opne Fridays and Saturdays from 10-13/14-17. For groups you can organize a visit ,out of this timetable, contacting the reservation office. Entrance is free for children under 12 years who have to be accompanied by an adult. Every adult can accompany 2 children under 12 years.

Ask at the reception for more information!

Nov 21 2017

Castello district Venice

Castello district Venice is the biggest and the second, for inhabitants, of Venice town. It is also the only district that is not on the Grand Canal. It has been one of the first living area of Venice (V-VI century). The district takes its name from the castle who rised. It was built as defense from the attacks coming by sea. You can find also the Arsenale in this district, for centuries the biggest in the world.

San Pietro di Castello Basilica.

Like the other districts, Castello took its shape in the high middle age thanks to colonies. In Castello you can admire the San Pietro di castello basilica , episcopal headquarters until 1807, when Napoleon moved it in Saint Mark’s basilica. In the beginning, the district was divided in two islands, the Gemine and the Olivolo. Together they became the actual district.

In Castello district Venice you can live an unique atmosphere where the heart of the real Venice beats.

If you are walking in this districtyou cannot miss some churches or some fascinating monuments. The ancient Arsenale, the historical Naval museum, the old headquarters of the granaries today hosts maritime memories of Venice. The church of San Francesco Della Vigna, built by Andrea Palladio, or church Santa Maria Formosa, was erected in the 12th century and the rebuilt in 1492, keeping its plan in greek cross. This church is located in a colorful square, surrounded by private palaces of different ages.

Castello district Venice hosts the international art exhibition Biennale and the gardens, a place where to relax for locals and tourists.

Comparing Venice to a fish, Castello could be the tale, being at the extreme East. Here you can live and fell the real Venice, between fish markets and typical stores.

Do not miss the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Bucintoro, located in the Castello district!

HOTEL BUCINTORO SRL