{"id":1377,"date":"2021-08-18T10:50:31","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T10:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.veneziadaesplorare.com\/?p=1377"},"modified":"2022-08-08T20:44:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T20:44:58","slug":"san-polo-venice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/san-polo\/","title":{"rendered":"The San Polo district: 10 things to see and where to eat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The San Polo district<\/strong> is located right in the heart of Venice<\/strong> and, despite being the smallest of the six sestieri, it is also one of the most frequented by Venetians. What makes this neighborhood special are its many artisan workshops and, at the same time, the numerous small traditional wine bars known as bacari<\/strong>, which represent a true institution for food lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"San<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Things to see<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Where to eat<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n

10 things to see in the San Polo district of Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve created a short walking itinerary<\/strong> that will allow you to cross the entire San Polo district of Venice, guiding you to discover 10 attractions that we recommend not missing. Where does it start?<\/strong> An easy starting point to reach both on foot and by vaporetto: the Rialto Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Rialto Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rialto<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Among the bridges of Venice<\/strong>, the most famous and certainly the most photographed of all is the Rialto Bridge<\/strong>, the only one that until the last century allowed pedestrians to cross the Grand Canal<\/strong>, connecting the San Polo district with San Marco. Built entirely of stone after a long history of wooden bridges collapsing into the canal, this bridge is an extraordinary feat of engineering and architecture, measuring 48 meters in length and 22 meters in width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every day, thousands of visitors stop here to take photos of the magnificent view that opens up from the ramps and from the top of the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Rialto Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mercato
The Rialto fish market | Photo by Zmihai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Open every day (except Sundays and Mondays) from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., this is one of the most characteristic neighborhood markets in Venice. Colors, scents, flavors, and a lively mix of voices make the atmosphere truly vibrant and authentic. We recommend taking a walk among the fish stalls at the Loggia della Pescheria<\/strong> and the fruit and vegetable stands in Campo Erbaria<\/strong>, in what is considered one of the oldest markets in Italy\u2014its origins are said to date back as far as the year 1000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Campo Erbaria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"San
Campo Erbaria \u00e8 ogni giorno luogo di ritrovo per tanti giovani | Photo da Paolo Benegiamo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re not just in the \u201cproduce area\u201d of the market. Campo Erbaria is famous because it\u2019s packed with bars and bacari<\/strong> where you can sample a wide variety of traditional Venetian dishes<\/strong>. If you\u2019re wondering where to eat in San Polo, Venice<\/strong>, in the next section we\u2019ll show you some of the most popular spots among young Venetians\u2014places where the food is genuinely excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to try the cicchetti served in bacari<\/strong>: small, single-portion bites that define the lagoon\u2019s street food<\/strong>, featuring all the local specialties. Give them a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Ponte delle Tette<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the time of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, the city also had its own red-light district. The entire area between the San Polo and Santa Croce districts was filled with houses of tolerance, and right above this small bridge was one of the spots where prostitutes would lean out of their windows and attract passing clients by exposing their breasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ponte<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Today, it is simply a pedestrian bridge, allowing us to reach the next stop on our walking itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Campo San Polo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is the largest campo<\/em> in Venice, excluding St. Mark\u2019s Square<\/strong>\u2014which is considered a square and not a campo. Campo San Polo takes its name from the Church of San Polo (Saint Paul), located on the southern side of the square. The central well is over 500 years old, and the importance of this large urban space grew so much that in the 1600s the city\u2019s famous market for the poor was moved here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Campo
Campo San Polo has always been a gathering place | Photo by Pantchoa <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the past, all the city\u2019s main public games were held here, making it the city\u2019s primary place for leisure and social life. However, due to complaints from nearby residents, all recreational activities were eventually banned. Walking through Campo San Polo today, you\u2019re instead captivated by the beauty and charm of the historic noble residences<\/strong> that overlook the square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For over seven centuries, this complex has been home to the Confraternity of San Giovanni Evangelista. Inside, it houses masterpieces by artists such as Tintoretto, Palma il Giovane, Longhi, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scuola<\/a>
The Marble Septum by Pietro Lombardo (late 15th century) | Photo by Scuola San Giovanni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The building boasts more than 600 years of history and today hosts an interesting museum complex open to the public, dedicated to art and architecture ranging from Gothic to Venetian Baroque. Concerts and events are frequently held here, creating a cultural calendar rich with artistic highlights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more, book your visit, or join a guided tour, you can visit the official website of the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Basilica dei Frari<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Its full name is the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, and it is one of the largest and most famous churches in Venice. The structure rests on twelve imposing columns<\/strong>\u2014twelve, just like the number of the Apostles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Frari
The Basilica dei Frari seen from Ponte San Stin | Photo by Gerry Linch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Basilica and its bell tower are masterpieces of architecture whose origins date back as far as the 13th century. Inside, you\u2019ll find sculptures and paintings of extraordinary beauty, including works by Antonio Canova, Bellini, Titian, and a famous 13th-century crucifix. The church also houses the tombs of notable figures such as Titian himself and the celebrated Tomb of Canova.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to pass through the San Polo district, the Basilica dei Frari is an absolute must-see<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Church of San Rocco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Less than a two-minute walk from the Basilica dei Frari, you\u2019ll find another church we highly recommend visiting. We are here in Campo San Rocco, facing a church that dates back to the late 15th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Church
Church of San Rocco | Photo by Mario Ottaviani<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The current fa\u00e7ade preserves only a few elements of the original structure, as restoration work carried out in the 18th century significantly altered its appearance. The four side niches, visible in the photo, house sculptures of four different Venetian saints<\/strong>, while the central niche features a sculpture dedicated to Saint Roch, much revered by worshippers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss the stunning 18th-century organ and the frescoes decorating the interior walls, with works by Tintoretto, Giovanni Antonio Fumiani, Sebastiano Ricci, and many other Venetian painters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Scuola Grande di San Rocco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Church of San Rocco was commissioned by the members of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco themselves, who\u2014just a short walk from the Frari\u2014wanted a place of worship dedicated to their patron saint. The Scuola Grande is a lay confraternity dating back to the late 15th century and today houses around 60 paintings<\/strong>, creating a remarkable fusion of art, architecture, and spirituality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scuola
The famous Tintoretto painting cycle depicting the Old and New Testament | Photo by Scuola Grande di San Rocco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tintoretto is undoubtedly the central figure here, with his biblical scenes covering the walls of the building. However, works by artists such as Giorgione, Tiepolo, and Lo Scalzone are also on display. Don\u2019t miss the Treasury Room<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Carlo Goldoni's House<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is where the celebrated playwright Carlo Goldoni was born in 1707. Today, the house is a museum offering an experience entirely built around the author\u2019s narrative style. Even the educational visit is structured around the concept of suspense<\/strong>, a technique Goldoni mastered like few others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Carlo
The interiors of the House of Carlo Goldoni | Photo by Visitmuve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The atmosphere is intentionally nostalgic, recreating what was a century marked by extravagance and luxury\u2014one that ultimately led to the fall of the Republic of Venice. Don\u2019t miss the small theater featuring original 18th-century marionettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n

Where to eat in San Polo, Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re in one of Venice\u2019s districts most frequented by locals looking to enjoy a good meal based on traditional specialties: creamed cod, sweet-and-sour sardines, bigoli in sauce, all perfectly paired with a glass of local wine. So, where can you eat well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HOstaria<\/figure>
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Hostaria Osottoosopra<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This spot is actually located in the Dorsoduro district of Venice<\/strong>, just a short walk from the southern edge of San Polo. It\u2019s about a 10-minute walk from the station and offers traditional dishes at a fair price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Osteria<\/figure>
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Osteria Fanal del Codega<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located right along Fondamenta del Forner, this is a very characteristic restaurant that won us over both for its quality and its value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ristorante<\/figure>
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Ristorante Wist\u00e8ria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A refined restaurant offering outstanding local tasting menus paired with some of the finest wine selections. Beautifully curated interiors make it the perfect choice for a special occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Il sestiere San Polo si trova proprio al centro di Venezia e, nonostante sia il pi\u00f9 piccolo dei sei sestieri, \u00e8 anche tra i pi\u00f9 frequentati dai veneziani. A rendere speciale questo quartiere sono le numerose botteghe artigiane e allo stesso tempo le tante piccole osterie, chiamati Bacari, che rappresentano una vera e propria istituzione […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-itinerari-venezia"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1377\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veneziadaesplorare.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}