he name of this sestiere comes from the fact that it stood in an area that was not very marshy and therefore considered stable compared to the others.
It is connected to the sestiere of San Marco by the Accademia Bridge and is bordered by the sestiere of Santa Croce and San Polo on one side, the Grand Canal on another and finally the Giudecca Canal on the Zattere side. Also part of Dorsoduro are the Giudecca Island and the canal that passes between the latter and the sestiere.
WHERE IS IT LOCATED AND HOW TO REACH SESTIERE DORSODURO
Vaporetto lines 1 and 2 run along the Grand Canal and reach the sestiere.
On foot from Venice Santa Lucia Station, the central area of Dorsoduro is about twenty minutes away. Of course, the time varies depending on where you need to reach, for example, 15 minutes to get to the university area and a scant half hour to get to the Punta Dogana area (the farthest away).
WHAT TO SEE IN THE SESTIERE DORSODURO
Dorsoduro boasts a rich presence, second only to the sestiere of San Marco, of churches, palaces and museums.
Right in the center of the sestiere is Campo Santa Margherita, a space much frequented by young university students and tourists, considered one of the liveliest places in the city. It is the ideal place if you want to take a break and want to taste the "spritz," an alcoholic aperitif prepared with prosecco, aperol (bitter) and sparkling water. At night, the Campo is one of the places most frequented by young people, who consider it a meeting place for Venetian nightlife.
Very recommended is a walk along the Fondamenta Zattere, which will allow you to enjoy a very impressive view of the Giudecca Canal. In spring-summer it becomes one of the most popular places to stroll, thanks also to the rich presence along the Fondamenta of bars, gelaterias and restaurants.
The Zattere and Accademia area is also considered one of the most exclusive in the city as it contains within it the rare examples of modern residential architecture.
Curiosities Of Dorsoduro
In the sestiere of Dorsoduro stands Palazzo Ca' Dario, a mansion overlooking the Grand Canal on which a curse has been said to be serious for centuries, also complicit in the tragic events that have befallen past tenants: those who were to buy the house, in fact, would face terrible misfortunes, from financial meltdown to a violent death, by accidental causes, murder or suicide.
In this sestiere we also find Campo San Barnaba, famous for being the protagonist, with the church that stands there, of a scene in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
In fact, the church was used to set a fictional library there, while the field was filmed during a scene in which the protagonist, after penetrating the city's nonexistent underground passages, emerged from a manhole in the center of the field, creating immense stir among the customers of the nearby bar.
ATTRACTIONS AND MONUMENTS IN DORSODURO
This sestiere as already anticipated is full of museums and monuments. We can distinguish them among the "must-sees" of Venice, that is, those monuments that should not be missed when staying in Venice.
Attractions Not To Be Missed
Among the must-see attractions we definitely find the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, an example of Venetian Baroque architecture that, being built in the area of Punta della Dogana, can be seen both from St. Mark's Basin and the Grand Canal.
Museum lovers are spoiled for choice. This sestiere is home to the Museo dell'Accademia, which contains a collection of Venetian paintings, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Palazzo Venier), inside which are works from multiple artistic currents.
In addition, we find the Museum of Contemporary Art at Punta della Dogana, permanent home to the François Pinault Collection, and Ca' Rezzonico, a prestigious Venetian palace overlooking the Grand Canal and home to the Museum of 18th-century Venice.
An unmissable stop in Campo di Santa Margherita, the true heart of the sestiere and a meeting place for Venetians, and a walk along the Fondamenta Zattere.
For Art Enthusiasts
Within the sestiere there is the Church of the Gesuati with works by Tiepolo and Tintoretto, the Church of San Sebastiano of Renaissance architectural style with decorations by Paolo Veronese, and the Church of San Trovaso at the side of which stands the eponymous squero (shipyard where gondolas are built).
One of the most beautiful palaces overlooking the Grand Canal is Ca' Dario, located between the Accademia Museum and the Salute Church. It can be recognized by its slight inclination to the right and the presence of some circular medallions that serve as decoration.
TOUR TO VISIT THE SESTIERE OF DORSODURO
Dorsoduro is the liveliest sestiere in the Serenissima, it is teeming with students, there is a lively, joyful atmosphere, and there are many ways to visit it.
One can opt for the do-it-yourself mode, discovering the calli of the sestiere, with the help perhaps of some passing students, a good solution yes, but given the size and depth of this Venetian area the ideal solution is to take guided tours.
Guided tours are opportunities to delve into the history, secrets and nuances of the neighborhood that you would not be able to understand on your own. The possibilities vary, the editorial staff of Venice Help has selected two very general proposals that will allow you to get an all-around understanding of Dorsoduro and beyond.
Tour Of Dorsoduro And Entrance To The Gallerie Dell'Accademia.
A private tour of the Gallerie dell'Accademia, among paintings created between the 14th and 18th centuries by great masters of European painting, will begin your journey. Continuing through the artistic district of the Sestiere, you will discover places like Campo Santa Margherita, Fondamenta Zattere and Campo San Barnaba, very active areas of Venice often frequented by Venetians.
Thanks to your guide you will discover the most hidden and secret sides of Dorsoduro, in a journey that will combine art, history, culture and everyday life.
We advise you to book in advance this private tour do not miss the opportunity to delve into an area of Venice with a special multicultural charm.
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