Castello is the largest sestiere of Venice, stretching east of San Marco. The name Castello derives from the fortress standing in the eighth century in the place of today’s church of San Pietro.
Riva degli Schiavoni promenade
The most popular part of Castello is the beautiful, although full of souvenir stalls, Riva degli Schiavoni promenade with a splendid view of San Giorgio Maggiore. The bustle of the quay disappears in the depths of the district. Calm, as if forgotten streets and squares allow for a moment of rest.
Arsenale, the shipyard of the Venetian navy
Strolling through the district, we can reach the Arsenale, the shipyard of the Venetian navy. The Arsenale was founded in the 12th century and expanded from the 14th to the 16th century, became the largest shipyard in the world. In the best period, 16 thousand Arsenalotti worked here at the construction of the great Venetian galleys. After taking over Venice, Napoleon destroyed the docks, and melted down cannons to monuments commemorating the French Revolution. Today, it is mostly a closed military area.
Photographs of Sestiere Castello
Scuola Grande di San Marco
Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Carrying goods on boats on the canals of Venice
Quiet streets of Castello
A view of the Sant’Antonin church tower
Quiet streets of Castello
Church of San Martino
Arsenale – the former Venetian shipyard of the navy
A street leading to the Arsenale
Renaissance main gate to the Arsenale
Lions guarding the entrance to the Arsenale
Beautiful and busy Riva degli Schiavoni promenade
Palaces on the Rio dei Greci
Tilted bell tower of the church of San Giorgio dei Greci
Stalls on Riva degli Schiavoni
Gothic Palazzo Priuli overlooking the peaceful Fondamenta dell Osmarin
Gondola
Monument of Victor Emmanuel II – the first king of united Italy
Hotel Danieli in Palazzo Dandolo
Riva degli Schiavoni
Doge’s Palace and Ponte della Paglia bridge
The beautiful facade of the Palazzo Trevisan-Cappello
Campo Santa Maria Formosa – surrounded by elegant palaces market square
The tower of the church of Santa Maria Formosa
Moored boats
Riva degli Schiavoni promenade
View of San Giorgio Maggiore from the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront
I am a passionate enthusiast of travel, archeology, photography and dancing 🙂 On this page I try to combine the first three elements: P and show you that travelling becomes definitely more interesting when we discover visited places, and often inconspicuous ruins hide the most fascinating stories 🙂