From
the Zattere to Piazzale Roma
This
tour begins from the long Fondamenta delle Zattere.
Its
name derives from the boats transporting the wood from the
forest of Cadore (the Mountains belonging to the Venetian
Republic). On the other side of the Giudecca Canal
you can see the same named island with the churches by Palladio
and San Giorgio Island.
On the Zattere you can visit the church of the Gesuati,
dedicated to Santa Maria del Rosario, with paintings by Tiepolo,
Tintoretto and Piazzetta. Next to it, the Church of Santa
Maria della Visitazione, one of the finest examples of
Rococo art in Venice.
From here turning along the Fondamenta Nani you will
notice on the other side one of the oldest and characteristic
"squeri” where boats and gondolas are still made.
A little further is the church of San Trovaso: inside, in
the presbytery, two large paintings, Tintoretto’s works, here
brought from the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, now
demolished.
Continuing along the Fondamenta Bontini you reach the
church ofOgnissanti,
a Renaissance work and the former convent now housing a hospital.
Straight on, after crossing the bridge the church of San
Sebastiano which is inseparably linked to the name of
Paolo Veronese, who is buried here.
On the right side of the church is the campo Leading to the
church of the Angelo Raffaele. Inside, the organ loft
is a 18th century masterpiece by Guardi.
Turning round the church, you walk along the Fondamenta
di Pescheria; across the bridge turn left to Fundament
Liz and you will get to the Church of San Nicolò dei
Mendicoli. This is one of the oldest churches in Venice
(7th cent.) in an old working-class area.
Over
the centuries, in fact, this, area has undergone various transformations,
the most recent of which was the building of numerous factories
after the arrival of the railway. Among them, in front of
the church, you can see the Cotonificio, dating back
to the 19th century, now housing part of Venice University.
Few steps off the Campo San Nicolò, on the right side
stands the church delle Terese, better known as Santa Marta.
Inside a remarkable 1bth century painting cycle from the Venetian
school Opposite the church, on the other side of the canal,
are the Case Tron, 18lh century terraced houses. Turning right
and then left, along the Fondamenta Barbarigo you will
reach Palazzo Zenobio, an outstanding example of Baroque
architecture, seat of the Armenian College of
the Mekhitarists since 1850.
The
Fondamenta del Soccorso continues to the Church of the Carmini.
Inside the "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Cima da Conegliano.
To the left side of the church stands the Scuola Gran dei
Carmini with masterpieces by Longhena, Tiepolo and Piazzetta.
A few steps and you are in Campo Santa Margherita:
in the centre the building of the Scuola dei Varoteri,
the meeting house of the furriers guild since 1725; at the
end the former church of Santa Margherita now used
as a Lecture hall by Venice University.
Cross the bridge and reach the Church of San Pantalon
with the remarkable ceiling of the nave by Fumiani.
After the bridge over the Rio della Frescada, you will
get from the back side the Scuola Grande di
San Rocco dating back to the first half of the 16th cent.
Inside in the Salone Maggiore the famous cycle of paintings
by Tintoretto.
Opposite the Scuola stands the Church of San Rocco
with works by Tintoretto and Ricci and, very close to it,
the apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari,
in Gothic style. The entrance is on the same named campo.
The interior is adorned with splendid works of inestimable
value, as the famous "Assumption of the Vergin" Titian d masterpiece,
the "San Giovanni Battista" by Donatello and the "Trittico"
by Bellini and impressing monuments to many Venetian nobles.
Also the elaborated wooden choir is of splendid beauty.
Its bell tower is one of the highest in Venice. On the right
side of the facade stands the Convent which houses
the State Archives. On the other side of the Rio
dei Frari, across the Campo San Stin you will reach
the ScuoLa Grande di San Giovanni EvangeLista and its
church with the monumental portal and grand stair case by
Codussi.
Behind
the Scuola the Sottoportico della Laca Leads on the Left to
the Calle del Campazzo. From there you get to the former
Monastery of the Tolentini, now housing the faculty
of Architecture of Venice University. Opposite the Monastery
stands the Church of the Tolentini with its vey classical
facade made up of a portico with eight Corinthian columns,
on a project in parts revised by Palladio.
Continuing across the Giardini Papadopoli, formerly attached
to the 1bth century Palazzo Papadopoli you reach
Piazzale Roma, autopark and bus terminal, built
in 1931 as an link between the mainland and the city. |
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