From
St.Lucia Railway to the Fondamenta Nuove
This tour crosses the north part of the city.
It begins at S. Lucia Railway Station, whose area had undergone
many transformations since 1841, when the bridge across the
lagoon w ad built.
At the foot of the large bridge which Crosses of the Grand
Canal stand the church of the Scalzi, dedicated
to S.ta Maria di Nazareth, which is one of the most
balanced examples of Baroque art in Venice with remarkable
frescoes by Tiepolo in its interior.
From here continue on to the Lista di Spagna and reach
the late Baroque church of San Geremia which
contains the relics of the Virgin-martyr St. Lucy of Syracuse.
Next to the church stands the sumptuous Palazzo Labia, the
interior of which is adorned with splendid frescoes by Tiepolo.
Across the Ponte delle Guglie, so called because of
the obelisks placed on the balustrades (guglie means spires),
turn left onto the Fondamenta di Cannaregio.
The second calle on the right leads to the Ghetto,
since the 16th century the obligatory residence of the Jews.
The impossibility of expanding outside the Ghetto led to build
here the highest houses in town.
Of remarkable interest are the five synagogues and the Museo d’Arte
Ebraica, a museum gathering the most significant artefacts
produced in the Venetian Jewish tradition.
From Campo de' Ghetto Nuovo, a cross the Rio della
Sensa and, after Calle dei Riformati, a cross the
Rio of the same name, you reach the former Monastery
of the Discalced Carmelites.
At the end of the Fondamenta is the church of Sant’Alvise
built on an early Gothic plan; inside three famous paintings
by Tiepolo.
From here you reach Campo della Madonna dell'Orto,
where on the left is the former Scuola dei Mercanti.
The church, of ancient origins, is notable for its brick façade;
inside paintings by Cima da Conegliano and The Last Judgement
by Tintoretto, who is buried here.
Across Campo dei Mori, going along the Fondamenta
dell’Abbazzia, you reach the former Scuola Vecchia
di Santa Maria della Misericordia and the church in the
Campo which still has its original brick paving.
After crossing the bridge is the new venue of the Scuola
della Misericordia, planned by J. Sansovino with its infinished
facade. The Campo della Misericordia is overlooked
by the Palazzo Lezze, a splendid building by Longhena.
Continuing along the Fondamenta, after crossing the Rio, you
reach the church of San Marziale, which contains paintings
by Titian and canvases by S. Ricci.
After two bridges, towards Campo Santa Fosca, you reach
the so called Strada Nova which is the main street
connecting the Railway station to Rialto, opened in
1871.
Towards Rialto you can stop in front of Palazzo Correr-Contarini, now Used
for auctions.Further on stands Palazzo Giovanelli.
After crossing the Ponte Pasqualigo you get at the Renaissance
church of San Felice. A few steps ahead, turn right
to the Ca’ d'Oro, on the Grand Canal a beautiful
palace adorned with elegant marble lace.
Have a look at the middle-age church of Santa Sofia
which was incorporated in a 19th century civil
building.
Towards Campo SS. Apostoli: on the right is the Scuola
dell’Angelo Custode which is now a Lutheran church; on
the left stands the church of Santi Apostoli of very
ancient origins and built on one of the first inhabited islands
of Venice.
Continuing beyond the church and going onto the Rio Terà
SS. Apostoli
you arrive at Campo dei Gesuiti.
This campo is overlooked by the Oratorio dei Crociferi which
houses an important cycle of paintings by Palma il Giovane;
and the church of the Gesuiti with its imposing Baroque facade
and Corinthian columns.
The interior is adorned with a fascinating decoration of green
and white marble marquetry and contains works by Titian and
Palma il Giovane.
From here you can easy reach the Fondamenta Nuove;
beyond them you can see the northern lagoon with the island
of S.Michele, the cemetery, and Murano,
the island of the Venetian glass.
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