Location: San Polo
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What to do and see in San Polo, Veneto: The Best Sights & Landmarks
With its gondolas, canals, amazing restaurants, and unforgettable romantic ambiance, Venice is definitely a city for one's bucket list. Waterfront palazzos, palaces, and churches make drifting down the Grand Canal feel like cruising through a painting. To really experience Venice you must go to the opera or to a classical music performance, nibble fresh pasta and pastries, and linger in the exhibit halls of an art gallery. Label lovers will drool over the high-end shopping in Piazza San Marco.
Restaurants in Venice
1. Casa delle Cinque Teste
2. Palazzo Pisani Moretta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
One of the most beautiful palaces frescoed by Tiepolo is located on the Grand Canal between Campo San Tomà and Campo San Polo.
Reviewed By Mark42139 - New York City, United States
This is one of the most beautiful palaces in Venice, and it's in a great location on the Grand Canal.
3. Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,962 reviews
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a lay confraternity founded in 1478. The popularity of the cult of St. Roch, whose remains had been in the possession of the brotherhood since 1485, contributed to the latter’s rapid expansion to the extent of it becoming the richest Scuola of the city. At that point it was decided to build a new monumental headquarters and engage Tintoretto to decorate it with his most celebrated pictorial cycle, illustrating episodes from the New and Old Testaments. It is the only one of the historic Scuole Grandi to have survived the fall of the republic. It is a unique site, where over 60 paintings are preserved in their original setting in a building that has hardly undergone any alteration since its construction. The confraternity is still active today, carrying out its traditional charitable duties as well as looking after its extraordinary artistic patrimony.
Reviewed By 760billa - Spring Lake, United States
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of those places that I suspect many visitors to Venice have never heard about. But, it should make every tourist's short list of places to see while in Venice. It features the artwork of the Italian painter, and master of the Venetian school, known as Tinteretto. To appreciate the history behind this building and the life story of Tinteretto, I highly recommend using the audio guide which is available for a reasonable charge. The audio guide will lead you through three floors of artwork. You can choose how much or how little detail you care to listen to. Even if you only have an hour, I think this is a must do attraction in Venice.
4. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,171 reviews
Originally built in the mid-13th century, Santa Maria Glorisoa dei Frari (St. Mary of the Friars) houses many masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance art, notably Giovanni Bellini's triptych "Madonna and Child with Saints," the "Assumption" and the "Pesaro Madonna" by Titian, Saint John the Baptist by Donatello.
Reviewed By rzoe - Cambridge, United States
This Basilica is home to Titian's Assumption of Mary which is one of the most beautiful paintings in the world - it takes your breath away. It's 22 feet high, 11 feet wide and is perfect for its place on the high altar of the church. The church also has some fine Bellini's, but the reason to go there is the Titian. We were there is September and there were very few tourists so were able to sit and look at the painting in peace.
5. Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista is both a building complex and a lay brotherhood since 1261. The building gradually enlarged as the importance of the Scuola increased from XIV till XVIII century. The venue can be used for different type of events or visited as a museum. In this way the Brotherhood provides the funds for maintenance and restoration of this heritage.
Reviewed By 367makem
I was not prepared at all for the beauty and mystery of this place! I chose a guided tour (10 e entrance fee + 5 e for the guide), and it was the best decision, otherwise I would have probably seen the place in 10 mins, missing the magical history behind it. Elena was absolutely wonderful, she speaks perfect English and Italian, and left us speechless while telling us the story of the place, a mix of history, religion, art, politics, war and social habits, it was like travelling back in time and living every detail through imagination, it was an experience that will last in my mind for a long time, and made me curious to discover similar places. Thank you Elena and I hope to see you again soon for another tour!
6. San Polo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Venice district that offers many interesting historic sites such as the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, thought to be the oldest church in Venice.
Reviewed By Raffiella11 - Leicestershire, United Kingdom
True heart of the city, centres around the Rialto Bridge/bustling Rialto market,dense in history/culture, secluded Palazzo’s down narrow alleyways, if only we knew where they were/we would love to see inside. Overflowing with tourists on the bridge taking photographs and just wandering around, most not knowing any history of the area. Take time to read about San Polo’s history it is totally fascinating, and things you see will make more sense.. At the bottom of the Rialto Steps is a double sided array for very tacky tourist stalls. Wander away from the area of the market, there is a vast array of local food/wine & clothes shops. Do not miss the Spice Street it has been here since the 16th century when spices were brought from Asia, plus fabulous cheese shops, bakeries etc . Do not miss the oldest church in the city, San Giacomo di Rialto, opposite is the statue which most tourists miss of Gobo – the hunchback. Looking towards arches, is wine bar/restaurant Banco Giro this is the site of the first bank in the world. There are other bars nearby but Banco Giro is far the best. My advice while walking around, look up at the buildings, and there are fabulous sights to be seen. Walking on the Fondamenta dell O'lio at the side of the Grande Canale takes you into the heart of San Polo. Narrow alleyways, pretty canals, peaceful squares,,local venetians are going about there daily life, unusual churches, some fabulous individual designer shops. It also has masses of the most interesting musuems, some on the side of the Grande Canal, others hidden away. Last year we visited Palazzo Mocengo, near the San Stae stop – 17th century furniture/costumes – well worth a visit This district has a great array of fabulous restaurants whether looking for a casual lunch, or a more upmarket dining experience, you just have to find them. We often take this walk which leads us into Campo San Cassian, we just keep on walking - my advice is just get lost. Sometimes you can be totally alone, walking down narrow alleyways, and coming across a huge door with an amazing door knocker – unkown it is probably the most fabulous Palazzo behind the large wooden door, with lavishly decorated huge rooms, they all have a rear door which gives access to a small canal, where they have a boat. We actually got lost, found a lovely osteria where we had a fabulous pizza/plus wine. Still lost we came across the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari church, the exterior is very plain, once inside it is totally mind-blowingly fabulous – we have been trying to find this church for years. If you take the Vaparetto from the market going north on the Grande Canale, sit back, take in the wonderful sights of Palazzo’s - all different shapes/styles, which have been there since the 16/17th century. Some are breathtakingly beautiful, others rather grey and unloved.
7. San Michele
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 342 reviews
Venice's cemetary island since the 1800s.
Reviewed By wilsonx6
We were told about this place and wanted to go and see it. We took the water bus from Venice. It is just so tranquil and calm and offers a very rare and curious insight into how locals celebrate their loved ones.
8. Church of San Pantalon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Reviewed By Bodhisattva_75 - Milan, Italy
Church of San Pantalon is a treasure chest with a very special treasure inside. Its facade is somewhat ordinary but once you set foot in the church you will be amazed! The ceiling is fully covered with a huge oil paint - the most extensive in the entire world - consisting of 40 canvas. It took painter Giovanni Antonio Fumiani 24 years to complete his job. As you get in if you go to the right side you can use a 1 Euro coin to have the ceiling illuminated: especially useful if you visit the church late in the afternoon or on a dark winter day. Please always check opening hours on the church official website before you go. Once you leave the church you can have wonderful cicheti and excellent red wine at a nearby bacaro. Its name is "El Sbarlefo San Pantalon".
9. Palazzo Mocenigo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
A patrician residence at San Stae, Palazzo Mocenigo houses valuable 18th century artworks and is also home to the Study Centre for the History of Textiles and Costumes. A fine selection of rare textiles and costumes of particular importance are displayed. The collection is laid out with a significant importance given to garments and accessories. Mainly of Venetian origin, the works are often embellished with lace and embroidery, skills of several artisans who made such a contribution to that refined luxury and elegance for which the Venetians of those days were famous for.
Reviewed By JandApe - Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Venice has a surfeit of riches - especially when it comes to historic attractions. The “Premier League” ones such as the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s etc. are so popular, that a visit requires some prior planning – or a long time standing in line. If you don’t have the appetite for either, then the Palazzo Mocenigo could be the place you are looking for. You just alight from the #1 vaporetto at San Stae, walk up the “salizada” to the right of the church and within seconds – you’re there. The Palazzo is billed as being the best preserved example, of a noble Venetian family’s residence. A family that produced an impressive seven Doge’s, during the 15th through to the 18th centuries. On that count alone, it does not disappoint. The rooms are obviously a shadow of their “peak opulence” but are still very impressive. Throw in the artworks, a display of 18th century clothing and an interesting exhibition on the development of the perfume industry and you have a very enjoyable couple of hours. The whole experience was amplified by the unaggressive stewardship of the staff. On so many occasions, a visit to an attraction has been ruined by the wail of proximity alarms, or the piercing gaze of overly cautious guardians. Not that I blame establishments for this, tourists can be monumentally stupid at times. Plonking their derrieres on delicate antique furniture and above all, exhibiting a curious desire to touch anything within reach. On the whole - we get what we deserve. Palazzo Mocenigo may not be at the top of Venice’s “must see” list of attractions but a visit should satisfy almost everybody’s expectations – and then some.
10. Palazzo Zeno - Ca Zen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
