Tourist Attractions In Venice - The Santa Croce District

The Santa Croce district, or sestiere as the locals call it

, forms the southwest corner of Venice. This lovely district owes its name to the Chiesa di Santa Croce, Unfortunately this historic edifice on the Grand Canal perhaps dating back to the mid-Sixth Century was demolished in 1810. You might want to start your tour at the Ca Rezzonico, also on the Grand Canal. This former palace was built in the mid-Seventeenth Century. Alas neither the architect nor the client lived to see it completed. It has become a public museum, specializing in Eighteenth Century Venice, and is said to be one of the cities most splendid museums.

Quite nearby is the Campo San Barnaba, an attractive square hosting a deconsecrated church of the same name. Even if you haven't been to Venice, you may find this church somewhat familiar. It was used as the library in the 1989 film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It also played a role in Summertime, a 1955 film in which the leading lady, Katherine Hepburn, fell into a canal in front of the church. At the director's insistence Katherine did the scene herself (in four takes) and caught a rare eye disease, which plagued her for the rest of her life. Make sure to view the church ceiling. Going westward towards the district center you'll find the Fourteenth Century Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini, also known as Santa Maria del Carmelo. Don't be put off by its dark interior. The nearby Scuola Grande di San Rocco boasts some sixty paintings by Tintoretto. Don't judge a book by its cover; the particularly lavish Seventeenth Century Church of San Pantalon has an unremarkable facade. Its beautiful canvas ceiling was painted for the church previously occupying this plot. In the north of Santa Croce lies the Seventeenth Century Church of San Nicolo da Tolentino whose special feature is the large central cloister. This is Venice's only church with a freestanding Corinthian portico.

The southern end of this district also boasts some fine churches. The mid-Sixteenth Century Church of San Sebastiano is one of the great Plague-Churches of Venice, built to temper the divine punishment of the plagues ravaging Europe. It boasts paintings by Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese. A short walk to the west lies the Chiesa di San Nicolo dei Mendicoli, considered one of Venice's most charming churches. "Mendicoli" means beggars, highlighting the humble nature of the local populace, fishermen and craftsmen. The original church is said to date back to the Seventh Century, its square bell tower was built in Venetian-Byzantine style at the end of the Twelfth Century.

The Ponte dei Pugni (Bridge of the Fists) is quite close to the Campo San Barnaba, discussed above. The name comes from the local tradition of fist fights between rival neighborhoods, with the goal of throwing the bad guys into the water below. In 1705 a particularly bitter battle went from fists to knives and consequently the fights were banned.

by: Levi Reiss

POST COMMENT

Unbelievable Tourist Attractions To Book Flights To Amman Favourite Tourists Attractions In Rio Classifications Of Tourist Attractions In India India Tour Packages: Filled With Numerous Exciting Attractions Cape Town-myriad Attractions! Taj Mahal Tour: Cover The Multiple Attractions Of The City Several Topic Thoughts Intended For Attraction Earrings Notable Tourist Attractions To Grab Cheap Flights To Kathmandu Cabs In Jaipur Popular Tourist Attractions Of Jaipur Cabs In Jaipur Extravagantly Beautiful Jaipur Attractions Car Rental Rajasthan Popular Tourist Attractions Of Jaipur Car Rental Rajasthan Extravagantly Beautiful Jaipur Attractions Ltc Packages Popular Tourist Attractions Of International