 All
around the Venice region we find "osterie e bacari",
taverns that also provide ready-made dishes including saòr,
bigoi in salsa, tripe, liver alla veneziana, fish fries, as
well as the typical "cicheto" (a morsel on a stick).
This sestiere runs to the east of the Rio di San Polo to tha
Rialto.
 San
Polo has been the liveliest quarter of venice since the 11th
century when it became the centre for the city's markets, when
the market was moved here from Campo San Bartolomeo. The present
layout of the market and adjacent buildings is the result of
an overall reconstruction projet by Scarpagnino after a fire
in 1514, which destroyed the whole area.
 At
the foot of the Rialto Bridge, where the tourist stalls are
thick on the ground, stands - to the left - the Palazzo dei
Dieci Savi, which housed the city's tax-inspectors, and - to
the right - the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi, which housed the finance
department.
Beyond, the small church of San Giacomo di Rialto (known affectionately
as San Giacometto) is generally agreed to be the first of the
city's churches, tradition has it that it was founded in AD
421. All around it stretch the markets, around which commercial
and administrative buildings and areas of low-cost housing for
the traders mushroomed after trade was shifted from the other
side of the canal.
The larger streets and squares are named after the merchandise
that is still sold there (Naranzeria - oranges; Casaria - cheese;
Speziali - spices; Erberia - vegetables). |
Not to be missed
Rialto Bridge
San Giacomo di Rialto
Palazzo dei Camerlenghi
Fabbriche Nuove
Chiesa di San Cassiano
Chiesa di Sant'Aponal
Campo San Polo
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
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| Paola -
Guide editor |
 Riva
dell'Ogio. Under the Venetian Republic, the largest stores
of oil for heating and lighting were stored here ('ogio' is
a dialect term for oil).
Sotoportego
del Banco giro. The first public bank started here.
Fondamente
de la preson. Minor offences like debt were punished here
('preson' is a dilect term for prison).
Calle
dei Boteri. This was where the master coopers made the oil
barrels. The Doge greatly appreciated these coopers ('Boteri'
is a dialect term fro 'cooper').
Campo
de le Becarie. There were many different butchers' shops
here. 'Becaria' derives from 'Becco' or 'billy goat', which
was meat that was butchered and sold here ('becher' is a dialect
term for 'butcher').
Rio
Terà de le Carampane. The carampane were 'ladies
of disrepute' who plied their trade in this area from the fifteenth
century.
Ramo
del Forner. This refers to the legend of Fornaretto, a young
baker's boy who was unjustly accused of murder. It probably
served as a reminder to the Dogal authorities of the unjust
execution of Fornaretto.
Calle
dei Saoneri. In sixteenth century Venice there were more
than 25 soap factories. This industry was the envy of the whole
world ('saoneri' is a dialect term for 'soapmakers'). |
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San Polo is the smallest area. In this district it was customery
to 'live over the shop', i.e. dwellings and workplaces were often
combined.
