San Croce: District and Attractions.
San Croce: District and Attractions. San Croce and the Tronchetto; lay mostly on land reclaimed in 10th century Venice. The area was once part of the Luprio swamp.
It is the smallest of the six districts of Venice and derives its name from the original church and annexed monastery, that was demolished at the beginning of the 9th century, that is now the Giardino Papadopoli; a terraced garden filled with shade trees, opposite the Venice Santa Lucia train station.
The area includes Piazzale Roma, Venice’s main terminal and one of the few places in the city accessible by car, bus or tramlink. It’s a district of contrasts, between the bustle of transport hubs and the serenity of quiet canals, narrow backstreets and charming squares, and said to be the most authentically Venetian, in its real life character.
I have included a Walking Tour, which covers some of the main attractions and demonstrates the contrasting nature of the district, and would be a great way to spend half a day.
Main Attractions of the San Croce District
Suggsted Walking Tour of Santa Croce
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Main Attractions of the San Croce District
The district includes the Piazzale Roma, home to Venice’s bus station and car parks and is the only area of the city in which cars and buses can travel. It is a square at at the entrance of the city located at the end of the Ponte della Libertà road bridge, linking Venice to the mainland. There are convenient bus links to both Venice Marco Polo and Treviso Airports.
Next to the Piazza Roma is the Tronchetto (Isola nuova), an artificial island created in the 1960’s and used as a car parking facility. The Venice “People Mover” a mono-rail cable car transport system, started operating in 2010 connecting Piazzale Roma with the city’s Tronchetto island; via a stop above the Marittima cruise terminal. The whole 870-metre-long journey takes three minutes.
The Ponte della Costituzione (Constitution Bridge), commonly referred to as the Calatrava Bridge, is the fourth bridge over the Grand Canal; connecting connecting Stazione di Santa Lucia or Railway Station to Piazzale Roma Bus Terminal. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened to the public in 2008.
San Croce is the smallest of the six districts of Venice and derives its name from the original church and annexed monastery, that was demolished at the beginning of the 9th century. They were replaced by the Giardino Papadopoli, a terraced garden filled with shade trees opposite the Venice Santa Lucia train station; which is in the most western part of Cannaregio.
A bridge over the Grand Canal, the Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Discalced or Barefoot), links the concourse in front of the railway station with the district of Santa Croce.
The tourist attractions lie mostly in the eastern part of the quarter and include the four churches of San Simeone Piccolo (opposite the railway station and one of the last churches built in Venice), San Nicolo da Tolentino, San Giacomodell’Orio, San Zan Degola.
It was built in 1718-38 by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto in the emerging Neoclassical style. San Simeone is modelled on the Pantheon with a temple-front pronaos, but with a peaked dome recalling Longhena’s more embellished and prominent Santa Maria della Salute church. The centralised circular church design and the metal dome recalls Byzantine models and San Marco, though the numerous centrifugal chapels are characteristic of Post-Tridentine churches.
The pediment of the entrance has a marble relief depicting “The Martyrization of the Saints” by Francesco Penso, known as “il Cabianca”. Saint Simon was apparently the martyred cousin of Christ, martyred as a Jew by the Romans. The mass is celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.
The Chiesa di San Nicolò da Tolentino, commonly known as the Tolentini, (photo below left) lies in a campo of the same name and along the Rio dei Tolentini, close to the Giardino Papadopoli.
Venice had been the home of the Order of the Theatines who arrived in Venice in 1527, after the Sack of Rome. The church dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino was begun in 1590 by Vincenzo Scamozzi. The relationship between Scamozzi and his patrons was stormy and the church was only finally completed in 1714. It is a large church with a huge freestanding Corinthian portico, the only one in Venice designed by Andrea Tirali.
The church contains the tomb of Doge Giovanni I Corner, Francesco Corner, Giovanni II Corner, and Paolo Renier. The funereal monument of the Patriarch of Venice, Giovan Francesco Morosini (d.1678) in the chancel, was completed by the Genovese sculptor Filippo Parodi. The baroque organ was constructed by Pietro Nacchini in 1754.
To the north-east of San Croce can be found the Chiesa di San Giacomo dall’Orio, also known as San Giacomo Apostolo (St James the Apostle).
The origin of the church’s name is unknown. Several possibilities include being named after a laurel (lauro) that once stood nearby, a version of dal Rio (“of the river”), or once standing on an area of dried-up swamp (luprio). It was founded in the 9th century and rebuilt in 1225. The campanile dates from this period. There have been a number of revisions since that time (including a major renovation in 1532) and the ship’s keel roof dates from the 14th century. Two of the columns were brought back from the Fourth Crusade, after the sacking of Constantinople.
San Giacomo dall’Orio is a parish church of the Vicariate of San Polo-Santa Croce-Dorsoduro. It was also the parish church of the painter Giambattista Pittoni who was buried there in 1767. The other churches in the parish are the churches of San Stae and San Zan Degolà. Significant artworks to be seen are Francesco Bassano’s “Madonna in Glory and St John the Baptist preaching” in the new sacristy, the latter including portraits of Bassano’s family and Titian.Lorenzo Lotto’s “Madonna and Four Saints”. the altarpiece of the high altar and Paolo Veneziano’s painted “Crucifix hanging in front of the high altar”, Veronese’s “Allegory of Faith” and “The Doctors of the Church”, on the ceiling of the new sacristy (or possibly by Veronese’s workshop).
The Fondaco dei Turchi (Turks Inn), is an impressive Veneto-Byzantine style palazzo on the Grand Canal, opposite the San Marcuola water-bus stop. The palace was constructed in the first half of the 13th Century by Giacomo Palmier, an exile from Pesaro. The Venetian Republic purchased it in 1381 for Niccolò II d’Este, the Marquess of Ferrara.
From the early 17th century through to 1838, it served as a ghetto for Venice’s Ottoman Turkish population. The fondaco (Arab: fonduk) served as a combination home, warehouse and market for the Turkish traders; just as the Fondaco dei Tedeschi served as headquarters and restricted living quarters for Germanic foreigners. Restrictions were placed on its residents, including certain times one was able to enter and leave the ghetto; as well as on trading. Venetian Turk’s imports included wax, crude oil, and wool.
After the Venetian Republic was conquered and abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797, the Turkish traders continued to live in the palazzo until 1838. The building was in a very bad state by the mid-19th century, and was completely restored between 1860-1880. Innovations added to the original Veneto-Byzantine design, include a grand tower on either side of the building.
Suggested Walking Tour of Santa Croce
It’s a district of contrasts, between the bustle of transport hubs and the serenity of quiet canals, narrow backstreets and charming squares, and said to be the most authentically Venetian, in its real life character.
Start the walk at the Piazzale Roma Bus Terminal:
- The busy main access point to the district and serves as a hub for transportation and local amenities. The modern Ponte della Costituzione (or Calatrava Bridge) links it to the Santa Lucia Railway Station.
Campo dei Tolentini and its Church:
- A short distance to the east is the first point of interest
- Visit the Church of San Nicola da Tolentino, known for its Baroque façade and cannonball embedded in the wall; a relic from the 1849 Austrian bombardment.
- The modernistic structure of the University of Architecture, can be seen to one side of the campo.
Explore the Giardino Papadopoli:
- A public urban park that has been restored to its former glory, offering a peaceful and shaded retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. Originally the site of the Santa Croce church.
- Stroll along the Fondamente San Simeon Piccolo, running along the south side of the Grand Canal and directly opposite the Railway Station.
Visit the Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo:
- This imposing Neoclassical church is modelled on the Pantheon and features a striking dome and an ancient crypt; offering a unique glimpse into Venetian history.
The Ponte degli Scalzi:
- You are next to the arched stone Bridge, offering great views of the Grand Canal in both directions.
- Admire San Simeon’s striking green dome.
- From the bridge proceed south down the narrow lane and take the first small bridge on the left, to cross the Rio Marin, into the Campo Simeon Profeta.
The Church of San Simeon Grande:
- Entering the Campo Simeon Profeta, you can admire the church of San Simeon Grande
- Behind the church take the narrow lanes in an easterly direction that runs behind the Grand Canal. Head towards the small Campo San Giovanni Decollato with its Church of San Zan Degola, just a few metres behind the Grand Canal.
- A few metres north on the Grand Canal is the imposing Fondaco dei Turchi.
The Fondaco dei Turchi:
- A historic and imposing originally13th century building, once used by Turkish merchants on the Grand Canal, is now home to the Giancarlo Ligabue Natural History Museum. Their collections, relate mainly to the natural history of the Venetian lagoon; that surrounds the city.
- Behind the museum and running due south, take the Calle Larga and in about 200 metres, enter the Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio from the north.
The Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio:
- One of Venice’s most beloved squares, frequented by local sand a great place to relax
- Visit San Giacomo dell’Orio Church, with its ship’s keel ceiling and Renaissance paintings by Lotto and Veronese.
- From the southern end of the Campo, enter the Corte Anatoma, then immediately into the Campo d Strope, which feeds into the Campo N Sauro.
End of the Walking Tour Options:
- On the left of the Campo N Sauro. take a short lane onto the Rio Marin Canal. Head north along the Fondamenta Rio Marin, back up to the Ponte degli Scalze.
- Take the Ferrovia vaporetto, situated over the Scalzi bridge, or retrace your steps back to Giardino Papadopoli and finally the Piazzale Roma.
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Please click on the links below, to see my other 6 related “Districts and Attractions” posts:-
Districts and Attractions: Introduction
San Marco: District and Attractions
Castello: District and Attractions
Dorsoduro: District and Attractions
Cannaregio: District and Attractions
San Polo: District and Attractions
Back to the “Venice – Districts and Attraction” blog post page
Introduction to Venice A great starting point to develop your understanding and enjoyment of this historic city and its lagoon environment. If you are planning a trip, or on limited time once there; this post will maximise your appreciation and enjoyment of this unique aquatic city.
Piazzale Roma Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma Bus Terminal, links the historic city of Venice to the mainland via the “Ponte della Libertà” road bridge. It is located on the south bank of the Grand Canal, close to its western end; in the district of Santa Croce. It provides access for motor vehicles, including buses, cars, and taxis, as well as local trams from Mestre. The square also houses the “Venice People Mover,” an elevated public transit system in operation since 2010, which links Piazzale Roma with the Marittima cruise terminal and Tronchetto island.
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San Croce: District and Attractions San Croce: District and Attractions San Croce: District and Attractions