Venice Unveiled: Art, History and Hidden Corners｜Italy

Begin your walk at Santa Maria della Pietà, also known as the Church of the Pietà. Learn about this refined Baroque church, which is closely linked to Antonio Vivaldi, who taught and composed music here for the orphaned girls of the adjacent institution.

From there, take a pleasant stroll along the panoramic Riva degli Schiavoni. Enjoy sweeping views over the lagoon, with boats gliding across the water. The path leads toward the historic Venetian Arsenal, the formidable shipbuilding complex that once powered Venice’s maritime supremacy.

Venture into a quieter residential district and reach San Martino, a peaceful church that preserves a genuine neighborhood atmosphere, far from the busiest tourist routes. Nearby stands the remarkable Scuola Dalmata dei Santi Giorgio e Trifone, a small yet extraordinary confraternity house renowned for its impressive cycle of paintings by Vittore Carpaccio, illustrating vibrant scenes of saints and legends.

As you continue through the narrow calli, pass beneath the evocative Sotoportego de la Pietra Rossa, a hidden passage that reflects the intimate and mysterious character of Venice’s urban fabric. The route proceeds to the majestic San Francesco della Vigna, a Renaissance masterpiece partly designed by Jacopo Sansovino and later completed with a striking façade by Andrea Palladio. Its harmonious proportions and tranquil cloister provide a serene moment of reflection.

Conclude your walk in the impressive Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, one of the largest and most monumental squares in the city. Dominated by the grand Basilica and framed by historic buildings, it embodies the spiritual and civic grandeur of Venice.