Allow us to introduce you to the Venetian sestiere which is defined by its remarkable art galleries, museums, and cultural gems: Dorsoduro. This area, encompassing the southern part of the island, is rich in history and hosts some of the finest collections of art in the world.
As we head down into Dorsoduro from Piazzale Roma, one of the first landmarks we come to is Campo Santa Margherita, one of the largest squares in all of Venice. It is lined with bars and restaurants serving Venetian classics throughout the day operate alongside the fish and fresh produce market – a true hub of activity and local life. Just a few steps out from this square, we can see the first and noteworthy artistic spectacle: a mural by none other than Banksy, painted just before the opening of the 2019 Biennale.
We cannot talk about contemporary art in Dorsoduro without talking about The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of the most famous modern art collections worldwide that attracts visitors from around the globe. The palace itself where the Guggenheim Collection is housed – at one point known as the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni for the Venier family’s pet lion that used to reside there – is itself a spectacle, its gorgeous façade provides a spectacular view as you travel down the Grand Canal.
Conveniently located only a few minutes by foot from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, appreciators of fine contemporary art cannot skip a visit to the Punta Della Dogana. This meticulously curated gallery showcases masterpieces from the Pinault Collection together with another exhibition site located in Palazzo Grassi, completed in 1772 and which would end up being the final palace built on the Grand Canal before the fall of the Venetian Republic.
A short distance from the famous Academia Bridge – one of only three bridges that cross the Grand Canal – we will find Ca’ Rezzonico, an exquisite palace that houses a number of collections hosted on three floors plus an additional exhibition space in the mezzanine. From 18th century furniture and frescoes to the works of Pietro Longhi and the famous Ai Do San Marchi Pharmacy, it promises an enriching and memorable visit for all who pass through.
Heading to the southern-most edge of Venice, an area known as le Zattere, we are graced by a stunning view of the Giudecca Canal, a wide waterway bustling with merchant boats, taxis, vaporetti, and at times the large, impressive yachts of the wealthy who come to dock in Venice. At one end of the Zattere, we look across the Canal to see the impressive Hilton Molino Stucky Hotel, an ex-flour mill which was renovated at the turn of the millennium and transformed into a spectacular 5-star hotel.
At the opposite end, we come to the imposing dome of the Basilica del Redentore. This cathedral was built in the 16th century, completed at the end of a terrible plague that ravaged the city, and is now the focal point of Venice’s most important local celebration. Every July, a temporary bridge is put up across the Giudecca Canal which leads straight to the steps of the Basilica. The occasion is marked by making the pilgrimage across the bridge and spending the day lounging on your boat on the Giudecca Canal, waiting for the explosive finale to the day’s celebration: an impressive 30-minute-long fireworks show. It’s a spectacle not to be missed, especially by locals!
Of course, this is only a sample of the gems that await you in Dorsoduro. Want to learn more about this culturally and artistically rich neighborhood and discover why it’s a great place to purchase your own property? Get in touch with one of our experts to schedule a consultation.
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