The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is the main artery of  Venice. Since Venice is a collection of 118 islands located in a shallow lagoon, the most convenient method of travelling is by means of the 150 canals which link the city's six districts ("sestieri") to the Grand Canal. If you travel to Venice by train, the Grand Canal starts almost immediately as you leave the station.

 The best way to see many of the sights is to travel along the entire length of the Grand Canal in one of the municipal ferries. Since the Grand Canal has always been Venice's main thoroughfare, it is perfectly natural that many of its finest buildings should line its banks.

For example, downstream from the church of Santa Lucia near the railway station, the San Simeone Piccolo, a domed 18th century church modelled on the Pantheon, is located on the left bank, immediately before the first bridge, the Ponte degli Scalzi.

The church of San Geremia with its distinctive campanile is located a little further on at the junction of the Grand and Canareggio canals;  the Palazzo Labia, famous for its Tiepolo frescos, stands next to it.

The junction of the Grand and Canareggio Canals © rglinsky - FOTOLIA

A short distance after this junction, the twin Gothic towers of the Fondaco dei Turchi, the former Turkish embassy which now houses the Venice Museum of Natural History, are to be found on the right bank. The unfinished 18th century facade of the church of San Marcuola stands on the opposing left bank.

The Grand Canal then curves gently southwards past the richly decorated facade of the baroque church of San Stae, a popular concert venue, and  the graceful Gothic arches of the Palazzo Sagredo and the Ca' d'Oro, the famous golden house of Venice.

The canal then makes a sharp ninety degree turn at the point known as the "volta", before passing under its second bridge, the world-famous Rialto. The Palazzo Barizza, which still possesses its original 13th century facade, is located on the right bank, just after the bridge.

Shortly before it executes its second 90 degree turn, the canal passes, on its right bank, the Palazzo Garzoni, a Gothic mansion now occupied by University of Venice, and the 18th century Palazzo Mocenigo, formerly home to Lord Byron.

The Neo-classical facade of the Palazzo Grassi on the right bank contrasts with the elaborate baroque style of the Ca'Rezzonico on the left bank: Image published under GNU Free Documentation Licence

Having straightened out, the canal travels between two famous contrasting palaces: the Palazzo Grassi, a cultural centre with a splendid 18th century neo-classical design, and the Ca' Rezzonico, an elaborate baroque creation which now houses a prestigious museum.

The Grand Canal then executes its third and final 90 degree turn, passing between the enchanting 17th century Palazzo Capello Malipiero, which stands alongside the church of San Samuele, notable for its distinctive campanile, and the baroque facade of the Accademia .

The final straight of the Grand Canal© David Macfarlane - FOTOLIA

The canal then passes under a third bridge, the Ponte dell'Accademia, before emerging on its final straight past the Palazzo Barbaro, where Henry James once resided, and the Palazzo Gritti-Pisani, one of the city's most prestigious hotels. The Palazzo Dario, whose facade is decorated with coloured marbles, and  the single storey Palazzo Veneri dei Leoni, now home to the Peggy Guggenheim museum, are located on the opposing right bank.

The canal then passes the monumental domed church of the Maria della Salute, and the customs house, which is topped by an exquisite bronze weathervane, before it flows into the San Marco Basin, the open stretch of water adjacent to the Piazza San Marco and Doges Palace.

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