SAN POLO, VENICE

Things to see and do in San Polo

Probably the true heart of Venice, a center for markets, shops, finance and with some superb art and sights..

San Polo is the smallest and oldest of Venice’s districts. The Rialto area of San Polo became important in 1097, when Venice’s market moved there. In the following century a boat bridge was set up across the Grand Canal providing access to it. This was soon replaced by the Rialto Bridge.

San Polo has been for many centuries, the financial and commercial heart of Venice. Most of the buildings in the Rialto were destroyed in a fire in 1514, the sole survivor being the church San Giacomo di Rialto.

Key sights in San Polo include the Rialto Bridge plus the ancient Rialto markets; for lovers of Tintoretto’s work, the Scuola Grande and church (chiesa) di San Rocco and more.