SANTA MARTA
Santa Marta, very close to Piazzale Roma.
Santa Marta is a very green area, one of the oldest and a very Venetian one.
Recently the University of Venice has bought one of the old buildings to establish a new department of the architecture faculty. Consequently the entire area has received a “blow of fresh air” which has made of it a more comfortable and enjoyable one.
Two old churches of Santa Marta have to be mentioned:
San Nicolò dei Mendicoli
One of the oldest in Venice, it was built in the 7th century, the bell tower is newer (13th C.).
The ancient parts consists of the central apse and the capitals of the columns, as well as the basilica-like plan; the portico, one of the recurring features of religious edifices in Venice, was where the poor could beg and penitents could present their prayers. There is a fine 16th century organ and paintings of the School of Veronese.
Angelo Raffaele
The church was founded in the 7th century though the present edifice is the work of the architect Francesco Contino. A fine Lombardesque sculpture can be admired in a niche above the portal; it is attributed to Sebastiano Mariani (early 16th century) and depicts the patron saint, the Archangel Raphael with Tobiolo. In the interior, on the organ railing is Stories of Tobolo a masterpiece attributed to Francesco Guardi.
The cruising terminal is at walking distance as the Zattere and Santa Margherita square are.
Santa Margherita square is a center of night life, the numerous bars are a meeting point for the young generation and a students preferred place. Bars are open till 2 am.
A long sunny walk along the Zattere is a ‘must’ when in Venice. It is a very long walk along the Giudecca canal. Once it harbored large flat boats transporting wood from a north part of the Region called Cadore. The wood was used to build the foundations of Venice which still now lays on that wood. That is why Venice is unique in the world. Most of the other goods needed by the town arrived at the Zattere, the very end of it is still called Punta della Dogana, the goods where selected by the customs and entered either the Grand Canal or the stores along the Zattere.
It might be helpful to remember that along the Zattere a well-stocked supermarket BILLA is open all days.
Santa Marta is also easily reachable and well served by the water bus.
From the S. Marta water bus stop, one can easily reach both Saint Mark’s square and Lido. Venice main square is at just one stop while Lido is at the end of the water bus line. Lido is the summer residence of Venetian people, in September it hosts the Film Festival.
Boats to the island of Murano frequently leave from S. Marta. The same boat goes to the airport.
HOW TO REACH THE HOUSE
- From the airport
The quickest and comfortable way is to catch taxi direttly to Santa Marta. Or the Alilaguna water shuttle which takes you directly to Zattere, where there will be someone of us waiting for you. Or one can catch the blue shuttle to Piazzale Roma, then the water-bus line 42 to the Giudecca island or 52 to Lido and reach Santa Marta in just one stop.
- From the railway station
water bus line 42 to the Giudecca island or 52 to Lido, get off at Santa Marta, only two stops away.
