GRAND CANAL, Fourth Part

Isn't it amazing passing through the shadow of the Rialto Bridge? Just think, millions of people cross this bridge every year! To your left, the Rialto pier was where the historic Ferro shore was once located, where German merchants' ships unloaded their goods for the nearby Fondaco. A Fondaco is a building in a seaside town that is used as a warehouse and provides accommodations to foreign merchants. 

The Vin Shore starts from right here, and is the only decent stretch of the Grand Canal where you can stroll along its shore, which is why it's full of bars with tables and awnings.

Among the palaces on your left, don't miss lose the thirteenth century Ca' Farsetti and Loredan Palace, which are connected by a small bridge: these two buildings make up the town hall.

Once the Vin Shore has ended, shortly after the San Silvestro jetty, you'll see the sixteenth century Papadopoli Palace, which can be recognized by the obelisks on its roof. But don't get too distracted, because coming up is the austere Grimani Palace, built by a military architect around the mid-1500s. It currently houses the Appeals Court, and it's interesting to note that Venice still provides all its official functions in historic buildings which can be accessed from the water! In front of the buildings you can still see the mooring poles with the colors of the coats of arms of the palaces' original families!

On the same side, just before the Sant'Angelo jetty, you can see Corner Spinelli Palace, an elegant and bright building from the late 1400s. Almost opposite it is the Baroque Pisani Moretta Palace, with beautifully decorated rooms that you can visit if it is open for an event.

But now hold on tight: in a very scenic point entirely surrounded by sixteenth century palaces, the Grand Canal narrows and sharply turns; you've reached the "volta di Canal", which is almost a U-turn that announces the approach of the grand finale. To the right, almost one after the other, two formidable giants will appear before you. The first is the fifteenth century Ca' Foscari, seat of the city's University that can be recognized for its loggia with eight arches; then at the corner with San Barnaba you'll see the grandiose Ca' Rezzonico and its 18th-century Venetian Museum.

San Samuele Church is just in front of you; note its beautiful, ancient Romanesque bell tower.

FUN FACT: did you know that Palazzo Papadopoli is Italy's first 7 star hotel? It was even chosen by George Clooney for the huge party he held the night before his wedding to Amal Clooney!