Discover the true heart of Venice through a walking tour in the authentic Dorsoduro district, a lesser-known area brimming with history, character, and architectural beauty. As you move away from the typical tourist routes, you’ll uncover hidden alleys, quiet squares, majestic palaces, and fascinating churches that reveal the city’s local charm. Begin your journey at the Carmini Church, a Gothic cathedral from the 14th century that gained fame through appearances in films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Summertime. Nearby, see the remains of a historic residence known as the “House of Othello,” once home to the noble Moro family. Continue on to Palazzo Zenobio, a spectacular Baroque palace considered one of the most important examples of late Venetian architectural design, both inside and out. Next, visit the Church of Angelo Raffaele, unique in Venice for having two bell towers. Legend holds that the church was built in 416 CE to fulfill a sacred vow, and its surrounding area is still filled with local life, including children playing in the narrow calli. Your guide then leads you to San Nicolò dei Mendicoli, a 12th-century church with wooden interiors and a Veneto-Byzantine bell tower. It once served as the meeting place for local fishermen, who ceremonially elected their own symbolic doge. Later, walk toward San Basilio, formerly the arrival point for steamships in the 1800s. Admire the views over the Canale della Giudecca, where Giudecca Island stands across the water, crowned by the impressive Mulino Stucky, now a grand hotel. End your tour at the striking Punta della Dogana, a triangular promontory between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal. Housed in an old customs building, it now serves as a contemporary art museum and connects iconic sites like Santa Maria della Salute and the Venetian Seminary, forming one of the city’s most photogenic and meaningful intersections.

A-Activ-27sep2025-208