Castello

Castello (Pagnatti)

Castello begins just behind the Palazzo San Marco and encompasses the island’s east side.  In the central area of the district there are several campos and scuola grandis which have been converted into hospitals, shops and schools.  The Arsenale (highlighted in blue) lies in the middle of the district, a symbol to the glory and power of Venice’s Imperial Age.

In what is referred to as the Eastern Districts, there are several public venues including the Campo Sportif (highlighted in green), a public sports arena.  There is also an extensive amount of open space and public gradens dominated by the Giardini Publica.  Castello is primarily a residential community, but a commercial area, the Via Garibaldi, has developed in the Eastern Districts.  The far eastern edge of the island is fairly rundown, especially the island of San Pietro Castello, which specializes in boat maintenance.  The Naval College is also located on the eastern tip of Venice.

Giardini Publica (Michelin)

Scuola di San Giorgio (Michelin)

The Greek quarter, a remnant of the eastern merchants that inhabited the area in the Imperial Age, is found in the center of Castello.  The Orthodox Church, San Girogi dei Greci and the Scuola di San Giorgio delgi Schiavoni reflect the Grecian culture.  The College Flangini in the quarter concentrates on Byzantine and Post Byzantine studies.  San Francesco della Vigna an example of sacred space supposedly built on the ground where the angel appeared to St. Mark, bidding him peace.