The San Polo District

The San Polo district

A stop on the Venice audio-guided tour, the San Polo district is one of the oldest in the city and above all the smallest of its six districts. According to tradition, it was in this area spared by floods that the first inhabitants settled in Antiquity.

A commercial heart

A true centre of human and commercial life from its beginnings, the San Polo district saw the early birth of the Rialto market, a Venetian reference still appreciated. With its shops and restaurants, the district retains a lively and bustling side, around one of the most famous bridges in the city.

What to see

Between the Rialto bridge, the basilica dei Frari and the lovely hidden palaces and churches, San Polo abounds in treasures to discover along its alleys. Let yourself be carried along by the authentic atmosphere of this district, the cradle of the original Venice.

Practical information

The San Polo district is in the heart of Venice, west of the Rialto bridge. Freely accessible, it can be walked at any time.

Why is San Polo an old district ?

According to tradition, the first inhabitants of Venice settled there in Antiquity, sheltered from floods.

What enlivens the San Polo district ?

The Rialto market, its shops and restaurants, around the famous Rialto bridge.