In 1732 there was the need for new land to build the new part of the city and for the new harbour, so that the salt mills were abandoned and filled up, with the exception of that part that is now called "Canale Grande", surrouinded by nice buldings and used mainly as a port for small boats.
The canal was bigger in the past and was also partially filled up. They say that close to the church of Sant' Antonio, at the end of the canal, a sunken ship still remains under the concrete.

