Canareggio, Venice

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Fondest memory: "Taking a different route" is what its all about in Venice. The joy of discovery is around every corner. The day we had planned to visit Burano and Murano we realized that the long route might be the most interesting. We boarded the west bound Number 52 vaporetto at the Zattere stop and took a long looping cruise around the western end of Venice with its railroad yards, car parks and oddly contemporary buildings. Eventually we reentered the Grand Canal at the Santa Lucia Train Station and then turned left up the Canale di Cannaregio.

I recently read that only three waterways in Venice had the status of "canal"...the Giudecca, the Grand and the Cannaregio. The Cannaegio is definitely the narrowest of the three and perhaps because of this appears to be the busiest. The #52 vaporettos are smaller and lower in the water than most. The rationale for this became clear as we started weaving our way through the canal, even backing up at one point. Lining both sides were delivery barges unloading produce and other market goods. At some points the chop in the water was quite dramatic.

The bridge in the photo is the Ponte delle Guglie built in the 16th century. Its array of faces along the arch and the obelisks at either end make it very distinctive. Quite interesting but, in my mind, not nearly as captivating as the glimpse of everyday Venetian life we were experiencing.

Favorite thing: JEWISH GHETTO
At the Campo Ghetto Nuovo, in Canareggio, near the Railway Station. In the 16th century, the city of Venice decreed that Jews should live in one part of the city, called the 'Ghetto Nuovo.' This was the first ghetto in Europe, and today is a still active Jewish community. Wander through the streets narrow streets, and stop in to the Jewish Museum, Museo della Communita Isralitica, (includes a kosher cafe) as well as three synagogues, Scola Canton, Scola Italian, and Scola Levantina.

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Favorite thing: under construction