Venice, where I live, is the most beautiful city in the world: despite being extremely small, it hoards an impressive wealth of Art, Architecture and History, making it a truly unique place. For centuries, this was the capital city of an economic and military empire, ruling over maritime traffic (particularly with the East) and able to cope with formidable “competitors” such as the Ottoman Empire!

This is the smallest area. In this district it was customary to 'live over the shop', i.e. dwellings and workplaces were often combined. On the Rialto and everywhere else we find an old and noble Venetian vocation: that of good food. the enjoyment of food is honoured here, even in its most simple and popular forms. All around the area we find 'osterie and bacari', taverns that also provide ready-made dishes including saòr, bigoi, in salsa, tripe, liver alla veneziana, fish fries, as well as the typical 'cicheto' (a morsel on a stick). Rialto Bridge This is the oldest bridge and spans the Grand Canal. It probably dates back to 1172 and was originally in wood. In 1557 the Venetian Republic put out a tender for rebuilting the bridge in stone. The architects who competed for the tender includes Palladio and Sanmichieli. The tender was awarded by Antonio da Ponte and in 1591 the bridge was inaugurated Palace of Camerlenghi Located on the right of Rialto Bridge, the palace derives its name from the Camerlenghi, officials who were responsible for raising revenue for the Venetian Republic. The ground floor contained the cells of the tax evaders