THE “CAMPI” OF VENICE
The “campi” of Venice are the equivalent of the squares in every other city with two big differences: children can play and have fun without run the risk of being knocked down by cars and no “lively” municipal administrations may intervene on the architectonical beauty or on the scenic dimension.
CAMPO SANTA MARGHERITA
This certainly is the most lively campo in the city, the last bastion of the social city, which is progressively dieing in favour of the tourist one. Bars and cafés skirt the whole campo, allowing young people, especially students, to assemble in joyful and noisy convivial meetings. Its peculiar shape dates back to the 19th century, thanks to the interment of some canals. In the middle of the campo stand a characteristic rectangular building that had been for various years the seat of political meetings and belonged to Varotari’s School (the Varotari were hide tanner). The university Auditorium is a prestigious cultural centre, the seat of important demonstrations and conferences and it is situated at the square entrance, coming from Piazzale Roma and from the train station.
CAMPO SANTO STEFANO
This is, in our opinion, the most beautiful campo of the city, so harmonic and suggestive. A marvellous palazzos frame makes it sumptuous, two Churches open and close it: the first, consecrated to the religion, is the Santo Stefano Church with the two Tintoretto’s paintings and the Vivarini’s polyptych ; the second, San Vitale, is consecrated to the tourist music, that even if made for tourists it is a very good music. In the middle of Campo Santo Stefano it stands out a monument dedicated to Nicolò Tommaseo, great essayist and independentist of the Risorgimento, by Venetian students lovingly called “books craper” ( photo 89K ) because of the pile of books that stays at his feet. In a cove of the campo there is the austere and prestigious Venetian conservatory, Benedetto Marcello, big furnace for musical talents.
CAMPO SAN POLO
The children’s campo! This campo is Venetian children’s joy, because here they may play safe and peaceful. Very far from this peace is 1548, the year in which Lorenzino De’ Medici was murdered in Campo San Polo by two killers hired by Cosimo De’ Medici. During the summer the campo is occupied by the open air cinema, a film festival culminating with the films screened at the Mostra del Cinema (Cinema Show) of the Venice Lido. Don’t miss the visit at the church of the same name, in which a way of the cross painted by Tiepolo’s son, Giandomenico, is remarkable.
CAMPO SAN TOM Á
CAMPO SAN LUCA
CAMPO MANIN
CAMPO SAN BARTOLOMIO
CAMPO SANT'ANGELO
CAMPO SANTI GIOVANNI E PAOLO
CAMPO SAN PIETRO
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