Nature and History on a Lagoon Scenario
Just a stone's throw from La Serenissima we find a multitude of itineraries crossing luxuriant green nature, skirting quiet rivers, passing old towns and fabulous villas. The Venice Lagoon is an enchanting backdrop to a spectacle of nature and historic architecture
From South to North: Brenta Villas, Tiepolo Territories, Cavallino Landscapes
The Brenta Riviera. This riverbank area is famous for its luxurious aristocratic villas, built here from the 1500s to the 1700s. The rise of these splendid, renowned villas, symbols of Venetian wealth and prosperity throughout that period, was linked to the important role played by the River Brenta, which was a major trade route. Some of the best contemporary architects and painters were involved in the building of the villas, including Palladio and Pellegrini. One of the Riviera's beauty spots is the Valle Averto, an immense green area, protected by the WWF, in an authentic wildlife oasis. A charming annual event not to be missed is the historic “Riviera Fiorita” pageant: on the second Sunday in September, over 1,100 participants in period costume take part in a festive procession from the municipality of Stra as far as Malcontenta, winding along the river banks of these splendid scenarios of magnificent villas and gardens installed along the airy, gleaming River Brenta.
Tiepolo Territories. This area takes its name from the famous family of artists who lived here in the 1700s. The territory has always been considered an offshoot of flourishing Venice, reflecting its society, its customs, the quest for beauty in art and a refined but low-key lifestyle. Apart from Villa Tiepolo, the other noble residences of that time include Villa Belvedere and Villa XXV Aprile, at Merano, with a romantic 1800s construction called the Castelletto; then there is Villa Farsetti at Santa Maria di Sala, Torre dei Tempesta at Noale, and Villa Romanin-Jacur at Salzano. The latter gave its name to the historic silk mill, closed in the 1900s, and recently reopened. Today it is classified as an industrial archaeology site. One of the traditional rendezvous worth catching in this area is the extremely famous “Zogo de l’Oca” at Mirano. It is a unique folklore event held twice a year: in November and on 25 April, to celebrate St Mark, patron saint of Venice. Other interesting events include the 1300s Palio dei Tempesta, at Noale (June), the Feste Cortesi and the Palio dei Sala, at Santa Maria di Sala, and regular modern musical and cultural “Ubi Jazz” event, held through the summer in various municipalities.
The Cavallino Peninsula. The distinguishing features of this peninsula are its splendid beaches of shimmering sand. The Cavallino shore is natural, quite wild and untouched, with seawater rich in iodine, which is extremely therapeutic, while the sand, called “dolomia”, is especially suitable for sand therapy. Every year this peninsula, so close to the heart of writer Herman Hesse, celebrates the fruits of the earth, including its green asparagus grown in the sand here and which has its own “Sagra dea Sparesea”, a fun fete that opens the summer season of gastronomic, cultural and popular events.
Another area worth visiting is Mestre, which is on the mainland and is connected to Venice by the Ponte della Libertà bridge. Mestre’s iconic monument is the Civic Tower, the last surviving testimony of its ancient walls, castle and the other ten towers that fortified the entire town. Around Mestre there are churches, ancient fortresses and typical piazzas that tell of La Serenissima’s noble past, dating back to Roman times.
From North to South: the Tourist Ports and the Islands: Caorle, Jesolo and Chioggia
Caorle. This former island is now the location of the Santa Margherita marina and a small hamlet with criss-crossing “calli” (tiny lanes) and “campielli” (small piazzas), full of pretty pastel-coloured houses. The atmosphere in this little town, with its central canal, is one of great tranquillity, yet it offers lots of leisure activities with its water theme park, golf course and all kinds of sports facilities. Caorle was built in the 5th century AD and still has its Cathedral, the Madonna dell’Angelo church, with two prodigious artworks: a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and a crucifix. Ernest Hemingway was inspired by and spent some time here.
Jesolo. Nature and fun at the province of Venice’s liveliest marina. Apart from its beaches, Jesolo offers a whole range of day and night-time entertainment for all ages. Its main feature is the huge pedestrian precinct (Europe’s biggest), and there are an infinity of facilities: water theme parks, spas, golf courses and tennis courts, to mention just a few. Moreover, it is an excellent starting point for walks in the quiet, green countryside round about, and for excursions into the lagoon and its hinterland.
Chioggia. A busy seaside resort, with three picturesque canals that cross it from north to south. The most important is the Vena, with nine bridges and lined by porticoed buildings, as well as being the site of the historic fish market. Chioggia still has its ancient Venetian-style buildings, which are both historically and artistically fascinating, including the Duomo, the Gothic church of San Martino and several 16th-century palazzos.
The Islands: Venice Lido, the island that extends out of the capital and, together with the island of Pellestrina, closes off the lagoon. It is the terminus for the ferries out to the other islands, including Pellestrina, a slim strip of land, 11 kilometres in length, floating between the lagoon and the sea, hallmarked by its sand dunes and tall cane beds, protected by the famous artificial breakwater built by the historic Republic of Venice in the 1700s for defence purposes; Torcello, dating back to the 1st century AD, with its eye-catching belfry and cathedral; Burano, with its enormous and unique Piazza Galoppi, home of the singular Lace-making School-Museum; Murano, famous worldwide for its glass, and with a lovely Museum of Glass that exhibits some exquisite items; Sant’Erasmo, with its ancient iconic and breathtaking Torre Massimiliana, a tower soaring over the “bacan” beach, famous with the Venetians who traditionally go there to let their hair down.
