Walking East away from the crowds of St Mark’s square and the glittering palaces of the Grand Canal in Italy you reach the Castello Quarter or sestiere, a quieter area, with few tourists and where every day life is lived by the Venetians.
Typical courtyard at the edge of the canal.
A canal in the Castello, with smaller unpretentious houses.
Boats, rather than cars lined up outside people’s homes.
Washing drying flapping in the streets above pedestrians’ heads.
A floating greengrocer’s on the canal.
Weather beaten, typically green shutters.
A different view of St Mark’s, The Doge’s Palace and the entrance to the Grand Canal
The entrance to the Arsenal, a huge area of shipyards and armouries, and the largest industrial complex in Europe prior to the Industrial Revolution.
The square by the entrance to the Arsenal.
Imposting gateway to the Arsenal
Smaller, more modest houses in the Castello
Window boxes of fresh herbs – thyme, chives and sage
An old man in his open air street workshop,keeping woodwork traditions alive, but lamenting the fact that these days the younger generation have little interest in learning these skills
The “Oven” Road – is there a baker near to here?
Flying the red flag in this sleepy Venetian quarter
Street so narrow you can reach out and shake your neighbour’s hand when hanging out your laundry
Fuss Free Flavours travelled to Italy with Cirio
Corin - ProWare Kitchen
Wow Helen, such lovely photos!
Helen
Thanks Corin. I feel it is hard to take bad photos in Venice.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry
Helen, The Castello in Venice looks like such an amazing spot. I am almost there with you in the pics. I am a sucker for markets, canals and statues. Next time you go I am going with you.
Helen
It was amazing Bintu, I do adore Venice and you always discover something new.
Gary
Lovely! Did you eat in this area Helen? What was there?
Helen
We ate at Dai Tosi in my first Venice post Gary.
Jacqueline
Oh I have to go one day. Beautiful photos Helen. I almost feel I am there.
Helene @Croque-Maman
Thank you so much for this little virtual tour! It looks like such an amazing surreal city. I hope you had a lovely time and that you enjoyed all the amazing food you must have had there!!!
Helen
I did not stop eating. I absolutely adore Venice. Cannot wait to go back again.
Ren Behan
Adore Venice – beautifully sunny shots of a magical city.
Helen
the weather was amazingly good Ren, sunny, but not too hot or humid. It was the perfect time of year.
Fish Fingers for tea
Gorgeous photos Helen, I am most envious!
Jeanne @ Cooksister
Oh you make me long for Venice…. Gorgeous shots and I love the floating greengrocer!
Helen
thank you Jeanne. I cannot wait to go back. I might have been researching Air BnBs yesterday.
Claire @foodiequine
Fantastic post! I’m heading to Venice for the first time at the start of July. Haven’t been thinking about it much as also need to get prepared for a big building project and new kitchen, but this has got me excited and enthused. Thanks !
Helen
Thank you Claire, I really recommend all the restaurants that I visited. Have a wonderful time.
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
Helen these shots are magical!
Helen
Thank you so much Mardi
Sally - My Custard Pie
Exquisite pics Helen – I long to go there.
Helen
Thank you Sally. We went at absolutely the perfect time of year. Simply blissful.
Urvashi
Gorgeous images Helen. Sounds like a lovely trip
Helen
thank you Urvashi, I do so love Venice!
Katie Bryson
Wow helen, that’s just taken me on a magical journey away from my desk on a lethargic friday afternoon! Wonderful photography of a beautiful city… I especially love the floating green grocers!
Helen
It was the most amazing trip. Venice is so magical.
Life Loving
Absolutely love your photos. You could have been visiting Venice many years ago, the way the culture and the heritage comes through. Another place to add to my must-see list. This list is getting looooong!
Sally @ Life Loving
Helen
Thank you Sally, everyone should go to Venice several ties in their life.
Luca Marchiori
I love the Castello sestiere, where one can still find the real Venice. One of my favourite places in the church of San Pietro in Castello, right on the edge. It’s a massive church, once the catholic cathedral of Venice, but its built in what looks like a field. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures!
Helen
I love Venice so much Luca, I’d not been for over 20 years, but felt welcomed back with open arms. Such a special city.
Michelle Stokes
Venice is on my bucket list of places to visit, as a child my Nan would romanticised about the place and tell me stories of her travels (always by boat and coach as she was afraid to fly). Seeing your pictures showing the colours and beauty has made me even more determined o go there.
Helen
Go! Flying into the airport is wonderful and then you arrive by river bus, arriving in Venice over the water is the only way to get there.