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Grand Canal Venice - Travel Guide to the Canal GrandeAt two and a half miles long and up to 230 ft across, the Grand Canal (Canal Grande in Italian) is the largest and most important of Venice's 177 waterways. It begins in Venice's northwest, just outside the city's train station. It snakes its way through the archipelago of islands southeast, in a reverse "S" / "Z" shape. It finishes in San Marco Basin near Lido. Effectively the Grande Canal is Venice's high street. It is busy with boats most of the day. Both locals and tourists use it. It is the best means of getting around the city over longer distances. Along its banks you will find many of the city's most attractive and prestigious buildings. As your travel guide to Venice, we strongly recommend using the Vaporetto's along the Grand Canal. There is just no better way to see Venice. The cost of traveling from one end of canal to the other, and back again if you wish, is great value for money. Even if they don't point out all the lovely attractions, as a tour bus in another city might, it is still an unforgettable experience. Tourist Attractions on the Grand CanalThere are numerous attractions worthy of note along the Grand Canal. Here are a few of the most famous to look out for. Travelling from southeast to the northwest: Rialto Bridge - Built in 1588, this is the canal's oldest and most famous bridge. Classic holiday pictures on the bridge include standing at its apex and being photographed from below. Also, on the steps up to the apex. Vaporettos travel up to the bridge and under it, which is again worth a picture (see left). Ca' d'Or - Venice's "Golden House" - Standing majestically for years it was originally covered in gilt ornamentation. The rigours of time now see it without this, but its exquisite floral Gothic style still makes it one of the city's prettiest palazzos. Ca' Pesaro - One of the waterway's most stunning baroque palaces, of which there are many. This 17th-century white-marble Ca' Pesaro now houses Venice's modern art collection. Fondaco dei Turchi - Once the home of the town's Turkish traders, this 13th-century Veneto-Byzantine palace now serves as the Natural History Museum. Its most prized pieces are its dinosaur remains, which include an extremely rare and complete Ouranosaurus skeleton. |
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