La Giudecca and other La Giudecca, Italy General Tips

Favorite Thing: This long island in the venetian lagoon is so-called because in the 9th century nobles condemned to exile (giudicato) were sent here. Largely a working class area (like Canareggio) and residential area it does provide fine views of Venice itself as you stroll along its waterfront. There are 4 water bus stops along the island so its easy to hop on and off along its length.

On the eastern tip of the island is the exclusive Cipriani hotel - perhaps you can make out its swiming pool.


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Favorite Thing: La Guidecca is a long thin s- shaped island in the southern lagoon, facing the Zattere of Venice proper. Formerly known as Spina Longa, due to its fishbone shape. It was once a place for exiles too and Michelangelo spent 3 peaceful years here in voluntarty exile from 1529 - well I wouldn't mind being exiled here, especially if I could stay at the Cipriani :-)


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Favorite Thing: If you think this church looks familiar you're right - its just like the one on Isola San Giorgio Maggiore and its not surprising to discover it had the same architect - Andrea Palladio.


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Favorite Thing: I read about this building first on the Veniceblog site - useful for some great background reading on Venice. This fascinating neo- gothic building was built in the 20th century by a painter. Its local name - Tre Oci - is derived from its 3 "windows" (the eyes) which must have a wondeful view out over the Canale della Giudecca. Unfortunately it is not currently open to the public.


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Favorite Thing: Just enjoyed having a wander around the calles and fondamentas here and looking out onto the other side of the lagonn towards the sea - note though during our visit in 2005 a fair bit of restoration and'or re-paving was taking place. It has very much a local residential feel - not unilike Castello area of Venice.


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Fondest Memory: Guidecca is very much a place for boating people - many boats lined the canals and indeed there is a large boat repair yard here amongst which is a largish restaurant - Le Mistra. We always intended to come back over her for a meal but something else always cropped up and we didn't get to return again for our visit in 2005 but at least we managed to see more than on our previous visit when a boat strike sunk our plans. Seen here are views around Ponte Lungo canal and residential streets with laundry.

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Favorite Thing: The modern apartments towards the end of the main canal leading to the sea looked oddly out of place with a fishing community but I later learnt it was part of a private gated waterfront development - much like the London Dockland regenration projects. Guess they must have wonderful lagoon views. WI guess if you wanted to buy one ...time has run out as they sold like hot cakes. More pictures and info can be seen at the website of the property developers.


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Favorite Thing: Giudecca is almost a forgotten place - despite being such a short ride away from San Marco , they aapper worlds apart. Soon this will be tthe place to stay or have apartments - the views over the Giudecca Canal to Zattere and Dorsoduro are a big plus This is evident by more development on on the former Molino Stucky flour mill. This huge neo-gothic place at the western end of Giudecca Island was built between 1897-1920 and the factory closed in 1954 since when it was left neglected and suffered a fire in April 2003. Now it is being transformed into a hotel and conference centre - Hilton no less. Soon this will be aprime place to stay.


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