Cannaregio Canal

The Cannaregio Canal is one of the main waterways in Venice heading north towards the lagoon from the Grand Canal and roughly splitting the Cannaregio district in two. The Cannaregio district is situated in the north of Venice and runs from the Railway station in the West to the Rialto Bridge in the East.

Cannaregio is well known as the location of the first recorded Jewish 'ghetto' - there are many different explanations as to how the word ghetto came about but the one that I feel has the most credence is that is is a shortening of the Italian 'borghetto' which literally means 'little town'. These days the word has lost it's original meaning and conjurers up images of deprivation or segregation, which itself is of little surprise when you look at the reintroduction of 'ghettos' throughout hundreds of town and cities in Nazi Germany in WW2, with a more sinister purpose than simply segregation. 

Reaching the bridge where this photo was taken (Ponte degli Scalzi) is around a 10 minute stroll from the railway station via Rio Tera Lista Di Spagna, one of the main thoroughfares around Venice. For this reason you will find it gets pretty busy with tourists wheeling their suitcases along or browsing in the windows of the many shops lining this route selling glass, shoes and a variety of souvenirs.

Along this route to the Rialto Bridge you will find dozens of small bars, cafe's and restaurants lining the route, particularly along the 'Strada Nuovo'. As with the aforementioned route it can be quite busy, especially near the markets, so for this reason you may want to check out the Cannaregio Canal itself with riverside restaurants and bars and an altogether quieter dining experience. One final location worthy of a mention is the Suso Ice Cream shop down a little side street and about 5 minutes walk from the Rialto Bridge -  Delizioso!!!