Sestiere Itinerary #4 Santa Croce and San Polo

In the Sestiere Santa Croce, Piazzale Roma is one of only two land entry points to Venice, the other being the Santa Lucia station. This makes the area ideal for brief visits if you’re arriving from the mainland or need to return the same day.

Curated by My Art Guides for the Venice Biennale and Bea Vita – the Venetian good life, this itinerary offers a day trip through the Sestiere di Santa Croce and the neighbouring Sestiere di San Polo, the smallest district in the city.

These routes ensure you experience the best of contemporary art in Venice without missing a selection of bars and restaurants where you can refuel with delicious wine and Venetian delights.

To follow this itinerary, head to the first stop: Salone Verde, which is currently hosting the Collateral Event “Cosmic Garden” [1]. This exhibition honours the pluralistic beauty of India’s cultural heritage, featuring paintings and sculptures by Madhvi Parekh and Manu Parekh. Their practice evolves into a third interdisciplinary medium, hand-embroidery, presented through crafted works and sculptures by Karishma Swali, Creative Director of the Chanakya Foundation, and the Chanakya School of Craft, a Mumbai-based non-profit committed to empowering women through craft.

Walk a few metres further and you will find yourself in front of  Fondazione Prada to explore “Monte di Pietà” [2], an immersive environment that takes over the palazzo’s ground floor, mezzanine, and first floor. This installation consists of a fictitious bankrupt pawnshop, recreating the original layout of the Monte di Pietà of Venice. The exhibition incorporates new productions, references to Christoph Büchel‘s previous installations, a heterogeneous selection of objects, historical and contemporary works of art, and documents related to the history of property, credit and finance, the development of collections and archives, and the creation and meaning of real or artificial wealth.

Without moving too far you can also visit Ca’ Pesaro and the exhibition dedicated to Armando Testa [3]. Already present since December 2022 in the Venetian civic collections with 17 works, the brilliant Piedmontese creative artist is at the centre of a monographic exhibition that allows us to discover and rediscover previously unseen aspects of his production. The exhibition aims to reconstruct the artistic path of a prominent figure in contemporary visual culture, who began his journey in Turin at the Scuola Tipografica Vigliardi Paravia under the guidance of Ezio D’Errico. Testa is known for creating iconic images that have become part of our collective imagination over the years.

After your cultural immersion, indulge in a culinary experience: there are several options to choose from in this area. Restaurant  Glam [4], adorned with 2 Michelin stars, offers an intimate setting with a glass-enclosed dining room and a charming courtyard shaded by ancient magnolia trees.
If you prefer a shorter break, head to Al Prosecco [5], an enoteca established in 1999 in Campo San Giacomo da l’Orio. This non-touristy gem boasts a serene atmosphere amidst tree-lined spaces and an ancient basilica, offering a delightful selection of wines and local delicacies.
Another alternative is Bacan [6], a Latin American cuisine restaurant. Explore their dynamic menu featuring ingredients sourced from the Venetian lagoon, accompanied by a notable selection of mezcal and signature cocktails.

From this area move towards Campo San Polo. On the way you can stop by JoyStick [7], a new exhibition space for artists and craftsmen. If you haven’t had a break yet or fancy another glass, Stappo [8], renowned for its natural wines and a menu that changes seasonally, is the right choice. Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist, featuring fresh pasta and locally sourced seafood from markets like Rialto, just a few minutes walk away.

Once in San Polo, the city’s largest Campo, you can return to art and visit the Venetian venue of  Tommaso Calabro [9], inaugurated in April 2024, hosting international monographic and collective exhibitions. The gallery showcases the works of 20th-century artists, both celebrated and overlooked, promoting their rediscovery and appreciation.

Right next to the gallery you will find Birraria la Corte [10], known for its fun and assorted menu rooted in Venetian recipes with a simple and essential reinterpretation. Experience authentic Neapolitan pizza and a natural approach to contemporary dining.

Across the Campo you can visit the characteristic Beatrice Burati Anderson Art Space & Gallery [11]. This gallery focuses on installation and performance art, promoting ethical themes and the relationship between art and science within a tranquil setting that contrasts with Venice’s bustling streets.

One hundred and fifty metres further on in the direction of the Grand Canal is Palazzo Vendramin Grimani, which hosts the Collateral Event “Per non perdere il Filo” [12]. For this show Franco-Vietnamese artist Karine N’guyen Van Tham and Indian artist Parul Thacker collaborate on site-specific installations exploring the theme of ‘filo’ (thread) as an expressive medium and metaphor.

In a ten-minute walk from this last stop, you can reach the last two stops on the itinerary while getting closer to Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia station, in case you have to return to the mainland.

Reach the Casa di Carlo Goldoni to have a look at the exhibition “Biribisso” [13] by Eva Marisaldi. The works on display, all newly created, differ in technique and type but are united by a common source of inspiration: the author after whom the museum institution is named and his activity in the field of theatre.

Conclude your itinerary at the Scuola dei Laneri, where Slavica Janešlieva presents “Inter spem et metum” for the  Pavilion of North Macedonia [14]. The exhibition is a conceptual and visual exploration that challenges the perception of otherness and distinction through various aspects of human identity.

If you are still not tired or just want to add some stops to our itinerary, don’t forget to download My Art Guide Venice’s App: the comprehensive collection of all the national pavilions, collateral events and the best concurrent exhibitions at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.