Venice has succeeded perfectly in promoting itself as unique city to visit at least once in life. However, it has never succeeded in promoting its football club. In my humble opinion, the most obvious example of real Venetian life is the city’s football team, Venezia FC. It isn’t about buying footballers T-shirts — what about collecting an authentic peak experience at the stadium?

Stadio Luigi Penzo is situated on the eastern tip of the island, a very remote area with no signs pointing in its direction (unless you know where it is, you would hardly find it); I was surprised too to discover there is a stadium on the island. 

Even if you are not a sports fan, you could marvel at attending a football match in such a unique setting, with water surrounding you on two sides. You can enjoy the atmosphere generated by the ultras singing chants and drinking beers, with constant jostling and heckling among the more stocious fans. 

During the game, a few devoted (and slightly maniacal) ultras stand at the front of the terraces, never taking their eyes off the fans, armed with megaphones, they lead a succession of chants all-game-long. Venezia FC injects some much needed life and variety into the often sterile surroundings of the lagoon city.

It’s a pity that in the last few decades the stadium has been heavily damaged and the capacity has declined, falling slowly into disrepair.