Via Garibaldi Venice

Compared to the rest of the Italian cities, Venice stands out for many reasons. The one discussed here is the nomenclature chosen for its streets, mainly called “calle”, but also “ramo”, “salizada”, “fondamenta”, and so on, whereas the rest of Italy uses a more universal “via”.

And yet, looking close enough, it is possible to find a “via” also in Venice, right at the end of Riva degli Schiavoni, before the Biennale Gardens, large and filled with local flavors and historical insights, we are in Via Garibaldi.

As the rest of Venice’s “rio terà” (earthed-in canals), Via Garbaldi used to be a waterway itself and was only possible to sail. Then, in the early 1800s, they turned this canal into a walkable passage to enhance the infrastructure of the island, and since then, it has always been of particular importance for the unfolding of Venice's daily life.

Today, Via Garibaldi is a perfect combination of the local atmosphere and the tourist attractions. The place is swarming with bars, osterias and shops and yet the air is permeated of Venetian dialect words, antique stalls, authentic flavors and even a market floating on a boat!

Last but not least, in the middle of this wonderful street are the entrance gates to the tree-lined boulevard that leads to the Napoleonic gardens. Facing the gates towers the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a national hero who unified the various kingdoms of our peninsula into one single nation that is now called Italy.