The Districts

The districts of Venice

In most cities, the term used is neighborhoods. In Venice, however, there are the sestieri, the historic division of the city center into six parts: Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce. This is not merely a geographical division. Each sestiere has its own identity, with different atmospheres, traditions, historical activities, and rhythms. Even today, for many Venetians, the sestiere represents a strong sense of belonging, and it is not uncommon to hear the question: "Which sestiere are you from?" For visitors to the city, the differences are evident. San Marco is the monumental and most well-known heart; other sestieri offer a more authentic and tranquil Venice, filled with squares, calli, historic shops, and corners away from the most crowded routes. It is important to note that the sestieri only encompass the historic center. Some islands, like Giudecca, are administratively part of a sestiere (Dorsoduro), while others, like Murano, Burano, Torcello, Pellestrina, and Sant'Erasmo, though belonging to the Municipality of Venice, are not part of the six sestieri. The sestieri are also represented in the famous iron of the gondola: the six front teeth symbolize the six sestieri, while the other elements evoke the Grand Canal, Giudecca, and some of the most representative symbols of the city. Knowing about the sestieri means beginning to understand the true soul of Venice: a city where each area tells a different story and offers a different way of experiencing it.