Castello, Residential district in Venice, Italy
Castello is the largest of Venice's six districts, stretching from San Marco across to the eastern edge of the city. It contains everything from quiet residential streets to the sprawling Arsenale, the historic shipyard complex with its old warehouses and wide water channels running through.
The name comes from a fortress built in the 8th century on the island of San Pietro di Castello. The Arsenale later grew into the heart of Venice's shipbuilding industry, turning the area into the engine of the maritime republic.
The Arsenale shaped how locals and visitors understand Venetian power, with its historic shipyards now showing what maritime craftsmanship meant to the city. Walking through reveals how deeply shipbuilding was woven into daily life and identity here.
Water buses 4.1 and 5.1 serve the area well, running along the outer edges and providing convenient stops throughout. The eastern sections are less crowded than central areas, so visiting outside peak times makes for easier exploration and navigation.
The Church of San Giorgio dei Greci stands as a reminder of a Greek Orthodox community that settled here centuries ago. Most visitors overlook this corner of the district, yet it reveals a side of Venice beyond the typical tourist route.
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