GRAND CANAL, Fourth Part

Isn't it amazing passing through the shadow of the Rialto Bridge? Just think, millions of people cross this bridge every year! To your left, the Rialto pier was where the historic Ferro shore was once located, where German merchants' ships unloaded their goods for the nearby Fondaco. A Fondaco is a building in a seaside town that is used as a warehouse and provides accommodations to foreign merchants. 

The Vin Shore starts from right here, and is the only decent stretch of the Grand Canal where you can stroll along its shore, which is why it's full of bars with tables and awnings.

Among the palaces on your left, don't miss the thirteenth century Ca' Farsetti and Loredan Palace, which are connected by a small bridge: these two buildings make up the town hall.

Once the Vin Shore has ended, shortly after the San Silvestro jetty, you'll see the sixteenth century Papadopoli Palace, which can be recognized by the obelisks on its roof. But don't get too distracted, because coming up is the austere Grimani Palace, built by a military architect around the mid-1500s. It currently houses the Appeals Court, and it's interesting to note that Venice still provides all its official functions in historic buildings which can be accessed from the water! In front of the buildings you can still see the mooring poles with the colors of the coats of arms of the palaces' original families!...