Venice city center Apartment for Rent: Traditional apartments in medieval 'palazzetto' - Property 137

Special features and view: A long history! The palazzetto still preserves some original features belonging to a 10th/11th century house, then home to a branch of the Badoer, one of the most distinguished Venetian families. Re-designed by the Badoers towards the end of the 15th century, the medieval projecting pinions, or 'barbacani', have since become its identifying characteristic. In 1500 the house appeared in the “Bird’s eye view map of Venice” by Jacopo De Barbari. Overall, it stayed in the ownership of the Badoers for almost a millennium, till the end of the 19th Century. Being a taller building than the surrounding houses, it enjoys plenty of light as well as far reaching views, going as far as the domes of the Salute and the Alps on a clear day. The view of the canal dei Frari and canal San Stin joining together under the bridge and also that of the Frari bell-tower in the moonlight are truly romantic sights.

Shopping and transport: The location is near the Church of the Frari, a well-known landmark to the “conoscenti”. The area is quiet, yet central; within easy reach of the Rialto, the Accademia and Saint Mark’s on foot, and quicker still by “vaporetto” from S. Toma’. Locally, cafes, restaurants, shops and markets are all close at hand, and so are two Universities, the State Archives of the “Serenissima” , patronised by international scholars, concert halls (concerts held in the Frari Church, as well as the two “Scuole” of S. Rocco and of St John the Evangelist), ... and paintings galore: the Frari Titians, the Tintorettos at San Rocco are just round the corner. Understandably, the local population are mostly professionals or academic-related. On the other hand, our visitors enjoy sight seeing - whether on foot, by gondola or by water-bus - shopping for designer fashion & antiques, visiting museums, attending concerts, gondola regattas, bathing at the Lido, painting or just writing books on Venice.

Sports: In Venice local rowing clubs and sailing clubs, such as the 'Compagnia della Vela', have a distinguished history. More water-sports, as well as golf, tennis and riding are available at the island of the Lido, where also bicycles can be hired. The beach at the Lido can be reached by direct water-bus service from San Toma’ in 3/4 hour. To secure a good beach cabin for the day, or half-day, an early morning start by water-bus is advisable. Early morning travel is not so crowded and the journey along the Grand Canal, then across the Lagoon to the Lido is an event in itself. The return journey in the evening, facing the sun setting behind the domes of Venice and the waters of the Lagoon come ablaze with colours is also something not to be missed.

Other Activities: Sight-seeing (architectural beauty, romantic landscapes), shopping (fashion - antiques), visiting art galleries, concerts, gondola regattas, cuisine.

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