The city's historical rivalry with Genoa exploded
under the form of four wars that were fought one after the other
until a truce was finally agreed at the end of 1381, when Venice
beat Genoa in the famous Battle of Chioggia (1380).
The old city center is divided into six
areas known as sestieri : Castello, Cannaregio, San Marco, Santa
Croce, Dorsoduro, San Polo . Some islands are also part of the
city: Giudecca and San Giorgio , that can be seen from Piazza
San Marko the islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello and
the Lido , home to Venice's beaches and where it is possible
to go by car, taking the ferry from the Tronchetto.
There are many water buses and motorboats to take you quickly to any place
in Venice . The vaporetto lines 1 and 82 travel along the Grand Canal from
Piazzale Roma to the Lido, allowing passengers to view the wonderful buildings
that stand alongside the Canal until it reaches the San Marco Basilica, where
it is possible to catch a glimpse of the wonderful, majestic Piazza San Marco.
An interesting way to cross the Grand Canal from one side to the other is by
using the gondola ferry, that is cheap but very picturesque. These ferries
can be found at various points on the Grand Canal: from Santa Maria del Giglio
to the Salute and vice versa (until 1 pm); from Ca' Rezzonico to Palazzo Grassi
and vice versa (until 1 pm); from Riva del Vin to the Town Hall and vice versa
(until 1 pm); from the Rialto Market to Strada Nova and vice versa (up to 7.45
pm); from San Marcuola to Fontego dei Turchi and vice versa (until 1 pm); from
the train station to San Simeone and Giuda and vice versa (until 1 pm). Getting
around the city on foot is however the most charming way of getting to know
it.
