Visiting the Biennale Gardens
In a city where water and stone define every street, Venice reveals a surprisingly green side through a collection of public spaces that appear like unexpected oases. In the historic center, within the Castello neighborhood, the Biennale Gardens, formerly known as Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens), serve as a quiet retreat where nature provides a backdrop for the Biennale Art Festival. Sitting along the banks of the Bacino di San Marco (St. Mark's Basin), these gardens offer a lush escape on the southern edge of an unconventional district.
A green sanctuary where art and architecture meet
When Napoleon occupied Venice in 1797, he sought to introduce healthier living standards by creating green spaces, even if it meant demolishing the San Domenico convent and several churches to make room. The architect Giannantonio Selva designed the gardens, first in an Italian style and later shifting to an English aesthetic. After draining the marshy land, over 65,000 m² (about 16 acres) opened to the public in the early 19th century. You can reach these peaceful paths via Via Garibaldi, where a statue of the general marks the entrance.
Standing tall on his pedestal, this hero of Italian unification is not the only one enjoying the shade of the mature trees, as numerous sculptures line the walkways. Art is never far away in Venice, and this is especially true at the Giardini, where thirty international pavilions for the famous Biennale festival have been hosted since the inaugural event in 1895. Some were designed by notable architects like Josef Hoffman or Rietveld, including the trapezoidal lines of the Finnish building. Visiting these structures adds a distinct character to the site, which sits between the Arsenale (Arsenal) and the island of Sant'Elena.
Given the lack of space in the center of Venice, you don't really expect to find a park... and yet, there is this one, right behind the Basilica. Trees, flowers, paths to walk along, the canal flowing right next to it, and streetlamps that give you a bit of light when the sun goes down. A lovely surprise