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Discover the hidden connections between Dante Alighieri and Venice on a walking tour. Visit key landmarks linked to Dante’s journey, including the Palazzo Soranzo and the Arsenale.

Highlights

• Discover the hidden connections between Dante Alighieri and Venice
• Visit the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, one of the oldest churches in Venice
• Learn about Dante's life in exile and the political climate of Venice
• See Palazzo Soranzo where Dante was hosted by Doge Soranzo in 1321
• See Arsenale, described in Dante's Inferno

Description

Step into the world of Dante Alighieri and discover how Venice shaped his literary genius. From his brief stay in the city to the places that inspired his vision of the afterlife, this tour uncovers the hidden Dante within the Venetian landscape. Explore his connections to the city and see Venice through the eyes of the poet who immortalized it in his Divine Comedy. Explore the hidden connections between Dante Alighieri and Venice on this immersive walking tour. This immersive walking tour takes you to key landmarks linked to Dante’s journey, including the Palazzo Soranzo, where Dante was hosted as an ambassador, and the Arsenale, which inspired scenes in Inferno. Visit sites like the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto and Campo Santa Maria Formosa, hearing readings from the Divine Comedy along the way. Learn about Dante's life in exile, the political climate of Venice, and the lasting impact of his work on the city's culture. Begin the tour in Campo San Polo, one of Venice’s largest squares, dominated by the Palazzo Soranzo. Here, Dante was hosted in 1321 during his diplomatic mission on behalf of Guido Novello da Polenta, the lord of Ravenna. Learn about the Soranzo family and the historical context of Dante’s visit to Venice. Head to the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, one of the oldest churches in Venice, located near the iconic Rialto Bridge. Dante likely visited this area during his stay, where the bustling mercantile activity would have shaped his view of Venice. Discuss the significance of trade and commerce in Dante’s time and how it ties into his view of the world in the Divine Comedy. Next, visit Campo Santa Maria Formosa, a bustling square that was a hub of commercial activity during the Middle Ages. This area offers a glimpse into the mercantile Venice Dante would have witnessed. Discuss the economic and political significance of the city and how it is reflected in Dante’s depiction of the Arsenale in Inferno (Canto XXI). Continue to the Doge’s Palace, the heart of Venetian power, which represents the grandeur and complexity of the Serenissima. Dante would have been struck by its magnificence, echoing the divine justice that permeates the Divine Comedy. Stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni, once a thriving commercial port. Here, reflect on Dante’s life in exile, a theme central to his work, as he gazed across the sea and contemplated ideas of home and separation. End the tour at the entrance to the Arsenale, Venice’s legendary shipyard, vividly described in Inferno (Canto XXI). Discover how Dante compares the work of the shipbuilders to infernal scenes, blending the symbolic and the real in this iconic location.

Includes

Live tour guide Readings from the Divine Comedy Historical anecdotes

Important Information

• Full refund for cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour starts Contact for unavailable dates online

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund