The main canal crossing the centre of Venice was actually the final part of an ancient river, flowing into the lagoon. It draws a wide inverted "S". running from Piazzale Roma - the arrival of railroads and driveways - to the basin of San Marco, for approximately 3.800 metres. The sides of the canal are dotted of charming palaces, mostly built from the 12th to the 18th century, representing the power and wealth of the most prestigious Venetian families.

This bridge, one of the four actually crossing Canal Grande, is the most ancient and surely the most famous. The current stone bridge took the place of a pristine wooden bridge and an even older floating one, since the 16th century. Many prestigious artists of that age were involved in the design contest: Jacopo Sansovino, Andrea Palladio, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and later Vincenzo Scamozzi. The chosen version was signed by Antonio da Ponte, who proposed a single arch structure.

This gorgeous palace, standing on Canal Grande, is made up of two parts: the most ancient, built in 1425, is a perfect example of Venetian Gothic style of the 14th and 15th century. It was to be the residence of the wealthy Spiera family. The other core, built at the end of the 17th century, features a frank Baroque style.

Built at the end of the 15th century by the Lando family, it was soon ceased to the Corner family because of the bad financial situation of the first owners. The new landlords appointed the two prestigious architects Michele Sanmicheli and Giorgio Vasari to refurbish the interiors. The facade was maintained, while all the structures behind were modified according to the new classic manner of Renaissance.