Accessible Venice

itinerario: Zattere - Church and Scuola Grande dei Carmini - Campo Santa Margherita - Campiello Squellini - Ca' Foscari - Ca' Rezzonico Museum 
 

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Take the No. 2 boat (accessible) from Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma (bus terminus) or Ferrovia (railway
station) or the No. 61 boat (accessible for one wheelchair at a time) from the Piazzale Roma stop.
San Basilio is on the Fondamenta delle Zattere which takes its name from the "zattere" or rafts that formerly unloaded their timber here. The quay is free of barriers as far as Ponte Longo alle Zattere. This stretch of the fondamenta is also home to the Venice University Department of Languages and library which is completely accessible thanks to the platforms at the entrance and the lift inside. The building has accessible toilets.
Go down Calle del Vento opposite the San Basilio stop and along the quayside by the Rio San Sebastiano; on the other side (near the second bridge) you will see the 16th century Church of San Sebastiano. If you continue along Fondamenta del Soccorso you can admire the huge 17th century Palazzo Zenobio, formerly the home of the famous landscape painter Luca Carlevaris. In 1850 the baroque building was transformed into a boarding school by the Armenian Mekhitarist
Fathers. You can book a visit to the amazing garden by calling +39 - 041.5228770.

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The quay emerges in Campo Carmini with the Church of the Carmini, dedicated to Santa Maria del Carmelo. The 14th century basilican interior which has preserved its original Gothic character has a painting by Cima di Conegliano and an altar-piece by Palma il Giovane. The main entrance to the church from Campo dei Carmini involves a 14 cm step (5 1/2 inches), the side
entrance has a 5 cm step (2 inches). There are no architectural barriers inside so the church can be visited throughout.
The church is open from 7.30 am to 12 pm and from 2.30 pm to 7 pm.

Alongside the church is the seat of one of Venice's oldest scuole (charitable institutions): the
Scuola Grande dei Carmini which is housed in a 17th century building. You enter the Scuola
via three 15 cm steps (6 inches). The salone on the second floor with the magnificent cycle of
paintings by Tiepolo can only be reached via the double staircase.

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Next to the Church of the Carmini is Campo Santa Margherita, one of Venice's liveliest squares popular with students from the neighbouring university buildings. It has numerous openair bars and pizzerias where you can enjoy a relaxing break.
The little building isolated in the middle of the square was built in 1725 to house the Scuola dei
Varoteri (tanners); it now holds council offices.
Also in the square is the Auditorio Santa Margherita, a venue for conferences, congresses and cultural events owned by the University of Venice. The main entrance involves two steps, but there is also a side entrance near Ponte di San Pantalon with a ramp.
 

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When you come to Rio Tera' canal, go down the Calle de Mezo dea Vida until you reach the pretty little Campiello degli Squellini which takes its name from the majolica bowls once produced by a workshop in the square.
Nearby is Ca' Foscari, elegant seat of the University of Venice.
 

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From Campiello degli Squellini, you can reach Ca' Rezzonico, now housing the Museo del Settecento
Veneziano, the city's collection of 18th century art.
The palace - begun by Baldassarre Longhena and modified by Giorgio Massari - has many important paintings by Tiepolo, Rosalba Carriera, Longhi, Guardi and Canaletto displayed in sumptuously decorated rooms preserving their original precious furnishings. To reach the entrance go down Calle del Cappeller in the direction of Campo San Barnaba, but instead of following
the main route, turn into the narrow Calle Pedrocchi to reach Fondamenta Rezzonico. The museum entrance is at the end of this calle.
Visitors' services are on the ground floor and include an information point, ticket office, cloakroom, bookshop, and breakfast room.
To return to the landing stage, going down Fondamenta Rezzonico, you will enter the museum's
lovely garden.