On the eastern side of the historic centre is the large area of the former Venetian shipyards, in Italian Arsenale di Venezia.
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These shipyards have served the Venetian navy since the 13th century and still harbour a strong genius of long-distance sailing and hard work on the docks. If you're a fan of maritime navigation, make sure you visit the Venetian shipyards.
Get lost in the tangle of old docks
You can enter the grounds of the Venetian dockyards at any time, free of charge. Immerse yourself in the interior of the 46 hectares of the area, in the tangle of alleys between the old docks, cranes and wharves. Most of the current buildings date back to the 19th century, when the shipyards underwent a major restoration and renovation.
You can enjoy the many promenades with a few cafes, but there are only a fraction of the tourists compared to the historic centre.
Culture and the Venice Biennale
Most of the buildings in the dockyards are used for cultural purposes, exhibitions, temporary galleries and various mass events. Few places in Venice have such vast indoor and outdoor spaces, which makes the Venice dockyards ideal for these purposes.
The most famous event held at the docks is undoubtedly the Venice Biennale, an interdisciplinary contemporary art show held here every odd year.
Information and dates can be found on the official website: labiennale.org/en.
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