Hidden Venice Free Tour: Death, Faith & Carnival

We begin along the Grand Canal, at the imposing church of San Simeone Piccolo, the gateway to the Dorsoduro district, which few tourists know about. From there, we venture into the heart of the Venetian confraternities: the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, guardian of one of Christianity’s most venerated relics.

We continue through historic churches, squares, and alleyways—the Frari, San Rocco, and San Pantaleon—discovering how faith, art, and power were intertwined in the daily life of the Most Serene Republic. Along the way, Carnival appears where you least expect it: in masks, in palaces, and in stories that remain alive.

We pass through the lively Campo Santa Margherita, cross a sotoportego with noble secrets, and arrive at the Squero di San Trovaso, one of the last gondola workshops.

The tour culminates in front of the Giudecca Canal, from where we gaze in the distance at the Redentor. With the Redentore and the Salute, we recall the promises of this city that has never forgotten its wounds.

A tour exploring less touristy spots in southern Venice, uncovering stories that are both incredible and dark.