{"id":666856,"date":"2022-02-10T15:57:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T12:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=666856"},"modified":"2022-01-31T09:29:03","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T06:29:03","slug":"lido-island-in-venice-history-photos-sights-how-to-get-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/lido-island-in-venice-history-photos-sights-how-to-get-there\/","title":{"rendered":"Lido Island in Venice – history, photos, sights, how to get there"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Italian land is rich in historical sites<\/a> and tour<\/a>ist resorts. A rare traveler has not heard of ancient Rome, the magic<\/a>al island<\/a> of Capri, noisy Rimini and, of course, Venice<\/a>, unique in its kind. Often it is the latter that is the main and only point on the tourist map<\/a>. But few people know that just 15 minutes from the city<\/a> on the water is a chain of small islands that separate the pearl of Italy<\/a> from the Adriatic Sea. The most notable of them is Lido Island, which will become a real outlet for those who have had enough of the atmosphere of overly touristy Venice. Against the backdrop of the latter, Lido looks like a modern town that can offer tourists shops, rest<\/a>aurants, golden sand and comfortable hotels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Story<\/h2>\n

Despite the ancient church with the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Lido is not often mentioned in historical Venetian records. Geographically, it has always been conside<\/a>red the most important part<\/a> of the defense against enemy forces. For a long time, its sandy beaches<\/a> served as a place for mooring warships and quartering military units. In the Middle Ages, Lido was better known by the name of St. Nicholas, as he was considered the patron saint of sailors.<\/p>\n

From the historical point of view, the most outstanding events that took place on the territory of the Lido include the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In 1177 Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Alexander III signed the Treaty of Venice<\/a> after Frederick's defeat at the Battle of Legnano.<\/li>\n
  2. In 1202, several tens of thousa<\/a>nds of crusa<\/a>ders were stationed on the island, who were locked up by the Venetian authorities due to the inability to pay for Italian sea<\/a> vessels.<\/li>\n
  3. In the first half of the twentieth century, Lido earned notoriety, thanks to the huge number of establishments providing services to women of easy virtue.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There were Protestant and Jewish cemeteries on the island<\/a>. The latter is open to the public today. The Protestant cemetery was dismantled with the construction of a small airport in its place, some of the tombstones were transfer<\/a>red to the Jewish one. Once upon a time, Byron and Shelley made a horseback ride along the long sandy beaches<\/a> of the Lido, and after some ten years, they could not recognize the usual places. The passion of the upper strata for summer holidays<\/a> at the sea<\/a> lured hotel developers to Lido, and behind them – wealthy vacation<\/a>ers.<\/p>\n

    Over time, the island has become a popular tour<\/a>ist destination, as well as an area<\/a> for the development<\/a> of rich villa<\/a>s and residential buildings, which offered better living conditions than the old buildings of Venice. In the 60s of the twentieth century, many Venetians moved to the Lido in search of a better life. Today, most of these private mansions are destroyed, along with many hotels<\/a>. However, there are a couple of establishments on the island that have retained their former gloss and grandeur. Today, Lido attracts guests primarily by holding large-scale cultural events<\/a>, including the famous Venice Film Festival.<\/p>\n

    sights<\/a><\/h2>\n

    \"Lido<\/a><\/p>\n

    A tourist who managed to walk along the streets of Venice divided by canals will be pleased to re-enter the solid land of the Lido, along which you can move in the usual way. It is impossible to call the island a storehouse of cultural heritage, but it definitely deserves attention, thanks to its developed infrastructure. In addition, the island will be especially appreciated by those travel<\/a>ers who want to stay away from Russian compatriots and the ubiquitous Chinese tourists<\/a>. Peace and tranquility reign here.<\/p>\n

    Of the worthy places to visit<\/a> on the island of Lido, the following can be distinguished:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Central Street: a place of daytime and nighttime entertainment. Here is a real paradise for lovers of shopping<\/a>, cozy cafes and clubs working “to the last client”. Particularly pleased with the prices<\/a>, which are two times lower than in neighboring Venice. Closer to the sea line, you can visit the cozy pizzeria “Fabio's”, where, according to many travel<\/a>ers, one of the best pizzas in Italy<\/a> is prepared. And nearby they sell delicious gelatto (Italian ice cream).<\/li>\n
    2. Beaches<\/a>. Lido may not have gained fame as a popular resort in the modern world<\/a>, but this does not detract from the beauty of its golden beaches. Most of them belong to hotels or private owners, are equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas and are carefully cleaned. Of course, the entrance to them is paid (or included in the price of a hotel stay), but for those who want to save money, there is also a free beach called “spiaggia libera”.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"Lido<\/a><\/p>\n

      The natural reserve and sand dunes of Alberoni, protected by the World Wildlife Fund, are considered unique on the island. This is more than a hundred hectares of golden sand framed by a beautiful pine forest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Architecture<\/a>. The Lido buildings are the brightest embodiment of the Italian Art Nouveau called “Liberty”. The most impressive of them are the casino (now closed), the Excelsior Grand Hotel and the Grand Hotel des Bains.<\/li>\n
      2. Every year Lido hosts the famous Venice Film Festival, which has been held since the thirties of the XX century. At this time, on the streets of the island you can meet many eminent actors and directors see<\/a>king recognition from the masters of cinema.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker<\/h2>\n

        \"Lido<\/a><\/p>\n

        One of the oldest and most important sights<\/a> of Lido is the church of St. Nicholas, built at the beginning of the 11th century, where the relics of the Saint are kept. Their journey to Italy<\/a> was not easy. It is no secret that the Venetians participated and sponsored the Crusades. During one of them, they broke into the Basilica of St. Nicholas, but did not find the relics, even dismantling the tomb into stones. Just before sailing, the Venetians found out that the service was sometimes conducted in one of the aisles, where they opened the floor at the altar. According to legend, the Italians felt a wonderful fragrance, and after a few moments, they discovered the remains of the Saint.<\/p>\n

        \"Lido<\/a><\/p>\n

        Initially, they wanted to name the famous Cathedral<\/a> of San Marco on the square of the same name in Venice in honor of St. Nicholas, or, in extreme cases, designate the building as a double-altar one. However, the participants of the campaign, even before setting off on it, made a sacred vow that they would certainly bring the relics of the Saint to the Lido Church. Since the island is a natural barrier that protected Venice from sea invaders, they felt that it would be right to leave St. Nicholas to guard the island, and thus Venice. Since ancient times, Venetian ships, before sailing and upon arrival home, stopped at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to ask his blessing on a long journey and thank him for a happy return. Many travelers to this day follow this good tradition.<\/p>\n

        Where is it located and how to<\/a> get there<\/a><\/h2>\n

        Lido Island is a mere fifteen minutes from the city<\/a> on the water. You can get to it by vaporetti (small boats, which are the main public transport<\/a> in Venice and its environs). From Venice itself, you should use route<\/a> number 1 (you can take a vaporetti at the stations of the railway station, the Grand Canal or Piazza San Marco), you will need a final stop. The cost will be about 7 euros. From Marco Polo airport, you need to take the red line to the Lido Casino station, the cost will be 15 euros one way.<\/p>\n

        Lido Island on the map<\/h2>\n