Public Gardens or Napoleonic Gardens

Bounded by the Riva dei 7 Martiri, Viale Trieste and Via Garibaldi, in the district of Castello, these gardens represent the most extensive public gardens in Venice. Created during Napoleon's domination (1808-1812) by reclaiming the Paludo di S.Antonio and demolishing a complex of religious buildings, these gardens represented a new socio-urban benchmark for the city, a single vast green space. Designed by Giannantonio Selva, who also designed the entrance gate, divided by Rio S. Giuseppe and connected together by a bridge, the Gardens are split into two sections, the first of which leads to Rio Terà Garibaldi. The second, larger section was developed as an Italian-style garden and was later transformed into English-style gardens in the second half of the 19th century. Some years later, it became the home of the pavilions of the International Art Biennial of Venice. Among the species planted there, we find linden, nettle and plane trees, laurels, Japanese pittosporum, and spindle trees.