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The Island of San Pietro di Castello & the Best Festa in Venice

Ever wondered what Venice must have been like before it was overrun by tourists? Well, there is some wonderful news... it still exists... and it is fabulous. It's probably the only part of Venice where locals far outnumber tourists—even in July and August.

I remember the first time I visited with my husband—he was looking like a typical tourist—camera, baseball cap. Anyway, an old lady of well over 80 came up to us and asked, "Are you tourists?"

Apprehensively, my husband said he was.

She was so over the moon and told us, "It's so lovely to see tourists here. Do you like the island I grew up on?"

We both answered that we loved it.

It was the right answer. She was so happy she couldn't stop talking and told us to come to the festa the next week—the last week of June—she'd be making over 200 kilograms of spaghetti and she'd keep a good few plates for us... we just needed to ask for Nonna Gabriela.

Where else would you find that in Venice?

Anyway, we came back for the festa and that is when you should come too. It is exceptional. An experience treasured by Venetians—this is their festa. Not like the Venice Film Festival and Venice Carnival, both of which are dominated by tourists.

It's nothing fancy either—I'm glad about that too.

It consists of lots of tables set up across the island with lights strung along the square and between trees in the parks. Tables are weighed down with huge helpings of local specialties like bigoli, various other pastas, seafood dishes galore, traditional sausages, and much else too.

As the sun sets and the huge feast winds down, music starts up in front of the cathedral. The dancing goes on until late into the night.

The first Sunday of the festival includes a moving celebration of the Eucharist in the cathedral, and the entire week of the festa consists of daily choral singing and other events in church, mixed with lots of eating, concerts, and regattas.

To me this festa encapsulates everything the Venetians hold dear: their religion, family, the lagoon, and of course food. It is the only festival that allows you to truly understand the Venetians. 

... And I ate way too much of Nonna Gabriela's pasta.

What Else to See

Inhabited long before Venice itself, the name of San Pietro di Castello derives from the castle that was here on this tiny island in the 8th century. There's lots to see in Castello itself, but on the island of San Pietro, the Basilica di San Pietro di Castello is the main attraction.

It is one of the oldest in Venice, dates back to the 12th century, and was the seat of the Patriarch of Venice. Venice is one of only four places on earth to have a Patriarch. The facade was redesigned by the famous architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century.

Wandering around the island, the greenery of the place comes as something of a surprise. Venice has few green areas, whereas this island is half park. Watching mothers gossip while their children run free and happy through the gardens is a beautiful experience.

Where to Stay

The few accommodation options on the island itself are not worth bothering with; rather, stay in Castello and walk over to the island.

The nearest really good hotel is the lovely Hotel Bucintoro, which is a 15-minute walk away from the island.

Where to Eat

Here for the festa? You'll have more than enough to eat.

Not festa time? Then try a favorite of ours that is about a twenty-minute walk from the island; it is the Osteria alla Staffa in Calle Ospedaletto, 6398. Their dishes are those of the Venice area, many made according to family recipes handed down through countless generations.

They've embraced the modern conventions of the Slow Food movement by using only fresh local ingredients wherever possible.

The owner told me that this "modern" idea is the way they've done things here for centuries—whatever was fresh and in season at the open-air market was what people used to make their meals with. The result is invariably superb.

Try the Trattoria dai Tosi too; it is in Calle Seco Marina, which is an easy 10-minute walk from the island. The Trattoria dai Tosi is featured in my Venice Restaurant Guide.

Getting Here

Walking is best; from St. Mark's Square, it takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the water bus number 1 to San Pietro di Castello, which is a 5-minute walk from the island. You'll save a bit of energy by taking a water bus, but you'll miss the experience of walking and seeing the transition from the Venice of the tourists to the Venice of the Venetians. 

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