Arsenale di Venezia

A quiet place with a good restaurant and bar with a great view of the towers to the entrance to the arsenal. A place from where it is great to start visiting Castello ...... This is a place for the next visit.

Amazing place. Finally managed to see in person the “wonder” I played so much when I was young in Civ VI and V, and I wasn’t disappointed ahahhaha

The arsenale was the heart of the Venetian naval industry, where warships and merchant vessels were built, repaired, and outfitted. It was the largest industrial complex in Europe before the Industrial Revolution, employing thousands of specialized workers known as Arsenalotti. Its origins date back to around 1104, and it underwent more than eight major expansions between the 14th and 16th centuries. By the 15th century, it had the capacity to construct up to six warships per month—an extraordinary feat for its time. As the military and economic backbone of the Venetian Republic, the Arsenale was so vital that, by 1509, it was called the heart of the Venetian state. Today, parts of the North Arsenale are open to the public, while the South Arsenale serves as a major exhibition venue for the Venice Biennale. The site also includes the Museo Storico Navale (Naval History Museum).

Hidden gem! I only saw it during my second visit while walking around Arsenale water bus stop. Quiet and beautiful place with a small restaurant and a beautiful church nearby.

With the ticket you also get access to the other part/building of marine museum.

We saw the biennale exhibits it was cool though we did it over two days as there is way too much to take in over a single day

Such a lovely place to see. With amazing history. We witnessed a wonderful group of carnival goers in stream punk costumes

A cool place just to wander around and explore. Still an active military base so access is a bit restricted. If you’re wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of crowded laneways, this is a nice way to do it and also get some of the breeze. There’s a free boat that takes you across the water which makes things easier, and lots of cats in the surrounding area.

At its peak, the Arsenal in Venice was 110 acres, about 16 percent of the island, employed 16,000 people and produced about a ship a day. The Arsenal towers are modeled after the Arch of Sergii in Pula, Croatia. It's still a state owned facility so only government and military personnel are allowed. Worth a look but not much to do.

I'll give this place a decent rating, even if there is pretty much nothing left of it, and nothing to actually tell you what went on here. Then again, the contents of the Arsenale were a pretty big secret and maybe much of it actually died with the empire. Still, it is nice to wander around, and there are even a couple of coffee shops as well (though they are more a part of the modern art museum). It is a shame though that they had done little to capture the history of the place.

When we reached Venice, the Arsenale was the first place we wanted to see. It is way towards the end of the main street walkway. Just keep on walking and you will find it. We loved it because there wasn't a crowd anywhere in sight. It was nice, quiet and peaceful. The little water canal was beautiful as well as the sculptures and buildings in this area. There is a mini park like area on the side of the restaurant. There were benches under shaded trees to relax. The view from the bridge is beautiful and there are several spots that make for excellent photo taking. TIP: Cross over the bridge towards the restaurant. Head left towards the park and benches. There, in the corner, you will find a drinking fountain.