Porticoes of Le Colonete
A series of arcaded passages in Venice’s San Marco district, supported by columns and pillars that once stood beside a now-buried waterway. Today the porticoes host collective painting exhibitions.
At a glance
The Porticoes of Le Colonete occupy the site of Rio Terà de le Colone, a former waterway transformed into pedestrian passage through urban landfill. The name derives from the structural columns that support the buildings overhead. Venetian arcades of this kind served practical purposes—protecting residents from rain and flood while creating covered marketplace space.
History
The Rio delle Colonne was buried in 1837 when the city infilled the waterway to create usable land. The river had flowed from west to east, originating at the Rio dei Scoacamini and terminating at the Rio dei Ferali. A bridge known as the Ponte de le Campane once crossed the water; its name referenced an old bell foundry operated by the Castelli and Dalla Venezia companies.
The portico itself dates to this 1837 construction period. Historical records indicate that columns or pillars were already present along the former riverbank, continuing to support structures above after the water disappeared. Other Venetian streets bear similar names—Rio Terà della Colonete, Courts and Rami Colonne in Castello—all marking sites where columns once defined the urban landscape.
The area historically held social significance. The Procuratia De Citra administered housing here: 53 homes for worthy sailors and ten for impoverished residents. Eight additional houses accommodated noble women, established through a bequest by a priest named Zuane.
What you see
The porticoes present a covered passage beneath building façades, supported by the original columns and pillars that give the site its name. The arcade structure spans the length of Rio Terà de le Colone, creating a sheltered walkway characteristic of Venetian urban design. The supporting elements remain visible evidence of the waterway’s former existence.
Cultural significance
The Porticoes exemplify Venice’s pragmatic approach to urban development—transforming a tidal canal into productive civic space. The landfill technique used here, while commonplace in Venice’s history, permanently reshaped the city’s geography. Today the site functions as an exhibition venue, sustaining the Venetian tradition of public cultural gathering in covered urban spaces.
Key facts
- Address: San Marco, Portici di Rio Terà de le Colone
- City: Venice (Venezia), Veneto region
- Date buried: 1837
- Coordinates: 45.4352191, 12.3368252
- Website: https://www.conoscerevenezia.it/?p=38785#
Practical information
The porticoes are accessible to the public as part of Venice’s street network. Collective painting exhibitions are organized regularly in the arcades. For current exhibition schedules and opening times, consult the official website or contact local Venice tourism information.
Getting there
The Porticoes of Le Colonete are located in central Venice within the San Marco district, near Calle dei Fabbri. The site is accessible on foot via the standard network of Venetian pedestrian routes. Water taxis and vaporetto lines serve the broader San Marco area.
Sources & resources
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