Dorsoduro

The Santa Maria della Salute church stands at the southern entrance to the Grand Canal. The church was built in the 17th century, in thanksgiving for the city's survival of a deadly plague. The church has an imposing exterior and a surprisingly dull interior, but does contain some impressive paintings by Titian and Tintoretto.

There is a fantastic view of the San Marcho region from Dorsoduro from where you can see the Campanile of the Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace and several of the domes of the Basilica San Marco across the entrance of the Grand Canal. This happens to be one of the most photographed views in the world. In the distance one can also see the San Giorgio Maggiore church. a neighbouring monastery and the Santa Maria della Salute church.

On the north side of the Dorsoduro region is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Peggy Guggenheim lived in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni until she died in 1979. The collection includes works by her favorite modern artists, representing most of the major movements of the 20th century. Picasso, Kandinsky, Rothko and Bacon are all represented. Outside is a sculpture garden, where Miss Guggenheim and many of her pet dogs are buried. The museum also has an intricate gate, which has large chunks of coloured glass incorporated into the metalwork.

Santa Maria della Carità, a former church hosts a collection of Venetian art. Some of the works on display include the Coronation of the Virgin by Paolo Veneziano and Carpaccio's altar piece The 10,000 Martyrs of Mt Ararat. There are several paintings of the Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini. Other artists include Giorgione, Tintoretto, Titian, Giambattista Tiepolo

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