Rialto is truly the heart of Venice: its location made this island the core of the future city. Through the centuries Rialto became known all over Europe as the single largest emporium of oriental goods such as spices, dyes and fine fabrics.
Rialto nowadays is still a gathering and lively place: Venetians go to the local market to buy their fresh fish and vegetables.
Supported by noble Venetian families and wealthy foreign communities, the Franciscan Frari church boasts an extraordinary selection of works of art, most notably Titian and Bellini altarpieces.
This is the best place to admire world famous paintings still in their original location.