Mestre

Mestre can be considered the “entryway” to the historical Venice. For this reason it is chosen by an increasing number of visitors that from there move easily to the old city on the lagoon. Mestre, that is under the municipality of Venice from 1926, is assumed to be the business centre of the area. Over the last decades, Mestre’s urban layout has undergone all-embracing changes. Recently the city centre, Piazza Ferretto, has been restored and modernized. It has happened the same to the two central Mestre’s parks: Parco San Giuliano and Parco della Bissuola. Although its modern aspect, the origin of the city are dated back to 1000, when there it was a roman settlement. In the past, the village was governed by different rules. Firstly under Treviso, then under Venice and after under Verona.

It was just in 500s that Mestre was definitely under the control of the Venetians. It has always been a vital centre for trades from and to Venice. If in the past rivers – such us Marzenago - and main roads – Castellana, Terragio and Triestina – where the ways for traffics, nowadays railways, Marghera’s port and A4 highway has largely improved them reinforcing the important role of the city. Piazza Ferretto’s worth visiting. Recently restored, it has a fountain in the middle of which a statue made of bronze has been placed. The statue is of Alberto Viani, one of the most significant sculptor of this century. There tourist can visit the church of Saint Lorenzo.