The first thing that guests of Venice see when arriving in the city on the water by train is the Santa Lucia Station (Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia). This building can be called a "black sheep" among other Venetian buildings: it was built relatively recently: in the middle of the 20th century. Nevertheless, when the tourist’s foot just steps on the platform of Santa Lucia, he immediately smells an amazing Venetian smell of damp and mud, which, however, still conveys a certain romantic spirit.
The Venetians realized the necessity of building a railway station in the middle of the century before last, after the appearance of such an opportunity in connection with the new dam, which became the link between the city and mainland Italy. The construction work began already in 1861, and they were completed only almost a century later - in 1952. Several talented architects, including Angiolo Mazzoni and Paolo Perilli, worked on the Santa Lucia Station project, replacing each other. And 60 years later, builders and restorers worked on the building, however, only the interior design of the premises underwent changes.
The name Santa Lucia station in Venice was not accidental. Once upon a time there stood a church where the relics of the holy martyr Lucia of Syracuse, who is the patroness of the blind, were stored. The building was demolished, and the relics of the saint were transferred to the church of San Geremia, where they are to this day and where people who wish to bow to Lucia gather. And the station inherited an unusual name for such a building - Santa Lucia.
It is worth noting that the Santa Lucia station, despite all its multifunctionality, is still a very convenient and comfortable place, equipped with all the departments necessary for travelers. A lot of ticket offices work here, which virtually eliminates queuing, information stands and kiosks allow passengers to find out everything they need, after which they can wait for their train in the waiting room or spend time looking at the products of small shops and shops.
If you do not like to while away your time at the train station, go see the nearby sights. Not far from Venice Station, one of them is located - the church of San Simeone Piccolo, on the dome of which stands a beautiful statue of Jesus.
A little further, at the Ponte degli Scalzi bridge, stands the church of the same name, built by the religious order of Carmelite monks. If you have the time, take a walk across the bridge over the Canareggio Canal. On its other side is the area of the former Jewish ghetto, on the territory of which is now the Jewish Museum, synagogues, a restaurant with Jewish cuisine and a monument to the victims of the Holocaust. From Venice Station it is also easy to get to the central square of San Marco.
Which trains arrive at Santa Lucia Station
From Venice Train Station you can go to almost all major cities in Italy: Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, as well as to some capitals of neighboring states.
You can find out the train schedules at the Santa Lucia station, as well as clarify the cost of tickets and make reservations for them here: www.trenitalia.com.
How to get from Santa Lucia Station to St. Mark's Square
Santa Lucia Train Station is located on the banks of the Grand Canal, which is the easiest way to get to the main square of the city by water. Near the station there is a vaporetto stop called "Ferrovia", from which you need to take the route number 1 or number 2 and follow to the stop "S. Marco Vallaresso". A ticket for this water mode of transport will cost you about 6-7 euros. Vaporetto go to San Marco quite often - the interval is about 10 minutes.
- You can find the schedule and routes of the vaporetto here: www.actv.it/muoversiavenezia/.
