podtour
Rialto: The Bridge, the Market and the Money
The Rialto was the financial centre of half of Europe, and its market.
Zanipolo and Santa Maria Formosa: Heroes, Doges and Brides: audio walk in Venice
The Castello of heroes and festivals: a condottiere who wanted a statue in St Mark's Square and got one somewhere else, a headless doge buried under the campo, the skin of a defender of Famagusta, brides carried off by pirates and the night a mob stormed a palace.
What this walk is about
You start in front of a marble church paid for with offerings to a street-corner image, and cross a bridge from which a bronze horse suddenly appears: Bartolomeo Colleoni left his money to Venice on one condition, which the Republic met in its own way. At Zanipolo, where Venice said farewell to its doges, you'll hear about a doge's dream full of doves, the doge who was buried outside the church and whose skeleton turned up under the campo, and the story of Bragadin's skin. At Santa Maria Formosa come the brides kidnapped on their wedding day and the chest-makers of the Casselleria, the twelve Marys and the stone face Ruskin hated; you finish with the residents of the campo and a palace stormed in 1849 whose last owner left his library open to all.
- Start
- The Madonna on the corner
- Finish
- The night the crowd entered the Querini Palace
- Who it is for
- A walk for anyone curious about history and monuments and legends.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
- Underfoot
- The route notes mention stairs or steps on the walk or its approaches.
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The Madonna on the corner
- 2
The commander who wanted the square
- 3
Verrocchio, Leopardi and a disputed coat of arms
- 4
A palace façade for a hospital
- 5
Tiepolo's dream
- 6
The doge beneath the square
- 7
The defender of Famagusta
- 8
The kidnapped brides
- 9
Twelve Marys, sweet wine and a monstrous face
- 10
The people who made the bridal chests
- 11
The arch of the Paradiso
- 12
The night the crowd entered the Querini Palace
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
Venice, before you go
In Venice, the shortest way depends on finding a bridge. Set off lightly loaded, in good shoes, with patience for the detours the water imposes.
More walks nearby
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
Your first city,
on Podtour.
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A little welcome gift
Your first city,
on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.