Arsenale di Venezia

What makes it special

Early industrial giant

Occupying around 15% of Venice, the shipyards had at their peak an army of 16,000 workers that could construct a galley in just a few hours using an advanced assembly line.

Motivation

For centuries, Venice controlled the eastern Mediterranean. The success of the Arsenale stemmed from defense spending driven by the perceived threat of the Ottoman Empire.

Origin of the name

Still in use in modern Italian, 'arsenale' is derived from the Arabic 'Daras-sina’ah' meaning 'house of industry'. The term 'darsena' continues to denote an 'artificial water basin' used for docks on inland waterways.

Northern section

You can visit ancient sheds and docks, read the excelent informative panels and enjoy refreshments at the Tesa 105 while spotting the 46m (150ft) military submarine Enrico Dandolo (S 513) along with the massive 1885 hydraulic Gru Armstrong crane.

'Building bridges'

Lorenzo Quinn's monumental sculpture features six giant pairs of hands joined together atop a northern dock, symbolizing six universal values of humanity: friendship, faith, help, love, hope and wisdom.

Why visit Arsenale

Perfect for boys of all ages, yet everyone will be amazed by the history of the complex and fascinated by the giant sculpture depicting six pairs of hands.

Start exploring

• Go to the main gate

  Can you spot the viking runes on the Piraeus Lion?

  Read about the runes

• Enter the northern section

  Free of charge and opened all year round, it should provide sufficient insight into the entire complex.

  The easiest way to reach it is to take the water bus (#4.x or #5.x) to stop 'Bacini - Arsenale Nord'.

  Get waterbus day passes

  • Select provider

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  • Venezia Unica

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  • GGet Your Guide

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  • TTiqets

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  • HHeadout

  Waterbus Guide

• How about the southern section?

  This section is utilized by the La Biennale di Venezia Foundation and is accessible only during the exhibition months from late April to November.

  Visit Venice Biennale website

• Enter the submarine you just saw!

  How thrilling would it be to step inside a military submarine from the Cold War era and discover what life was like beneath the surface?

  Explore the entire 46 m (150 ft) Enrico Dandolo (S 513) submarine from the engine room to the torpedo chamber with a guided tour that also includes entry to Naval History Museum.

  Get inside the sub

  • Select provider

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  • Naval History Museum

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  • GGet Your Guide

Connect the dots

• Arsenalotti

  This is the nickname for the Arsenale workers, also known as the Castellani.

  Their rivalry with the Nicolotti culminated in epic fistfights at bridges such as Ponte dei Pugni.

  Explore Ponte dei Pugni