Campo San Barnaba (St. Barnabas' Square), Venice

The San Barnaba Parish, situated by the canal in its central square, was renowned in the 18th century as the dwelling place of the Barnabotti, impoverished noble families who resided in affordable lodgings to sustain their meager incomes. As members of the aristocracy, they were prohibited from engaging in trades or running shops. Some Barnabotti resorted to selling their votes to more powerful families in the Great Council ("Maggior Consiglio"), while others survived on meager state assistance, begging, or working in the state gambling house. Visitors to the city often marveled at the paradoxical sight of silk-clad beggars, as the Venetian nobility were required to wear silk, regardless of their financial means.

Today, the square and canal retain their quiet charm, adorned with a vegetable barge. The church, open in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, boasts a simple design with a Tiepolesque ceiling. Film enthusiasts may recognize it from its appearance in the 1989 film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". There are numerous dining options available, such as Oniga (12-11pm), featuring an eclectic yet cozy interior and delightful outdoor seating on the square. Their menu offers a variety of vegetarian and meat dishes, but the focus lies on fresh seafood, with their specialty being the "bucintoro"鈥攁 delectable combination of mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, and spaghetti鈥攑repared for two at a premium price. On the other hand, La Bitta (Mon-Fri: 7-10pm) provides a dark and rustic ambiance, resembling a welcoming bistro with limited indoor seating. They take pride in serving beautifully presented, traditional Venetian cuisine, proudly excluding fish from their offerings. Their attentive waitstaff and handwritten daily menu emphasize local ingredients, including rabbit, following a "slow food" ethos. La Bitta offers two dinner seatings at 7pm and 9pm, and reservations are required.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Campo San Barnaba (St. Barnabas' Square)
Sight Location: Venice, Italy (See walking tours in Venice)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Dorsoduro Walking Tour

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