Santa Croce gained importance as a sestiere (district)
when Piazzale Roma was created in the 1930s to bring
cars and buses close to the center of Venice.
Constitution Bridge spans the Grand Canal linking
Piazzale Roma to the train station. This area buzzes
with energy from travelers and students. Historic
palaces and former industrial buildings house some
departments of Ca' Foscari and IUAV Architecture
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universities. On the Fondaco dei Turchi, Venice's
Museum of Natural History offers Venetians prehistoric
thrills, plus an overview of lagoon fish and wildlife.
The Grand Canal, northern boundary of Santa Croce, is
lined with palaces and decorated by the tall green
dome of San Simeon Piccolo. Ca' Pesaro attracts
Venetians to its contemporary art exhibitions. The
Grand Canal exposes only one face of these buildings.
On the opposite side, the palace often interacts with
a square or a busy street to represent its
neighborhood identity.
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