Isola della Giudecca (sestiere)

A special viewpoint on Venice

 Giudecca island is the closest island to Venice; very densely populated, it has been named after an early Jewish colony or, according to another explanation, after zudegà, a Venitian word to indicate families who, back from exile, were given a piece of land here. Apart from an amazing view on Venice and on Saint Mark square, Giudecca island hosts the beautiful Church of Redentore, designed by architect Palladio, which on the third Sunday of July becomes the centre of the most popular fest of the the city: the Redentore.