For centuries an essential part of communal life in Venice was drawing water from the numerous wellheads dispersed throughout the city. During the Renaissance there were more than 1000 ‘vere de pozzi’ usually located in the centre of squares and courtyards. Wells supplied the population with fresh water by channeling rainwater which was stored in an underground cistern. The carved wellheads were also works of art, providing an opportunity to make public statements of allegiance or ownership.
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| Corte Tagiapiera |
Corte Tagiapiera
This court takes its name from the former workshop of a stonemason, tagiapiera in Venetian dialect.
Corte Petriana
In 1651 a public opera house, Teatro Sant' Apollinare, occupied part of a private house in this courtyard. The courtyard derives its name from the Petriana family resident in the 15th century. The stone portal bears the family coat-of-arms depicting a tree with a crescent moon at its base.
The emblem is surmounted by a figure of Madonna with Child in high relief that was probably placed to invoke the sacred protection of the place.
On one of the smooth columns supporting the portico is a carving of a dome-shape supporting a cross.
Corte Sant’ Andrea
This courtyard is named after the demolished church of Sant’Andrea on Certosa, one of the lagoon islands close to the Lido. The octagonal Istrian stone well-head is engraved with Venetian gothic arches and bears the Minottio family coat of arms.
The relief, depicting Saint Andrew with two devotees and a coat of arms, was added in the 14th century.
Campo San Raffaele
The term campo is based on campus, Latin for field, and is unique to Venice. The Venetian campi were indeed, half-rural spaces where food was grown, animals grazed, games were played and festivals celebrated.
