What is the Riva in Venice Italy?

The Riva degli Schiavoni (English: Slavonic Embankment) is an embankment in the sestiere of Castello in Venice, Italy, on the north side of the Bacino di San Marco, the large water space in front of St Mark's Square. It runs west from the Dogana building to the Sant'Elena gardens, and is considered to offer the best view of the Grand Canal. To its north lies the Castello sestiere, and the north quays of the Molo, the Riva San Biasio and Riva San Biagio.

Originally known as the Riva dei Panettieri (Bakers’ Embankment), in 1350 it became Riva degli Schiavoni (“Slav Embankment”) – the name reflecting its importance in the Middle Ages as a place where Slavic traders and sailors were known to congregate, notably Serbs and Croats. In 1687 the name was changed again to Riva dei Dalmati due Schiavoni (Dalmatians’ Embankment because of Serbs and Croats), because of the Dalmatians who moved there at that time. For most of its existence, the Riva was a thriving market place.

There are four lions along the Riva: one in the Campo Santo Stefano; two in front of the Hotel Danieli; one to the left of the gardens. At the western end of the Riva is the Giardino Papadopoli, a well-known private park.

Near the centre of the Riva is a column bearing the statue of the 16th-century general Vittore Cappello. It is a memorial to Venetian sailors killed in the Battle of Lepanto.