Castello is the largest of the 'Sestieri' and the most easterly district of the city. A number of notable churches worth visiting in this area include one of the greatest early Renaissance buildings in Venice; Santa Maria dei Miracoli with Niccolo di Pietro's supposedly miraculous image of the Virgin and Child over the altar. Due east, the church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, familiarly known as San Zanipolo, ranks as the most spectacular example of Venetian Gothic architecture and contains a number of Doges' tombs. Built in the seventeenth century, the church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, is relatively new. Vivaldi was choirmaster here and it is still used today as a concert venue. Entombed in the church of San Zaccaria is the body of St Zacharias, (the father of St John the Baptist) which was taken to Venice in the ninth century. The church also houses one of the best examples of Bellini's work, the Madonna and Saints altarpiece.
This region of the city houses one of the most under estimated treasures of Venice, the Arsenale, a testimony to the city's domination of the Eastern Mediterranean and master of trade between Europe and the East over five centuries. This huge shipyard played a vital role in the city's success and marble lions and a bust of Dante guard its impressive tower entrance. Unfortunately, it is still a military zone closed to visitors, but the nearby Naval History Museum (Museo Storico Navale) recounts the maritime history of the city.
South of the Arsenale are the Giardini Publico (Public Gardens), site of the La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale), a world's fair for the contemporary arts, held every two years, from June to September. Due west from the gardens, Riva degli Schiavoni, a busy and lively promenade with views over the harbour, leads to St Mark's Square.