Castello is the largest of the six sestieri of Venice. Start at Campo Santa Maria Formosa, which takes its name from the Church of Santa Maria Formosa, with two facades (one Renaissance, the other Baroque in style), a Baroque bell tower and several artworks inside, including the St. Barbara polyptych by Palma the Elder, one of the most celebrated work by this Venetian painter of the High Renaissance.

Not far is Palazzo Grimani, originally the residence of the Venetian doge Antonio Grimani, a rare example of Renaissance palace. A collection of ancient statues that belonged to the patriarch of Aquileia Giovanni Grimani will return to the palace in May after 430 years, enhancing the classical atmosphere of the place.