Chioggia

Chioggia sits at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon on a grid of canals crossed by bridges, laid out along one long central street, the Corso del Popolo, with parallel canals either side. Unlike Venice it is primarily a working fishing port: the fleet lands here and the covered fish market operates in the morning, supplying much of the region. The town has a Venetian look without Venetian prices or crowds. Goldoni set his play Le Baruffe Chiozzotte here, based on the local temperament and dialect. Sottomarina, on the seaward side, is a long sandy beach resort with its own separate character.

History

Chioggia was first mentioned by Pliny as the fossa Clodia, and local legend credits its founding to a Clodius. The oldest documents naming the town date from the 6th century AD, when it was part of the Byzantine Empire, and its name has passed through forms such as Clodia, Cluza, Clugia and Chiozza (Wikipedia, Chioggia).

Highlights

• The canal grid - parallel waterways along one central street.
• The fish market - a working morning market supplying the region.
• The fishing fleet - boats landing catch rather than carrying tourists.
• Sottomarina beach - a long sand resort on the seaward side.

When to go

April to October; the fish market runs in the morning on weekdays. Summer fills Sottomarina with beach visitors. Winter is quiet and damp.

What to expect

It is a working town, not a preserved one, with traffic and ordinary buildings alongside the canals. The market closes by early afternoon and on Sundays and Mondays.

Nearby

Venice lies north up the lagoon; the Po delta is south.

Key facts