Venice welcomes over 30 million visitors every year and almost all of them are missing one of the city's most picturesque landmarks. For the next stop on our 'Residence' tour we're hopping off the boat at 'Stadio Pierluigi Penzo' – one of the most unique football stadiums on the planet, and the home to Serie B side Venezia FC.
Located on the far south-eastern tip of the main island group the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo is criminally hidden from the millions of visitors to Venice each year – you'd be forgiven for even knowing the island has a stadium and a football team, let alone a second tier side. The ground couldn't be any further away from the only train station in Venice and as with anywhere in this unique city, the stadium is only accessible via boat or on foot. An unforgettable away day, if you don't get seasick.
There are very little to no clues or signs in the city centre that would direct tourists to the stadium, and unless you know where it is you'd do well to find it. Those who have done the research will find a beautiful stadium in a such a unique setting, with water surrounding the ground on two sides. It's genuinely one of those sights that can be appreciated by non-sports fans on a non-match day. If you happen to be around on a match day, then you're in for a treat.
Just a ten minute boat journey and walk through wooded parks from the Piazza San Marco centre, Venezia FC is real Venice and acts as a hub for the locals. With a bit of better PR this is a club that could blossom on a worldwide scene – if just 1% of those 30 million tourists paid a visit then the club would have to double their current modest capacity of 7,450 – should of course, they actually want that – there's a charming likability about the fact that this historic club is so low key.
If you're on the island it's a no brainer visit. Leave the overcrowded tourist spots and go in search for this gem. It's never more than a 30 minute journey away, and a journey which you can enjoy getting lost on as you venture through one of this planet's most stunning cities.
The Stadio Pierluigi Penzo was first opened in 1913 and is named after World War I pilot Pierluigi Penzo. It's the second-oldest stadium in Italy (the oldest being Genoa's Stadio Luigi Ferraris).
The record attendance at the stadium was 26,000 was for a 1966 Serie A match against A.C. Milan. The current capacity is 7,450.
Take a water taxi or water bus to Isola di Sant’Elena if you don't fancy the walk. ACTV boats 1, 51, 52, 41, 42, 61, and 62 all go to the Isola di Sant’Elena where the stadium is situated. This is a totally different match day experience. You'll long for it when you're heading to Burnley away on Tuesday night in January. Trust us.
Photography by Giacomo Cosua for SoccerBible.
