Only in 1854 was a second bridge constructed to cross the Grand Canal; in 1932 it was replaced with a temporary wooden structure, but, much loved, it has remained in place to this day as the Accademia Bridge which links the sestieri of San Marco and Dorsoduro.  Bordered on one side by the Grand Canal, on the other by the wide Giudecca Canal, and criss-crossed by tributaries, Dorsoduro is tranquil and picturesque, yet close to the main sites of Venice. 

Its chief attractions are the Accademia Gallery and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, as well as the churches of Santa Maria della Salute and Gesuati.  Dig deeper and you will find the lovely and very old church of San Nicolo dei Mendicoli, the gondola boatyard, and charming little spaces such as Campiello Barbaro and Campo San Barnaba.  One of the greatest pleasures of  Dorsoduro is to linger at a pavement cafe along the sun-soaked Zattere.