If Venice resembles a fish, then Chioggia, second in size of the lagoon, reminds one of a fishbone.
The resemblance of its the narrow lanes and alleyways of this splendid marine city to those of Venice provides another affinity. Yet Chioggia has its own individual and precise identity. Attacked many times through the centuries owing to its tie with Venice, the city suffered a major blow during the so-called 'War of Chioggia' of 1379/80; in this conflict the city of 'Clugia Minor' (corresponding to modern-day Sottomarina) was in fact completely destroyed, and was not rebuilt until almost 400 years later. The city is rich in historic and artistic testimony.
Entering through the 16th century Porta Garibaldi one is struck by the brilliance of the Duomo, re-designed in the 1600s by the great Baldassare Longhena, though in reality much older than that. The nearby Gothic church of San Martino contains a work by Paolo Veneziano.
The Corso del Popolo provides a continous parade of magnificent architecture and precious monuments: Palazzo Comunale, the Granaio, the 800 year old San Nicolò, San Domenico with its Carpaccio, the Baroque of S. Andrea, and Piazzetta Vigo with its 12 th century columns surmounted by 'El Gato', in reality a Venetian lion of Siant Mark, but so-called for its highly idiosyncratic features.
But one should not forget the fishmarket which raises on high the name of this fishing centre of the lagoon, characterised by the sight of its multi-coloured fishing boats. Between the port and the mouths of the rivers Adige and Brenta the vast sands of Sottomarina are to be found, the 10km of sand particularly noted for their mineral properties which in addition to their curative value also enhance suntanning. The town hosts a vast selection of holiday accommodation and facilities for both relaxation and sports.