Katharine Hepburn and San Barnaba Canal in Venice

Venice has a very special relationship with the cinema: it was 'used' for the setting of many films; in fact, it is an ideal setting for historical movies, adaptations of Shakespeare, romantic comedies and dramas - and every year it hosts the Venice Film Festival, the oldest in the world.

Among the many films set in Venice, the famous 'Summertime' film, shot in 1955 by Hollywood director David Lean (famous for 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'The Bridge on the River Kwai') tells the story of Jane Hudson - played by the amazing Katherine Hepburn, who was nominated for an Oscar - an American spinster who, with her lifetime savings decides to take a holiday in Venice. Having arrived in this unique city, she feels a sense of melancholy, seeing so many happy couples while she is alone. Moreover, in St Mark's Square she is pointed at by a Venetian and then accidentally ends up in his antique shop in San Barnaba. Upset over the meeting, the spinster falls into a canal in front of the shop, and then she gives in to passion, even though the antiques dealer is married. When the holiday ends, Jane prefers to go home, but always remembering her lover in Venice.

To shoot the scene of the falling into a canal in St Barnaba, the actress was very brave and repeated the scene three times! But the fall into the dirty water of the Venetian canals caused Katherine Hepburn a bad infection in one eye, which caused her suffering for the rest of her life.

This and many other famous film settings in the city on water in a fascinating guided tour to the Venice Film locations. Discover the immortalized places in the history of world cinema in the company of our trusted guide Francesca: curiosities, love stories and anecdotes of the many films set in Venice!