- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- The Fondamenta of the Traghetto (Ferry) del Buso

The Fondamenta of the Traghetto (Ferry) del Buso
Near the Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice is the Fondamenta of the Traghetto del Buso.
The official version has it that this ferry was so named because it was located almost in a hole underneath the Rialto Bridge. However, there is a second and spicier explanation: this ferry was used to reach the Castelletto area, the red light district of Venice, near the Rialto market, on the other side of the Grand Canal, and then 'buso' would mean vulgarly the female sex. According to the Coronelli (author of a guide to Venice at the end of 1600s), the ferry was also called' the Ruffians' because it was used by pimps to take customers to their prostitutes.
According to the famous Giuseppe Tassini, who in 1800 wrote the impressive work 'the Venetian Curiosity', the name refers instead to a very specific event: the Government of the Republic had banished prostitutes from Venice, but then it was forced to call them back because a serious unrest broke out in the city; when the prostitutes returned to Venice, they all went to this pier near Rialto, which was called by the people jokingly 'the buso', referring to the profession of the 'maidens' who had used it.
If you like our 'Anecdotes and curiosities' section, Francesca, our brilliant author of these short stories and a licensed guide in Venice will be happy to accompany you in Venice to help you to discover many other mysteries, legends and curiosities in person, during a fascinating guided walk!
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: What happened on May 16 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Boldo (St. Ubald Bishop) a church was dedicated to the Sain...
ViewVenice: What happened on May 1 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today’s Saints are Sts. Philip and James, Apostles and Saint Scholastica, of whom ther...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 25 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Mark, Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice It is the First Fea...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 20 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Victor. - April 20, 1797: capture of the French friga...
ViewTop posts
Venice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewChioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
View