The Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice. It follows the course of an ancient riverbed and measures 2.5 miles (3.8km) in length, 100-300ft. (30-90m) in width and 16ft. (5m) in depth. Lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th centuries, the wealthiest and most influential Venetian families used this aquatic urban thoroughfare to build magnificent palaces such as the Ca’ Rezzonico, the Ca’ D’Oro, the Ca’ Foscari, and the Palazzo Dario to demonstrate their standing. Buona visita!