The Forbidden Secrets of the Serenissima invites you to discover a hidden Venice, one few truly know: a city of courageous identities and forbidden loves. This exclusive tour explores the gay history of the Serenissima, amidst intrigue, desire, and forgotten tales.

The tour begins in Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini, one of the most evocative and beautiful corners of the city. From here, we dive into the meeting places of Venice’s ancient gay community: the Stue, mysterious spaces that anticipated modern gay bathhouses.

We then reach the Rialto Bridge, a place intertwined with the story of Rolandina, the first documented transgender person in modern history, who lived in fourteenth-century Venice. Their life - marked by oppression and courage - reflects the rigid Venetian laws and the climate of persecution faced by those who dared to love beyond accepted norms.

From the Middle Ages to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the city underwent surprising changes: a homosexual culture emerged, expressing itself through art, literature, and early forms of social resistance. Contemporary sources tell of cross-dressing, clandestine love affairs, gossip, and suspicions surrounding notable figures of the time.

On the way to St Mark’s Square, ancient erotic and libertine texts come to life through evocative readings, revealing the power and irony of desires that transcend centuries and still speak to us today.

An engaging tour that weaves together history, eros, and freedom - allowing you to experience Venice in a way you’ve probably never experienced before.

The tour does not include entry to museums or other specific sites.