The Giudecca, the stretch of land opposite the Zattere and so the rest of Venice, has always tried to preserve its uniqueness, especially in the face of rampant tourism; it is an area of the city that people proudly put forward as a living, authentic Venetians’ Venice, although, ironically anyone from the Giudecca is really a Giudecchino. Until half a century ago, many Giudecchini would easily never have left the Giudecca in their entire life, not wanting for anything they could not enjoy there already, from growing their own crops, fishing their own fish, and most importantly attending their own churches. The church of Sant’Eufemia is actually one of the oldest in Venice, established as early as 867 A.D., recognisable by its simple façade and row of white slim columns right next to a small bridge.
