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This elegant waterfront mint was designed by Jacopo Sansovino (see Jacopo Sansovino) and completed in 1545, although a former mint had existed here since 1277. Operations came to a halt in 1870 and in 1905 the building became the home of the Marciana Library.

Now occupied by the university architecture faculty, these former cotton mills are a fine example of re-using the city’s derelict industrial buildings. The mills and their 1,000 employees were active from 1883 to 1960.

The 300-m (980-ft) long Corderie building in the historic Arsenale shipyards is the perfect setting for the Biennale Arts show held here since 1980 (see Arsenale), but in the past endless lengths of hemp rope were manufactured here. The Gaggiandre docks and 16th-century sailmaking area were adapted into a theatre in 1999 (see Arsenale).

Plans are afoot to convert this impressive Hanseatic Gothic flour mill dominating the Giudecca Canal into a conference and hotel complex. Built between 1897– 1920, workers pale-faced from flour were a common sight until 1954 when operations ceased.

The lagoon’s salt pans largely contributed to the Republic’s trade monopoly and salt was stored in these cavernous 14th-century warehouses. The buildings now store boats.

Few children can boast such a historic home for their primary schooling. A stone lion presides over this former state grain store, essential during the 1559 famine. It was converted in 1921–22.

The Neo-Classical former abattoir, its façade aptly decorated with bucranium (sculpted ox skulls), was restructured by the university when it was granted the premises in 1986.

A state-of-the-art research centre on coastal and marine technology now accounts for another vast area of the Arsenale. The 16th–19th-century shipyards, set amid a lush garden, were converted in 1991.

One of the city’s best public sports facilities is located in this series of modest repositories, including an indoor swimming pool, gym and bowls facilities.

New York-style loft apartments have been created from an old clock factory – one of many conversion projects taking place on Giudecca.