Sestieri: an Italian specialty

What does sestieri mean? This word is the plural form of sestiere, meaning "sixth part"; it is the way some Italian towns were subdivided, when their territory could be easily seen as composed of six parts. This applies to Venice, and the historical and traditional subdivision is related to the following "districts": Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Castello, Dorsoduro.

In addition, the administrative territory includes some islands (the bigger and more densely populated Giudecca and Lido; then Murano, Burano, Isola di San Lazzaro degli Armeni, San Servolo, and several other minor ones).

The book "Venice from Above" gives you a better perception of the extension and location of the various sestieri, their connections, and their specific characteristics.