In the Middle Age, this district was once called “Olivolo”, probably due to a large olive grove, still actively exploitated at the time. The actual name, Castello, serves as a reminder that once a fortress had stood there on the island of San Pietro, although the fortress in question had since long gone. Castello is the biggest of Venice’s six quarters, stretching towards the east, to the immediate surroundings of San Marco in the west. It still holds the ancient atelier, shipyard and naval depot of the Arsenale, with its houses where the Arsenalotti once lived. Here the buildings are plain and simple, without any luxury. There is no palaces here, only houses, some of which are very modern, standing in the green environment of the place. At Castello you can still live in the first floor, while at the other districts the place is generally occupied by small shops. Slightly higher than the others, the grounds of Castello are never touched by high tides (Aqua Alta). Therefore, tables and chairs can stay outside. In a recent past, these places had been occupied by lacemakers, by fishermen repairing their fishnets and by card players, staying outside till the night fell.