Corte de la Comare, Dorsoduro. From Fondamenta de la Toletta cross the bridge (Ponte del Squero) to Fondamenta del Squero. Take Calle dei Cerchieri. The second sotoportego on the left-hand side leads to Corte de la Comare. Comare means midwife. There were several courts named this way making reference to the midwives that lived in their proximity. Midwifery started to be regulated in Venice in 1689 by the Magistrato della Salute. Midwives were required to know how to read and had to undergo training that included anatomy and two years of practice with an experienced midwife.

13th century illustration