Venice is a city of great beauty and historical significance. Still, it is also distinct and unlike any other in Italy. Venice, the capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto Region, is actually made up of 117 small islands connected by several bridges and separated by a network of canals. Venice, with roughly 250,000 people, is not one of Veneto’s largest cities. Still, it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
Venice was an extraordinarily powerful bastion during the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance, serving as a significant financial and military center. Furthermore, it was a location that saw significant cultural and artistic development and was well-known worldwide.
LOST IN VENICE…JUST WANDER
1. St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica, unquestionably the most renowned and famous landmark in Venice, is a majestic piece of architecture that has endured the test of time since its construction in 1092 and remains one of the most prominent religious monuments in Northern Italy. From the elaborate detail, sculptures, and artwork on the front facade to the brilliantly painted frescos and Byzantine works of art on the inside of the domed ceiling, this cathedral has it all. This basilica, located in Piazza San Marco and easily accessible from the Grand Canal, is one of the best-known surviving specimens of Italian Byzantine architecture.
2. St. Mark’s Square
While St. Mark’s Basilica is the most well-known structure in Venice, St. Mark’s Square is the most well-known piazza. This piazza, located on the Grand Canal, opposite the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, is extremely important in Venice and a truly lovely spot to visit. A series of elegant structures with arched arches surround the Piazza, perfectly framing it. Furthermore, the square is home to several significant structures, including St. Mark’s Campanile, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Torre dell Orologio. Thus, this area is the ideal site to begin your Venice tour and see some of its most magnificent sights.
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3. Canale Grande
Venice contains hundreds of canals that connect the city’s different islands, the greatest of which being the Canale Grande. This massive canal, which seems more like a river, runs from one side of Venice to the other and snakes through the center in a wide S bend shape. The canal’s banks are lined with over 170 structures dating back to the 13th century. It has served as an essential waterway in the city for hundreds of years. Only four bridges span the Grand Canal since most citizens and tourists travel along with it rather than over it. Consider walking along sections of the canal, appreciating the structures that border it, and watching the heavy Venice boat traffic.
4. Ponte di Rialto
The Ponte di Rialto is perhaps the most famous and recognizable bridge that spans the majestic Grand Canal. The bridge, which connects Venice’s San Marco and San Polo neighborhoods, is an essential pedestrian thoroughfare and a renowned tourist attraction. This conclusion, originally a wooden bridge, stood for hundreds of years until it was destroyed in 1524. Following this tragedy, an elaborate stone bridge was constructed, which is still in use today. The bridge’s detail and design are just stunning, and its symmetry wonderfully frames the Grand Canal. Furthermore, several businesses on the bridge sell a variety of goods ranging from souvenirs to jewelry.
5. Gallerie dell’Accademia
This museum, located opposite the Ponte dell’Accademia on the Grande Canal, houses a fine collection of pre-19th century art, including Bellini, Canaletto, and Titian pieces. The gallery is set in a former convent turned into a museum in the mid to late 1700s. This exhibition is a must-see for everyone who enjoys Renaissance art and renowned classics. The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, which depicts the ideal proportions of man, is perhaps its most well-known work. Other significant works include Tintoretto’s Resurrection, Titian’s Virgin and Child, and Veronese’s Battle of Lepanto.
6. Venice Lido
The Lido is the place to go if you want to relax and get away from the crowd. This isolated island serves as a barrier between Venice and the Adriatic Sea. It boasts a long stretch of gorgeous beaches for visitors to enjoy. The Lido, which has about 20,000 people, also features several residential sections, stores, restaurants, and hotels. Lido offers a wonderful getaway from the crowded streets and waterways surrounding the Grand Canal with a much calmer, laid-back, and relaxed vibe than central Venice.
7. Doges Palace
Aside from the Basilica and Campanile, Doges Palace is one of the most well-known buildings in Venice. It is located on St. Mark’s Square but overlooks the Grand Canal. This magnificent mansion is stunning, with a beautiful arched design constructed of white stone on the front facade and a succession of diamond patterns on the walls. Inside, the Palace is just as spectacular, with several lavishly designed chambers filled with original decorations, furniture, and artwork. Tours of the Palace are available. However, it is recommended that you spend some time examining both the exterior and inside in detail to properly catch a piece of Venice’s history.
8. Bridge of Sighs
Despite being a modest bridge in the grand scheme of Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the city’s most visited monuments and an important historical landmark. The bridge connects the Prigioni Nuove to the Doge’s Palace by crossing the Rio di, Palazzo. According to legend, as prisoners were led from the Palace across the bridge, they would take one last look at Venice and sigh, contemplating their impending punishment and imprisonment. Therefore, it is an absolute must to see this magnificent bridge while visiting St. Mark’s Square.
9. Travel around the Grand Canal on a Vaporetto.
The Vaporetto is the principal mode of transportation in Venice – well, you may take a train into the main station and walk through the streets. Still, to properly experience Venice, you must do it from the water! The Vaporetto system is incredibly efficient and one of the quickest methods to travel to Venice’s many islands. In addition, you can purchase extended passes that allow for numerous usage, eliminating the need to purchase a ticket each time you use one. During your visit to Venice, try to use the Vaporetto as much as possible to enjoy the water traffic as well as the sights and sounds.
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10.San Marco Campanile
The campanile is the tallest structure in Venice, standing at a massive 98.6m in height. The current structure is a restoration of the original, which collapsed in 1902. The campanile was originally built as a lookout tower in the ninth century. Unfortunately, the tower has been destroyed by fire, earthquakes, and even lightning over the years. The main shaft is made of plain red-brick construction. Still, the bell housing and pinnacle have a plethora of arches and brickwork, and the top features a gilded figure of the Angel Gabriel. From the Piazza di San Marco, take in the view of the tower.
