Thousands of tourists flock to this romantic city every year. And this is not surprising, because it is impossible to take a step here so as not to stumble upon something interesting. The rich history, unique location, southern hospitality and the sights of Venice make it a truly desirable holiday destination. Walking the streets, riding the vaporetto, climbing the observation deck, visiting palazzo and churches, you will gain amazing impressions and new knowledge. The entire old part of the city and the Venetian Lagoon rightfully occupy a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We will tell you where to go and what to see first, and our guide will help you plan the best route.
Academy Gallery
Italy has long been considered the birthplace of excellent schools of fine art, where renowned artists from other countries, including Russia, traveled to study the skill of the brush. Florentine, Milan, Roman schools gave a start in life to brilliant painters. The Venetians, not wanting to lag behind other cities in this area, opened the Academy of Fine Arts (1750) at the initiative of the famous artist J. Piazzetta.
After the occupation of the city by Napoleonic troops in 1807, the word "Royal" was added to its name, and it was moved to the buildings in which it is now located as an art gallery of the Academy, as the richest museum collection of the best works of artists and sculptors of Venice of the past. The buildings of the former monastery and the church of Santa Maria are masterpieces of architecture, therefore, they are worthy of presenting the famous paintings of Bellini, Titian, Veneziano and other brilliant masters. Address: Campo della Carita, 1050. Entrance price: 9 euros, children under 18 - free.
Grand canal
It just so happened in the fate of the city that instead of streets, it has canals along which graceful vaporetto river trams, famous gondolas and other ships, delivering tourists and residents to different parts of the city, scurry back and forth. The Grand Canal is the main waterway that runs through all of Venice (from the train station to the confluence with the Giudecca and San Marco Canals). The width of the main channel (from 30 to 70 m) allows movement along it in different directions, and the length (3.8 km) is able to satisfy a wide range of tourist requests.
Sailing along the Grand Canal, you can see the most luxurious palaces, medieval churches and old mansions. They are lined with a multi-colored wall of facades on both sides of the canal, evoking the feeling of a beautiful fairy tale, magical unreality and charm. 4 bridges, each of which is very beautiful, cross the canal: the bridges of the Academy, the Constitution of Scalzi and the Rialto, They provide a transition from one side of the canal to the other, where the berths are located. On them you can wait for the next vaporetto or gondola, buy a ticket at the ticket booth. A trip along the Grand Canal is an unforgettable journey into the world of beauty.
Doge's palace
This monumental, majestic building is not only an undoubted architectural masterpiece, but also a historical monument. Conceived as the residence of the Doges (the supreme rulers of the mini-state), the palace was first erected on the remains of ancient Roman walls. After a fire in the late 14th and early 15th century. a new U-shaped building was erected, preserving its previous appearance, but more luxurious and rich, of white, gray and pink marble. A quick glance at all 3 facades is enough to determine that the palace is a real architectural masterpiece, the embodiment of the boundless work and talent of stone masons and architects. Arched vaults, figured spiers, sculptures, balcony railings - everything is done with filigree grace.
Above the front gate (Porta della Carta - Paper Gate) there is a sculptural image of a winged lion and a kneeling doge Foscari. The interior interiors amaze with majestic statues, massive marble staircases, luxurious wall and ceiling decoration. It is worth going here to appreciate the greatness of the past. Address: pl. St. Mark, 1.
Access: vaporetto "S Zaccaria"
Open to the public: every day in summer, from 9 am to 7 pm; in winter: from 09.00 to 17.00. Ticket offices close 1 hour earlier.
Ka'd'Oro Palace
The name of this palace - the pinnacle of grace and beauty - is translated as "golden house" for the use of gold leaf in its decoration. Although it has not survived, the name is firmly entrenched as a symbol of the extraordinarily beautiful appearance of the Gothic building. It looks like white openwork lace covers the central part of the facade: it is created by graceful columns with diamond-shaped weaves at the top, cruciform spiers on the roof attic, stucco patterns.
The palace, which officially bears the name of St. Sophia, has a rich history associated with many noble families of Venice and the wonderful architects-brothers of Bona. The owners of the palace changed periodically, and in 1894 they became Baron Franchetti, a fine art connoisseur, who collected a large collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, porcelain and antique furniture. He put in a lot of effort to recreate the original look of the Golden House. Now it houses the Franchetti art gallery, which is eagerly visited by tourists who are attracted by the neotrasio beautiful view of the palace. Address: Cannaregio, 3932, opposite the Rialto fish market.
Bridge of sighs
The Bridge of Sighs has brothers in name in other cities of the world, but only here it initially had a not very pleasant purpose. He connected the Doge's Palace, where justice was administered, with the prison building on the opposite side. Those who went to the prison cells sighed in pain, presenting their sad fate - hence the name. The structure was made covered to exclude the possibility of prisoners escaping.
Externally, the bridge, made in the Baroque style of white marble, is very beautiful and graceful, the luxurious stucco ornament gives it a poetically sublime look. The Bridge of Sighs is associated with legends about Casanova, who also walked across the bridge and became the only one who managed to escape from prison. It was Byron who was rumored to have expressed his opinion on the name. But the residents themselves are opponents of this interpretation, so they came up with their own legend: in order to consolidate the feelings of lovers forever, they need to swim under the bridge at sunset in a gondola and kiss. People always want to believe in the good - at sunset, queues of gondolas with couples line up near the bridge.
Rialto bridge
Venice is called not only the "city of canals", but also "bridges", because there are almost 400 such structures in it. The most ancient history of them has the Rialto Bridge, which was built back in 1281 from wood instead of a pontoon ferry. However, the first structure did not last long, like the other wooden bridges that replaced it, until in the middle of the 16th century it was decided to build a stone bridge.
The magnificent project presented by the architect de Ponte was approved, and in 1591 a grandiose structure was built, located on 12 thousand piles. The newly built bridge outwardly resembled the very first one - Ponta della Moneta, but it was named "Rialto" by analogy with the nearest market. The stone "Rialto" became a super-reliable canal crossing and a place of brisk trade, where many merchant shops were located at 48 meters in length. Nowadays there are still shops, souvenir shops, tourists love to visit. Residents honor the city's original business card and a monument of antiquity, which is the Rialto Bridge.
Saint Mark's Square
The main square includes 3 parts: the square itself and 2 sites - the Piazzetta San Marco (from the Grand Canal to the bell tower) and the Piazzetta Leoncini (from the side of the church of the same name and the Patriarchal Palace).This is a favorite place of residents, surrounded by buildings of stunning beauty, filled with pigeons, has repeatedly served as an arena for filming feature films and documentaries. The history of the ancient square, like that of the Cathedral of San Marco, is associated with the legends of St. Mark.
There is a majestic bell tower built in the 9th century. It is visible from all sides, because its height is more than 98 m (the highest among the bell towers in Italy). A visit to the square is a fascinating excursion into the past, contemplation of the beauty and grace of unique architectural monuments, the main of which is the amazing Doge's Palace. The square is always full of people strolling along it, looking at the facades of buildings feeding pigeons.
Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute
The appearance of this beautiful church was preceded by a tragic page in the history of Venice - a severe plague epidemic in 1631-32, when thousands of inhabitants died. The city authorities, calling in their prayers to the Holy Mother of God for the salvation of the townspeople, promised to erect a church if the plague leaves. By a happy coincidence, the epidemic soon stopped, and the city Senate allocated funds for the construction of a cathedral in honor of the savior of the people - the Virgin Mary. The church was founded in 1631 by the project of a young extraordinary architect Longen, and almost 50 years later on the island of Dorsoduro, a temple of divine beauty arose near the main canal.
The architectural masterpiece is a round octahedron of the Baroque style, lavishly decorated with graceful sculptures, openwork stucco patterns and many other decorative elements. The hemispherical central dome with a columnar spire crowning it rests on a drum with large arched windows. A smaller dome is installed a little further, next to the bell towers. Luxurious interiors can rival the world's most famous temples in beauty and opulence.
Address: Dorsoduro, 30123. Open: every day, 09.00 - 12.00, 15.00 - 17.00; 12.00 - 15.00 - break. Entrance - free.
St. Mark's Cathedral
The majestic temple is a place of tourist pilgrimage, famous not only for its magnificent architectural appearance, but also as the location of the ashes of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. According to legend, an angel appeared to the saint in a dream and prophesied that it was near the island of Rialto that his ashes would rest. The relics of the saint, stolen in Alexandria, were taken to Venice and buried in the chapel, in the place of which the doge's court cathedral was later raised, which later became the Cathedral (1807).
The current building of the cathedral was completed on the site of the previous one in 1063, taking as a basis the Church of the 12 apostles in Constantinople. But after that, it was completed many times, and as a result, the appearance of the cathedral reflected a mixture of styles of architecture from the Gothic to the Eastern. The five-domed roof is made in the form of a Greek cross, five entrances with high arches are decorated with openwork columns in the Byzantine spirit. Sculptures of saints are installed in the arches, beautiful mosaic panels are placed on the facade. The interior decoration dazzles with gold and bright colors.
Address: pl. Brand. Cathedral open: Apr. - November - daily, 09.45 - 17.00; Sun and Holidays. - from 14.00 to 16.00. Entrance - free.
Open: every day, 09.45 - 16.45.
Bell Tower: November - Apr - 09.30 - 15.45; May - June, Oct .: from 09.00 to 19.00; July - Sept., from 09.00 to 21.00.
Burano island
Burano is a fishing island located 7 km from the center, famous for its colorful facades of houses. Coming here, you find yourself in a colored fairy tale, like in a children's cartoon, where each house is painted in its own, non-repeating color. Reflecting in the water of the canal, the houses create a truly fantastic picture of a kaleidoscope. Blue, orange, hot pink, turquoise, brown tones paint a joyful landscape. Opposite almost every house there is a similar "funny" boat - the individual transport of residents of this amazing microdistrict.
A famous craft here was once the virtuoso weaving of openwork lace, the beauty and grace of which allowed them to be called Venetian lace, known all over the world. But now authentic products can be seen only in the Lace Museum: over time, the skill of lacemakers has sunk into oblivion. Tourists, visiting the island, go to the local pasture (bakery), where they buy delicious biscuits made from shortbread dough - buranelli. Vaporettos N 41, N42 and 52 leave for Burano every 2 hours.
Address: Calle Capele, 30142.
The museum is open: daily, except Tuesday: Apr. - Sept. - from 10.00 to 17.00; Oct - March: 10.00 - 16.00.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
The Basilica is an unusual religious Franciscan complex. Over the centuries, the Basilica has collected important and very valuable works, thanks to which you can take a trip through the history of art in Venice from the 15th to the 18th century. Among the many masterpieces preserved here, the Assunta, the famous work of Titian, and the famous Madonna of Pesaro, located in the Pesaro family chapel, stand out.
In the sacristy there is Bellini's Triptych Madonna and Child. Magnificent wooden choirs, numerous burial monuments of famous figures of the city, an extraordinary collection of sculptures are absolute masterpieces of the church dei Frari. It also houses the only Venetian wooden statue of St. John the Baptist by Donatello.
Open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. Sunday and holidays from 1 pm to 6 pm.
Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore
It stands on a separate island and is an excellent example of Renaissance architecture. It is one of the largest churches in the city with an impressive view of Piazza San Marco. The facade is made in a classic style with marble columns on a high pedestal. On the dome is a 3.85 meter high statue of St. George, which is covered with about 560 copper plates. This is the first time in Venice that a sculpture has been installed on top of a dome instead of a traditional cross.
The interior conveys a sense of spatial grandeur. This Benedictine church has an excellent collection of paintings. Among them are such valuable works as Tintoretto: The Last Supper and Manna from Heaven and The Adoration of the Shepherds by Bassano. Currently, Benedictine monks live in the Basilica. To enjoy the panoramic view, you need to take the elevator to the bell tower.
Open: from April to October every day from 9-00 to 19-00.
From November to March every day from 8-30 to 18-00.
Ca 'Rezzonico Palace
Located on the Grand Canal. This is a typical Venetian aristocratic building of the eighteenth century. It houses a precious collection of Venetian furniture and paintings from the 18th century. Of particular interest are the rooms with sumptuous frescoes by Tiepolo, Guarana and Guardi. The Egidio Martini Art Gallery, with nearly 300 works, includes paintings from the Venetian school.
Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31 10.00-17.00; from April 1 to October 31 10.00-18.00. Closing of the ticket office one hour before the visit. Closed on Tuesdays, as well as December 25, January 1, May 1.
Teatro La Fenice
The Teatro Grande la Fenice, located in the San Marco area of San Fantin, is today the main opera house. Twice destroyed and rebuilt, it was home to important opera, symphony seasons and the International Festival of Contemporary Music. In the nineteenth century it was the site of numerous premieres of works by Rossini, Bellini, Verdi. In the twentieth century, much attention was paid to contemporary art. The world premieres of Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Sergei Prokofiev and Bruno Maderna took place here.
After several fires, the masters in 2001 managed to recreate the atmosphere of the old theater. La Fenice was rebuilt in 19th century style. Jewelry made of gold and plush, exquisite plaster with stucco molding make the interior of the theater irresistible. It was equipped with additional rehearsal areas with modern technology, the number of seats increased from 840 to 1000. Excellent acoustics, orchestra and choir.And now the theater is a center of paramount importance, with more than a hundred opera performances a year, ballet performances and chamber music concerts.
Open to the public every day from 9:30 to 18:00.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the most important collection in Italy dedicated to American and European art from the first half of 1900. It consists of works by the greatest artists of that time: Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, Duchamp, Brancusi. Of great interest is the collection of Gianni Mattioli, which includes works by artists of Italian futurism.
The museum continues to expand its collections, displaying masterpieces from private collections. In 2012, eighty works of Italian, European and American post-war art from the collection of Hannelore and Schulhof became part of the Guggenheim collection. You can see temporary exhibitions, as well as Nasher's beautiful sculptural compositions. The museum is located in the palace Venier dei Leoni, bought by the Guggenheim.
Open from 10:00 - 18:00 every day.
Closed on Tuesdays and December 25th.
Venetian Arsenal
Venetian naval power was once widely known. The ships were built at the famous shipyard located on the island of Castello. The first building was built in the XII century, later it was rebuilt and expanded several times. The main entrance is located on the mainland side and is decorated with formidable figures of lions. Outwardly, it resembles a triumphal arch, and it is not surprising, because it was the strong fleet that provided Venice with influence on the seas. The Arsenal employed 16 thousand people.
Now it does not work and is in desolation. You can only see the part of the Arsenal, which hosts the Art Biennale. Some workshops and warehouses are closed to the public because they are used as a naval base. Nevertheless, Arsenal invites tourists to visit the Naval Museum, which is very close. It works every day from 8.45 to 17.00. You can get to this amazing medieval architectural monument by vaporetto №№ 1, 4.1, 4.2.
Bridge of the Constitution
This is one of the most controversial sights of the ancient city. The bridge spans the Grand Canal and connects the Santa Lucia train station with the bus station. It was built in 2008 by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Most residents of the city took this idea with hostility. People believed that a glass bridge would break the harmony of the ancient city and would be a clear dissonance in it. Indeed, this structure does not fit in with the surrounding landscape.
Another disadvantage of the bridge is that it turned out to be unsafe in rainy weather. Glass panels become very slippery when wet. The protests of the townspeople turned into public demonstrations, and the city authorities made symbolic concessions - they canceled the grand opening of the bridge. The construction was also accompanied by setbacks.
Calatrava was able to commission the bridge four years later than promised, and spent twice as much money as was originally announced. Less than five years later, the bridge required repair. The length of the bridge is slightly less than 80 m, and the width ranges from 10 to 15 meters. You can get to it in a couple of minutes on foot from both stations. It is worth visiting this scandalous attraction to form your own opinion about it.
National Library of St. Brand
Walking through the San Marco quarter, it is impossible not to notice the magnificent Renaissance building. Two rows of arcades, pilasters, white marble statues make the National Library a true masterpiece of the Renaissance. This largest collection of books dates back to 1469. Then Cardinal Vissarion presented the republic with a precious gift - a collection of books, among which there were early printed ones, and manuscripts, including those in ancient Greek and Latin.
Further, many aristocratic families contributed to the expansion of the library. In 1603, a special law was passed, according to which a copy of any book printed in Venice had to be sent to this library. This was the first such law in the world. This experience was later adopted by the British Library and the US Library of Congress. In the 19th century, Napoleon began to dissolve monasteries, and vast monastic collections of books entered the National Library.
Now this collection of books can boast of real treasures, which have no analogues anywhere in the world. Tourists can not only admire the building from the outside, but also see the magnificent interior decoration. The National Library is open on weekdays from 8.00 to 19.00, on Saturday - from 8.00 to 13.30. It should be noted that the working hours of different departments may differ.
Academy Bridge
This small bridge, 48 meters long, connects the districts of Dorsoduro and San Marco. It got its name in honor of the Academy Gallery's Italian art museum. The city authorities thought about building a bridge in this place back in 1488, but it was difficult to build the structure, and there was not enough money. Therefore, the construction was completed only 66 years later. It was based on steel parts. The bridge lasted until 1933. Then it was completely demolished.
The next version was made of wood and did not last long. In 1985, a new structure was built over the Grand Canal, which still serves today. The bridge has already undergone several reconstructions and is currently under discussion to demolish it and build another version. The Academy Bridge can be considered emergency due to heavy loads on the supporting structures. Weights are also added by metal locks, which are often hung on the railings by Venetian lovers.
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
This is one of the most unusual and amazing palaces. It is very compact and takes up a small area, but it is elongated in height. The palazzo was built in the 15th century by the architect Giovanni Candi. Many arches with graceful columns make the facade of the palace slender and light. But its real highlight is the external spiral staircase located in the corner round tower. It looks like a beautiful white spiral, thanks to which the word "bovolo" appeared in the name of the palace, which translates as "snail".
Previously, this building was one of the city residences of the Contarini family, which had a significant impact on the life of Venice. Suffice it to say that at different times 8 members of the family became Doges. The spiral staircase has recently undergone restoration and was reopened to the public in 2014. The palazzo is located in the San Marco area. From the Rialto Bridge you need to walk to Campo Manin, and there is already a sign on which the name of the palace is written.
Correr Municipal Museum
This gallery was founded in 1830 by the passionate collector Teodoro Correra. He was the owner of a unique art collection. He bequeathed the entire collection to the city. The museum is located in the heart of the city, on St. Mark's Square. The exposition is divided into three parts.
- Historical Museum
- Risorgimento Museum
- Picture gallery
All these collections are located in 33 exhibition halls. The museum displays historical documents, coins, weapons and festive clothing. Antique items that are kept there have witnessed significant events. There are many items that belonged to great people. For example, Admiral Morosini's pistol. He was very afraid for his life and saw intruders everywhere. This anxiety did not leave him even in church, so the pistol was made in the form of a prayer book. The treasures of the art gallery include the canvases of Bellini, Lo Schiavone, Lorenzo Veneziano, Antonello da Messina.
Open from November 1 to March 31 from 10.30 to 17.00. From April 1 to October 31, the schedule changes - from 10.00 to 19.00.
Cathedral of Santi Giovanni e Paolo
This church is one of the largest and most famous in the city. It is famous for its large collection of sculptures, Gothic style, tombstones for the Doges, of which more than 20 are buried here. The cathedral began to be built in the 13th century.This piece of land was donated by the Doge to the Dominican monks. The construction was completed only in 1430. From the moment of the consecration of the temple, memorial services for the deceased doges were held here, and they were buried right there. The interior of the cathedral amazes the imagination with masterpieces of painting.
It was here that the artist Giovanni Bellini began his ascent to the heights. The cathedral is also decorated with paintings by Paolo Veronese and Lorenzo Lotto. The sculptures should also be noted. In front of the church there is a masterpiece by Andrea del Verrocchio - a monument to the Condottiere Colleoni. He is depicted proudly riding a horse. He was honored with such an honor after he bequeathed his truly colossal wealth to the city.
Clock Tower of Saint Mark
The Clock Tower is rightfully considered the hallmark of the city; it is the most recognizable landmark. The place for its construction was not chosen by chance. The architect assumed that the clock would be visible even from the coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea. All guests of the city at the sight of the tower were supposed to represent the wealth and power of the city.
In the 15th century, not every city could afford to have its own clockwork, so the power of Venice inspired respect for everyone who went to its shores. All the images that adorn the clock tower have a symbolic meaning. On the flat roof there are two human figures - a young and an old one. They beat off certain periods of time with hammer blows on the bell. Several centuries later, the figures turned black and acquired the nickname "Moors".
They are designed to personify the time during which a human life passes. Beneath them you can see a lion that represents Saint Mark. The center of the tower is a bright blue dial, decorated with gold images. Tourists can view the clock tower from the inside. Guided tours in several languages are offered 4 times a day. It is worth ordering such an event in advance, because no more than 12 people are recruited to each group.
Scuola San Marco
Scuola is a charitable organization that has played an important role in the life of the city. This brotherhood worked for the benefit of Venice for 600 years, until Napoleon seized this territory and abolished all the scuoles. This organization was founded in 1260. Her goal was to help sick and poor people. The scuola was originally located in another building, which was destroyed in a fire in the 15th century. By the beginning of the 16th century, a new building was built.
Now it is a unique example of Renaissance architecture. Externally, the building resembles an elegant carved box. The facade is decorated with columns, niches, marble bas-reliefs. After Napoleon's invasion, a military hospital was located there, and many valuables were looted. In our time, the building is occupied by the city hospital. In 2013, it was opened to the public. On the second floor there is an amazing museum of medicine.
There you can see the surgical instruments used by doctors in the past. Scuola has a wonderful library, in which you can find even the works of ancient Aesculapians - Hippocrates or Avicenna. Even visitors far from medicine are invariably surprised by the interior design of the premises. Luxurious gilded wood carving will not leave anyone indifferent.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday. Opening hours from 9.30 to 17.00, lunch from 13.00 to 14.00.
Scuola San Rocco
This scuola was built in 1478 to help the sick and disadvantaged. It was named after Saint Roch, who was revered for his strength against the plague. In the 16th century, the scuola was the richest brotherhood in the city and announced a competition. The winner received the right to decorate the walls of the building. The renowned master Jacopo Tintoretto became him. 54 of his works have become a true treasure of the scuola.
To view the paintings in the order in which they were painted, you must first go through the first floor, and then continue the examination in the main hall on the second floor. The interior also impresses with beautiful wood carvings and allegorical wooden sculptures. The building itself is perfectly preserved. You can visit scuola any day from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, except for New Year and Christmas. The church is open every day, including holidays.
Church of San Zaccaria
In the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo V presented the city with the relics of Saint Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. To store them, the wonderful Church of San Zaccaria was built. In the 12th century, it was almost completely destroyed by a strong fire, and the city authorities rebuilt it. Later the church was rebuilt several times. For a long time there was a tradition - the Doge always attended this church on Easter. Now it is one of the most famous sights, and this is justified, because tourists have something to see in it.
Firstly, the façade is remarkable, which is a combination of two styles - Gothic and Renaissance. Secondly, in the main building of the church, the abundance of paintings is striking. The altar contains Bellini's painting Madonna and Child with Saints. There is little lighting for inspection, but you can put a 50 euro cent coin in a special device nearby, and the picture will be highlighted. You can go down to the crypt of the church, where the eight Venetian doges found their last refuge. The crypt is half-flooded, and this gives it a mystery.
Church opening hours:
Monday to Saturday - from 10.00 to 12.00, from 16.00 to 18.00.
Sunday - only from 16.00 to 18.00.
Campanile of St. Mark's Cathedral
The bell tower of St. Mark is easy to find in the square of the same name. In ancient times, there was a watchtower in its place, and there were no other buildings yet. The campanile, built in the 9th century, had several functions at once. She served as a beacon for ships. Also on its top were five bells, each of which had its own purpose and notified the residents of the city about important events. In the 15th century, lightning and an earthquake destroyed the bell tower.
It was restored only by 1513. A gilded statue of the Archangel Gabriel was installed on the top. A hundred years later, the building was supplemented with a loggia, which housed the guard of the Doge's Palace. At the beginning of the 20th century, Campanile experienced another destruction. The crack was the cause. This time, the restoration took only 9 years. The bell tower is 99 meters high and is one of the tallest buildings in Italy.
The pyramidal roof is crowned with a two-meter statue depicting the Archangel Gabriel. The observation deck offers an unforgettable view of the city and the sea. Residents believe that it was in this building that Galileo first used his telescope, and Goethe loved to go upstairs and write poetry there. He claimed that the views of the city gave him inspiration.
Campanile opening hours:
From October 1 to March 31, the bell tower is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
From April 1 to April 15 - from 9.00 to 17.30.
From September 16 to September 30 - from 8.30 to 21.00.
The bell tower is usually closed for repairs in January. It takes place from 7 to 24 January.
Columns of Saint Mark and Saint Theodore
Another small square adjoins Piazza San Marco, which is adorned with two majestic columns. One of them is crowned with a statue of a winged lion symbolizing Saint Mark. At the top of the second is the statue of St. Theodore. These columns were brought in in 1125, they were a trophy in the victory over Tire. Initially, three columns were delivered to the shores, but one of them sank and still lies at the bottom of the lagoon.
The other two could not be identified at once, and until 1196 they lay on the shore. Previously, criminals were executed between these two columns, since then the superstitious residents of the city try not to pass between them. Even after the installation, the tests for these attractions were not over. After Napoleon's invasion, the bronze lion was transported to Paris. When Bonaparte's empire collapsed, the lion went back, but during transportation it split into 84 pieces.
To restore them, they tried to melt down, as a result of which the sculpture acquired a frightening appearance. Only at the end of the last century did the lion regain its forms. Its history is unique.Scientists have found that the lion was cast in Assyria 2,500 years ago. Saint Theodore earned this place of honor because he was once considered the patron saint of Venice. In our time, the column is crowned with a copy of the sculpture, and the original is kept in the Doge's Palace.
Ponte delle Tette
This seemingly small nondescript bridge can be called one of the most piquant sights. The name Ponte delle Tette translates as "Bare Breast Bridge". In the Middle Ages, the city was famous for its courtesans. There were so many of them that at the beginning of the 15th century a decree was issued that limited the areas for their fishing. Prostitutes could only work in certain places and at certain times. The Ponte delle Tette bridge was one such place.
But what does the naked breast have to do with it? The fact is that at this time Italy was overwhelmed by homosexuality. This sin was punishable by death in those days. City officials did not lose hope that lost souls could be "cured" of their addiction by seeing a beautiful woman. That is why the courtesans were ordered to display their charms in the area of this bridge. These rules were valid until the 18th century. Then prostitution was legalized, and Ponte delle Tette lost its zest.
Naval History Museum
The entire history of the Venetian Republic is inextricably linked with the sea. This city has long been famous for its strong fleet, ships for which were built right there. In our time, fragments of this glorious past can be found in the Naval Museum. It is located next to the Arsenal, and the building it occupies was originally intended for storing grain. Only at the end of the 17th century, parts and models of ships began to be stored there. Now in the museum you can see unique exhibits - a model of a floating palace used in the ritual of "betrothal of the doge to the sea", torpedoes, boats, gondolas, models of fortresses, portraits of admirals, shells and so on.
From Monday to Thursday, it is open from 8.45 to 13.30. Friday from 8.45 to 17.00. Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00.
Punta della Dogana
Venice is a sea city, which means that trade has always flourished in it. The commercial activity has led to the creation of a customs office, which is conveniently located near the Arsenal. The building that tourists can admire today was built in 1682. A tower crowned with a sculptural group attracts attention in its architecture. The building functioned until 1980, then 20 years of desolation replaced the turbulent activity. Later, the city council decided to turn the former customs building into a space for contemporary art. It can be accessed on any day except Tuesday. Opening hours - from 10.00 to 19.00.
Shipyard San Trovaso
This is one of the oldest shipyards in the city. She specialized in the construction of gondolas. They were handcrafted and used in 8 types of wood. Until now, tourists can admire this process and take unique photographs. Free guided tours lasting half an hour are held for visitors. The shipyard dates back to the 17th century.
The wooden structure sits on a foundation made of larch trunks. The walls and foundations are plastered with clay for greater strength. A wooden structure is not typical for a city on the water, so it can be called a rarity. The shipyard has quite a lot of premises. Some of them are intended for production, others are still inhabited by the owners of gondolas.
Church of San Pantalon
The full name of this interesting building is the Church of St. Panteleimon. The Catholic temple strikes with the contrast between its external appearance and interior decoration. The facade of the church, built in the 11th century, is distinguished by its simplicity and severity. When examining it, tourists do not leave a feeling of incompleteness. But inside, visitors admire the masterpieces of Fumiani, Veronese, Veneziano, Vivarini and Longhi. Catholic service is inconceivable without an organ.
The musical instrument in the Church of San Pantalon dates back to 1803. The story of the creation of the main canvas that adorns the church is interesting. This is the painting "The Martyrdom of Saint Panteleimon" by Giovanni Antonio Fumiani. It took him 24 years to work on the canvas. This work was his last work. Tradition says that Fumiani died while completing his masterpiece. The cause of death was a fall from the forests. The artist was buried in the same church. The area of the painting is 443 sq. m. The church can be accessed from Monday to Saturday.
Opening hours from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 15.00. Free admission.
Casino
The casino was formally opened in 1959. Nevertheless, it can be safely called the oldest gambling house in the world, because the casino is the heir to the Ridotto traditions. This beautiful palazzo began to be built in 1481 and finished in 1509. The palace has long been the home of the royal family. In the 16th century, the palazzo housed a church and theater dedicated to St. Moses. The Ridotto gambling house opened its doors to guests in 1638.
It was a privileged place, only members of aristocratic families could get there. In 1774, the casino was closed. The palace passed from hand to hand several times. The city authorities bought the palazzo shortly after the end of World War II and opened a casino 13 years later. Visitors must adhere to a dress code to visit the palazzo.
Scalzi bridge
Most often, this is the first Venetian bridge that tourists see. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the railway station and has long become the hallmark of the city. The name translates as "Barefoot Bridge". There are two versions explaining its origin. According to the first, in the old days in this area there were quite a few beggars who did not even have money for shoes. The second version says that the church located nearby is involved in the name.
She belonged to a brotherhood of Carmelite monks, who are often called "barefoot". The bridge on this site was first built in 1856. At first, the townspeople perceived it negatively, believing that the bridge did not match the appearance of the city. It was also a hindrance to shipping, since the height did not allow ships to pass. All this led to the fact that in 1934 the bridge was rebuilt, making it 7 meters high. Nowadays, numerous souvenir merchants settled near the bridge.
Everyone opens the city in their own way. There are still many interesting places in this city-monument that deserve attention. Having been here once, you will want to come back again and again.
