Venice is fabulously attractive and unique city not only within the borders of Italy, but also on a global scale, which has become the true dream of any tourist. Despite the fact that the population of Venice is slightly more than 264 thousand people, and its historical part is altogether 58 thousand, this fantastically beautiful city on the water, located on 118 islands of the Adriatic Sea, is visited by up to 5 million tourists from different countries peace.

It is no coincidence that this extraordinary city with magnificent palazzos of the 14th-16th centuries, built on stilts from Alpine larches right on the waters of the Venetian Lagoon, was included in cultural heritage UNESCO. The unique architecture of Venice, its canals and bridges, gondola rides, the famous carnival and film festival have brought the beautiful city world fame.

Venetians consider this square to be the heart of their beautiful city. For many centuries, Piazza San Marco has attracted thousands of people; city celebrations and the Venetian carnival take place here. Many tourists get to the legendary square from the embankment, from the pier on the Grand Canal.

First they find themselves in a small area of ​​​​the square, it is called the piazzetta. This place is unique. Before the eyes of tourists on the right appears the Doge's Palace, unique in its architectural sophistication, and on the left a magnificent library building. Closer to the embankment you can see two columns topped with the figures of St. Theodore and a winged lion. The main dominant feature of the city on the water, the Campanile of St. Mark, is also located here. The square itself, which has a rectangular shape, opens immediately behind it.

A true architectural diamond of the square – St. Mark's Cathedral, it is adjacent to the Doge's Palace. Opposite the cathedral are the Procuration buildings, today on their first floors there are cafes and restaurants popular with tourists. And also the Clock Tower.

Address: C. Mayor - Piazza San Marco, 30100.

This impressive building on St. Mark's Square is an example of the unique Venetian Gothic style. The Doge's Palace is located so that its facade faces the piazzetta, and its right side faces the sea.

The palace building was built in the 14th-15th centuries and was restored after a fire in the 16th century. During the Republic, it was the residence of the Doges. All supreme power was concentrated here. The Doge went out onto the balcony in the central part of the palace to appear before the people.

The facade of the palace with its mosaic pattern is magnificent. Above the entrance, attention is drawn to the image of Doge Foscari, kneeling before the symbol of Venice - a lion with wings. The palace is decorated with arched galleries and magnificent sculptures in the courtyard.

Address: San Marco, 1.

Main Cathedral Venice, as they call it Basilica of San Marco, is located on the square of the same name. The extraordinary beauty of the cathedral fascinates many tourists. Founded in 829, it is an example of Byzantine architecture, complemented by elements of other styles.

In front of the cathedral you want to stop and look at it for hours. This basilica in the shape of a Greek cross is topped with five domes, which appeared here in the 13th century. The marble façade is decorated with gilded mosaics and columns, ornaments, figures of saints and evangelists; above the main entrance to the cathedral you can admire the mosaics and loggia with a quadriga of powerful bronze horses. Inside, the cathedral amazes with an abundance of luxurious mosaics and a golden altar.

Address: San Marco, 328.

The tallest building in Venice is the cathedral's bell tower or, as it is called, the campanile. Bell tower height approx. 99 meters, a pyramidal spire with a golden weather vane with a figurine of an angel installed on it. It is surprising that, having stood since the beginning of the 16th century, the bell tower suddenly collapsed at the very beginning of the 20th century under the influence of natural factors - lightning strikes and earth vibrations.

A decade later it was restored to its original form. Today, tourists can take the elevator up to the bell tower, and it is worth doing so to admire the panoramic view of the city.

Address: San Marco 328, 31024.

Two granite columns are the first thing tourists see as soon as they step onto the piazzetta from the embankment. They were erected here in 1196.

On the capital of one of them there is a bronze winged lion, which became the symbol of Venice, on the other there is a white marble figure of St. Theodore with a spear, at whose feet there is a crocodile; he has been considered the patron saint of Venice since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, the space between the columns was a place of execution; superstitious Venetians even today try not to pass between them.

Address: Piazza San Marco.

Another iconic landmark, the unusual clock tower is an undoubted decoration of St. Mark's Square. The clock tower, located in its northern part, faces the lagoon, and, sailing past on the water, you can find out the time. This Renaissance creation was erected at the end of the 15th century.

At the very top of the tower you can see two male bronze figures, they are mobile and strike the bell standing there. Below, on a bright blue background with golden stars, the symbol of Venice is a winged lion with a book. And also a bronze Virgin and Child, to the right and left of her on a blue background you can see a clock and a round dial with the signs of the zodiac, at the bottom there is a large arch through which you can go to Merceria - the main street of the city.

Address: Torre dell'orologio.

The main water artery of the city, the Grand Canal, runs through the whole of Venice, it is unusual for its curved shape, its length just under 4 thousand meters.

Instead of embankments, on both sides of the canal there are palaces facing the water, more than a hundred of them, and buildings on stilts, the beauty of which tourists never cease to admire while riding along the Grand Canal on vaporettos and gondolas. The canal is crossed by only four bridges, including the famous Rialto Bridge.

The most famous Venetian arch bridge, the Rialto, was built in the 16th century. Its length is about 50 meters and it is located at the place where the channel narrows as much as possible. The bridge is original in that there are more than two dozen souvenir shops on it in galleries in the form of arches, with stairs leading to them. The central part of the bridge is decorated with two more arches.

Address: Sestiere San Polo, 30125.

It’s rare that a tourist who has visited Venice does not have a photo with the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background. Such a magnificent island in the middle of the lagoon is just a godsend for photographers. It was famous back in Roman times for its monastery with vineyards.

At the end of the 16th century, Andrea Palladio began to build his famous cathedral here. Today you can admire the quadrangular tower of the cathedral both from Slavyanskaya embankment and during boat trip. The cathedral houses many painting masterpieces, including Tintoretto’s “The Last Supper.”

Address: Isola di S. Giorgio Maggiore, 30133.

This Baroque cathedral, located on a canal, took 50 years to build, it was erected in the 17th century on the occasion of the city’s deliverance from the plague, which claimed the lives of a third of the Venetians. The octagonal white stone basilica with a huge dome stands on wooden stilts fixed to the bottom of the canal. The steps of the cathedral go straight to the water.

Address: Fondamenta Salute, 301233.

Among hundreds of palazzos on the Grand Canal, the Ca' d'Oro Palace attracts attention with the splendor of Venetian Gothic. When it was built in the 15th century, it was called "golden" because of its decoration, and then it was rebuilt.

The last owner of the palazzo restored it historical appearance and collected in it an excellent collection of paintings, which is kept here today.

Address: Cannaregio, 3933, 30121.

The Museum of 18th Century Venice is located in the Ca'Rezzonico Palace on the Grand Canal. This palazzo was built in 1745, its main “highlight” is the grandiose frescoes of the famous Tiepolo. The palace is named after the owner. It is worth visiting this museum to get a closer look at the Venetian art of this period.

Address: Dorsoduro, 3136, 30123.

Venice is unique for its numerous canals; the city literally stands on 118 islands of the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian canals, glorified in painting and music, leave no one indifferent, and riding gondolas along them is a fabulous experience for a lifetime. Sometimes you wonder how skillful gondoliers navigate narrow canals with their exotic boats.

This bridge, hanging over the Palace Canal, is famous for its romantic name, although there is no romance in the Bridge of Sighs. Once upon a time, convicts were led along it from the Doge's Palace, where the court was located, to prison, and future prisoners sighed for freedom. The bridge was built at the very beginning of the 17th century in the Baroque style, and today it delights tourists with its architecture.

Address: Piazza San Marco- 1, 30100.

St. Mark's Basilica is a unique cathedral in Venice, which was the court chapel at the Doge's Palace until 1807. It represents a rare example of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe. The temple is located on St. Mark's Square, not far from the Doge's Palace.

The cathedral is decorated with numerous mosaics, which are made in the Byzantine style and is home to the relics of St. Mark the Apostle, as well as many valuable objects of art that were taken from Constantinople during the Crusades. In 1987, the temple was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The long construction of the cathedral influenced its architectural style. At first it was built as a Greek classical basilica, with a severe Romanesque façade, but over the years of reconstruction it acquired its modern image, in which a variety of styles were mixed. This can be explained by the fact that oriental marble and columns were used in the decoration of the temple, as well as Romanesque and Greek bas-reliefs brought to Venice at various times. The architecture of the building contains Italian and Byzantine sculptures.

Coordinates: 45.43437800,12.33987500

Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco - main square Venice. The famous Cathedral of San Marco. Evangelist Mark is considered the patron saint of Venice. Now it is a functioning temple. The Cathedral of San Marco has become a symbol of Venice. Nearby is the Doge's Court.

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Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace has been and remains the hallmark of Venice for centuries. After all, it was this building that opened up to the eyes of those who came here by sea. The rulers of Venice lived here, the Great Council, the Senate and the Supreme Court met here. From the balcony overlooking the bay from the Great Council Hall, the Doge personally greeted the guests arriving in Venice.

In the middle of the 16th century. Venice was already an almost fully formed integral urban area. By this time, the area adjacent to the Palace of the Rains and St. Mark's Cathedral was already completely in order. The disorderly development of the quarter was eliminated thanks to the efforts of the Florentine architect Jacopo Tatti. The creation of the magnificent ensemble of the Piazzetta was also completed, which, together with St. Mark's Square, is the true pearl of the center of Venice. It was the best place for the construction of one of the most magnificent architectural structures of the city - the Doge's Palace, the residence of the lifelong rulers of the Venetian Republic.

The construction and decoration of the Doge's Palace lasted several centuries. Almost nothing remains of the original structure, built before 1000 on the basis of Roman walls and destroyed by fire. The building we see now was built between 1309 and 1424. The idea of ​​the creators of the luxurious palace complex of Venice was to surprise foreign ambassadors, which is why the interior decoration of the palace was so luxurious, on which the best craftsmen of that time worked

The Bridge of Sighs is an ancient arched bridge located in Venice, Italy. The bridge is very beautiful and is very popular among tourists.

The Bridge of Sighs spans the Palace Canal. It connects the Doge's Palace, where the city court used to be located, and the building of the former Venetian prison. The bridge got its name precisely because of the sad sighs of convicted criminals who were sent to serve their sentences.

However, despite the sad history of the origin of the name, the architecture of the bridge cannot be called gloomy. The Bridge of Sighs was built in 1602 under the direction of the architect Antonio Conti, who richly decorated his creation with Baroque carvings and white marble. The bridge looks very light and airy.

Today the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most romantic sights of Venice and most popular place for dates. According to local legends, a couple in love who kissed on this bridge will never break up. In addition, the Bridge of Sighs is especially loved by tourists - it is truly very beautiful, and rarely does any excursion around the city complete without visiting it.

Coordinates: 45.43364300,12.34098000

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the most ancient bridge, which connects the two banks of the Grand Canal in Venice. The Rialto is also one of the most famous and popular attractions in Venice. Initially, the banks of the canal were connected wooden bridges, but after several destructions, in 1591 the bridge was erected in stone.

The design of the bridge required that it be able to support the retail shops that could be located under its arcades. As a result, the bridge turned out to be not only durable, but also beautiful, still decorating the city. The length of the bridge arch is 28 meters, maximum height on water - 7.5 meters. There are 24 souvenir shops on the bridge. The best way to view the bridge in detail is from the water, and from the bridge itself there is a beautiful view of the city.

Coordinates: 45.43806700,12.33590600

Falling tower

The bell tower of one of the ancient churches in Venice is slowly but surely falling to one side. The Venice City Office for the Observation of Historical Monuments examined the bell tower of the Gothic Church of San Stefano, built in the 16th century. It turned out that over the past 60 years, since the last inspection, the bell tower has tilted sideways by 6.1 cm. To this we must add the tilt that has formed over several centuries since the building was built. In 1770, the slope was 80 centimeters, and by 1900 it had increased to 170 centimeters, and is now about 180 centimeters.

Venice Airport

On average, Marco Polo Airport serves 6 million passengers per year. The airport terminal was reconstructed in 2002 and now consists of three floors. The first floor receives arriving passengers. Registration and lounges, as well as shops duty free and a cafe occupy the second floor. And on the third there are airline representative offices. The airport accepts a large number of international charter and cargo flights.

You can get to the city from the airport by bus. Tickets are expensive by European standards: depending on the class of bus, they cost 3-4 euros, but they depart every 15 minutes. The travel time will be a little less than half an hour. If you need to get there faster and with maximum comfort, you can use a taxi, but here the prices are quite steep - on average, such a trip will cost 30 euros. For those who are not in a hurry and want to admire the local beauty, there is a water taxi - a motoscaf. A ticket to the city costs 6 euros and the journey takes about an hour.

Coordinates: 45.50527800,12.35194400

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Fish market

The most famous market in Venice is La Pescheria, which means fish market.

Fish is the main thing here, but, of course, they sell everything - vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, spices, and in covered shops - meat and sausages. By the way, this is the oldest market in Europe - it existed in the Middle Ages. All guidebooks mark it as one of the attractions of Venice, so people come here not only to shop, but also to look and take photographs.

The market is located on the banks of the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge and is open daily from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 am to noon.

Coordinates: 45.43691800,12.33193900

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More sights of Venice

Thousands of tourists flock to this romantic city every year. And this is not surprising, because it is impossible to take a step here without stumbling upon something interesting. The rich history, unique location, southern hospitality, and attractions of Venice make it a truly desirable holiday destination. Walking the streets, riding a vaporetto, going up to the observation deck, visiting palazzos 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 List world heritage UNESCO. We'll tell you where to go and what to see first, and our guide will help you plan the optimal route.

Italy has long been considered the birthplace of excellent schools of fine art, where famous artists from other countries, including Russia, went to study brushwork. The Florentine, Milanese, and Roman schools gave brilliant painters a start in life. The Venetians, not wanting to lag behind other cities in this area, opened the Academy fine arts(1750) on the initiative of the famous artist G. 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 the Academy Art Gallery, 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 themselves are masterpieces of architecture, so they are worthy of representing the famous paintings of Bellini, Titian, Veneziano and other brilliant masters. Address: Campo della Carita, 1050. Entry price: 9 euros, children under 18 years old - free.

Grand Canal

It just so happened in the fate of the city that instead of streets it has canals along which graceful water buses-vaporetto, famous gondolas and other vessels that deliver tourists and residents to different points of the city. The Grand Canal is the main water street running through the whole of Venice (from the station to the confluence with the Giudecca and San Marco canals). The width of the main canal (from 30 to 70 m) allows you to move along it in different directions, and the length (3.8 km) can satisfy a wide range of tourist needs.

Sailing along the Grand Canal, you can see the most luxurious palaces, medieval churches and ancient mansions. They lined up a multi-colored wall of facades on both sides of the canal, evoking a feeling of a wonderful fairy tale, magical unreality and charm. 4 bridges, each of which is very beautiful, cross the canal: the Accademia, Scalzi and Rialto bridges. They provide passage from one bank of the canal to the other, where the berth stops are located. You can wait for the next vaporetto or gondola there, or purchase 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 historical monument. Conceived as the residence of the doges (supreme rulers of a mini-state), the palace was first built on the remains of ancient Roman walls. After the fire at the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century. a new U-shaped building was erected, preserving its original appearance, but more luxurious and rich, made of white, gray and pink marble. A quick glance at all 3 facades is enough to determine that the palace is real architectural masterpiece, the embodiment of the boundless labor and talent of master stonemasons and architects. Arched vaults, figured spiers, sculptures, balcony railings - everything is done with filigree grace.

Above the front gate (Porta della Carta - Paper Gate) rises a sculptural image of a winged lion and a kneeling Doge Foscari. The interiors amaze with majestic statues, massive marble staircases, and luxurious decoration of walls and ceilings. It is worth visiting here to appreciate the greatness of the past. Address: pl. St. Mark, 1.

How to get there: Vaporetto “S Zaccaria”

Open to the public: every day in summer, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; in winter: from 09.00 to 17.00. The ticket office closes 1 hour earlier.

Ca'd'Oro Palace

The name of this palace - the height 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 extraordinary beautiful view Gothic building. It’s as if white openwork lace covers the central part of the facade: it is created by graceful columns with diamond-shaped weaves at the top, cross-shaped spiers on the roof attic, and stucco patterns.

The palace, officially named after St. Sophia, has a rich history associated with many noble families of Venice and the wonderful architects Bona brothers. The owners of the palace changed periodically, and in 1894 it became Baron Franchetti, a fine connoisseur of art, who collected a large collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, porcelain and antique furniture. He put a lot of effort into recreating the former appearance of the Golden House. Now it houses the Franchetti art gallery, eagerly visited by tourists who are attracted by the irresistibly beautiful view of the palace. Address: Cannaregio, 3932, opposite the Rialto fish market.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs has brothers by name in other cities of the world, but only here it initially had a not very pleasant purpose. It connected the Doge's Palace, where justice was administered, with the prison building located on the opposite side. Those going to the prison cells sighed painfully, imagining their sad fate - hence the name. The building was made covered to prevent the possibility of prisoners escaping.

Externally, the bridge, made of white marble in the Baroque style, is very beautiful and elegant; the luxurious stucco ornamentation gives it a poetically sublime appearance. 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 cement the feelings of lovers forever, they need to sail under the bridge at sunset in a gondola and kiss. People always want to believe in good things - whole lines of gondolas with couples line up near the bridge at sunset.

Rialto Bridge

Venice is called not only the “city of canals”, but also “bridges”, because it has almost 400 such structures. Most ancient history Of these, there is the Rialto Bridge, which was built back in 1281 from wood instead of a pontoon crossing. However, the first structure did not last long, like the other wooden bridges that replaced it, until the decision was made to build a stone bridge in the mid-16th century.

The magnificent project presented by the architect de Ponte was approved, and in 1591 a grandiose structure stood on 12 thousand piles. The newly built bridge outwardly resembled the very first one - Ponta della Moneta, but they called it “Rialto” by analogy with the nearest market. The stone “Rialto” became a super-reliable crossing across the canal and a place of brisk trade, where many merchant shops were located along its 48 m length. Nowadays there are still shops and souvenir shops here, tourists love to visit. Residents honor the unique calling card of the city and the ancient monument that is the Rialto Bridge.

St. Mark's Square

The main square includes 3 parts: the square itself and 2 platforms - Piazzetta San Marco (from the Grand Canal to the Bell Tower) and Piazzetta Leoncini (from the side of the church of the same name and the Patriarchal Palace). This favorite place 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 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 walking 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 - the severe plague epidemic of 1631-32, when thousands of residents died. The city authorities, calling on the Holy Mother of God in their prayers for the salvation of the townspeople, promised to erect a church if the plague went away. 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 according to the design of the young extraordinary architect Longen, and almost 50 years later a temple of divine beauty arose on the islet of Dorsoduro, near the main canal.

The masterpiece of architecture is a round octagon of the Baroque style, lavishly decorated with elegant 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. The smaller dome is installed a little further, next to the bell towers. The luxurious interior decoration can compete in beauty and wealth with the most famous temples in the world.

Address: Dorsoduro, 30123. Open: every day, 09.00 - 12.00, 15.00 - 17.00; 12.00 – 15.00 – break. Entry is 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 Rialto Island that his ashes would rest. The relics of the saint, stolen in Alexandria, were taken to Venice and buried in the chapel, on the site of which the Doge's court cathedral later rose, which later became the Cathedral (1807).

The current cathedral building was completed on the site of the previous one in 1063, taking the Constantinople Church of the 12 Apostles as a basis. But after that, it was completed many times, and as a result, the appearance of the cathedral reflected a mixture of architectural styles from Gothic to Oriental. 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. There are sculptures of saints in the arches, and beautiful mosaic panels are placed on the facade. The interior dazzling with gold and bright colors.

Address: pl. St. Mark. Cathedral opened: Apr. – November – daily, 09.45 – 17.00; Sun and holidays – from 14.00 to 16.00. Entry is free.

The museum is open: every day, 09.45 – 16.45.

Bell tower: November – Apr. – 09.30 – 15.45; May – June, October: from 09.00 to 19.00; July – September, from 09.00 to 21.00.

Burano Island

Burano is a fishing island located 7 km from the center, famous for its colorful house facades. Coming here, you find yourself in a colorful fairy tale, like in a children's cartoon, where each house is painted in its own, non-repeating color. Reflected in the water of the canal, the houses create a truly fantastic kaleidoscope picture. Blue, orange, hot pink, turquoise, brown tones paint a joyful landscape. Opposite almost every house there is the same “cheerful” boat - the individual transport of the residents of this amazing microdistrict.

The famous craft here was once the masterly weaving of openwork lace, the beauty and grace of which allowed it to be called Venetian lace, known throughout the world. But now authentic products can only be seen in the Lace Museum: over time, the skill of lacemakers has sunk into oblivion. When tourists are on the island, they go to the local pasticheria (bakery), where they buy delicious shortcrust pastry cookies - buranelli. Vaporetto lines N 41, N 42 and 52 leave for Burano every 2 hours.

Address: Calle Capele, 30142.

Museum open: daily except Tuesday: Apr. – Sep. – from 10.00 to 17.00; Oct. – March: 10.00 – 16.00.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The basilica is an unusual Franciscan religious complex. Over the centuries, the Basilica has collected important and very valuable works, thanks to which you can take a journey through the history of art in Venice from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Among the many masterpieces preserved here, the Assunta, a famous work by Titian, stands out, as well as the famous Madonna of Pesaro, located in the family chapel of Pesaro.

In the sacristy is Bellini's Madonna and Child Triptych. Magnificent wooden choirs, numerous grave monuments of famous figures of the city, an extraordinary collection of sculptures are the absolute masterpieces of the Church of the Frari. It also houses the only Venetian wooden statue of St. John the Baptist by Donatello.

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 to 18. Sunday and holidays from 13 to 18.

Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore

It stands on its own island and is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. It is one of the largest churches in the city with an impressive view of St. Mark's Square. The facade is made in a classical 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 the traditional cross.

The interior conveys a sense of spatial grandeur. This Benedictine church has a wonderful 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 up 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.

Palace Ca' Rezzonico

Located on the Grand Canal. It is a typical eighteenth-century Venetian aristocratic building. It houses a precious collection of Venetian furniture and paintings from the 18th century. Of particular interest are the rooms with luxurious frescoes by Tiepolo, Guarana and Guardi. The Egidio Martini Picture Gallery, with almost 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. The ticket office closes one hour before the visit. Closed on Tuesdays, December 25, January 1, May 1.

Teatro La Fenice

The Grand Teatro La Fenice, located in the San Marco district of San Fantine, is today the main opera house. Twice destroyed and rebuilt it was home to important opera, symphony seasons and the International Festival modern music. In the nineteenth century it was the site of numerous premieres of works by Rossini, Bellini, and Verdi. In the twentieth century, much attention was paid to modern art. World premieres by Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Sergei Prokofiev, and Bruno Maderna took place here.

After several fires, in 2001 the craftsmen managed to recreate the atmosphere of the old theater. La Fenice was rebuilt in 19th century style. Decorations made of gold and plush, exquisite plaster and stucco make the interior of the theater irresistible. It was equipped with additional rehearsal areas with modern technology, the number 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 Italian Futurist artists.

The museum continues to expand its collections by showcasing masterpieces from private collections. In 2012, eighty works of Italian, European and American post-war art from the Hannelore and Schulhof collection became part of the Guggenheim Collection. You can see temporary exhibitions, as well as beautiful sculptural compositions by Nasher. The museum is located in the Venier dei Leoni Palace, purchased by Guggenheim.

Open from 10:00 - 18:00 every day.

Venetian Arsenal

Venetian sea 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 12th century, and later it was rebuilt and expanded several times. Main entrance located on the mainland side and decorated with menacing figures of lions. Outwardly, it resembles a triumphal arch, and it is not surprising, because it was a strong fleet that provided Venice with influence on the seas. The arsenal provided work to 16 thousand people.

Now it is not operational and is in disrepair. You can only see the part of the Arsenal where the Biennale of Arts is held. Some workshops and warehouses are closed to the public because they are used as a naval base. Nevertheless, the Arsenal invites tourists to visit the Naval Museum, which is located very close by. It is open every day from 8.45 to 17.00. You can get to this amazing medieval architectural monument by vaporetto No. 1, 4.1, 4.2.

Constitution Bridge

This is one of the most controversial attractions ancient city. The bridge spans the Grand Canal and connects the Santa Lucia train station with the bus station. It was built in 2008 according to the design of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Most city residents were hostile to this idea. People believed that a glass bridge would disrupt the harmony of the ancient city and would be a clear dissonance in it. And indeed, this building 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 resulted in public demonstrations, and the city authorities made symbolic concessions - they canceled the grand opening of the bridge. Construction was also accompanied by failures.

Calatrava was able to deliver the bridge four years later than he promised, and spent twice as much money as was originally announced. Less than five years later, the bridge required repairs. 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, and 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, including early printed books, 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. Subsequently, this experience was adopted by the British Library and the US Library of Congress. In the 19th century, Napoleon began to dissolve the monasteries, and the monastery's extensive collections of books entered the National Library.

Now this collection of books boasts real treasures, which have no analogues anywhere in the world. Tourists can not only admire the building from the outside, but also examine the magnificent interior decoration. National Library open on weekdays from 8.00 to 19.00, on Saturday - from 8.00 to 13.30. It is worth noting that the operating hours of different departments may vary.

Academy Bridge

This small bridge, 48 meters long, connects the areas of Dorsoduro and San Marco. It received its name in honor of the Italian art museum Galleria dell'Accademia. The city authorities thought about building a bridge in this place back in 1488, but the construction was difficult and there was not enough money. Therefore, construction was completed only after 66 years. The basis was laid on steel parts. The bridge existed until 1933. It was then completely demolished.

The next option was wooden and did not last long. In 1985, a new structure was built over the Grand Canal, which is still in use today. The bridge has already gone through several reconstructions, and its demolition and the construction of another version are currently being discussed. The Academy Bridge may be considered unsafe due to heavy loads on the supporting structures. Metal clasps, which Venetian lovers hang in abundance on the railings, also add weight.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

This is one of the most unusual and amazing palaces. It is very compact and occupies a small area, but is elongated in height. The palazzo was built in the 15th century by the architect Giovanni Candi. Many arches with graceful columns make the façade of the palace slender and light. But the 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”, which translates as “snail,” appeared in the name of the palace.

Previously, this building was one of the city residences of the Contarini family, which had a significant influence on the life of Venice. Suffice it to say that at different times, 8 members of the family became doges. The spiral staircase recently underwent restoration, and in 2014 it was reopened to the public. 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.

Municipal Museum of Correr

This gallery was founded in 1830 by the passionate collector Teodoro Correra. He was the owner of a unique collection of works of art. He bequeathed the entire collection to the city. The museum is located in the heart of the city, on St. Mark's Square. The exhibition is divided into three parts.

• Historical Museum
• Risorgimento Museum
• Art Gallery

All these collections are located in 33 exhibition halls. In the museum you can see historical documents, coins, weapons and festive clothing. The ancient objects stored there have witnessed significant events. There are many items on display 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 paintings by 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. What makes it famous is the large collection of sculptures, the Gothic style, and the tombstones of the doges, of which more than 20 are buried here. Construction of the cathedral began 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 the temple was consecrated, memorial services were held here for the deceased doges, and they were buried right there. The interior of the cathedral amazes with its masterpieces of painting.

It was here that the artist Giovanni Bellini began his ascent to the top. 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 sitting on a horse. He was awarded this honor after he bequeathed his truly colossal wealth to the city.

St. Mark's Clock Tower

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, when they saw the tower, were supposed to represent the wealth and strength 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 came to its shores. All images decorating the clock tower have symbolic meaning. On the flat roof there are two human figures - young and old. They struck the bell with hammers to strike certain periods of time. After several centuries, the figures turned black and acquired the nickname “Moors.”

They are intended to represent the time during which human life passes. Below them you can see a lion, which represents St. Mark. The center of the tower is a bright blue dial, decorated with gold images. Tourists can view the clock tower from the inside. Tours are offered 4 times a day in several languages. It is worth ordering such an event in advance, because each group is limited to no more than 12 people.

Scuola San Marco

Scuola is a charitable organization that occupied an important place in the life of the city. This brotherhood worked for the benefit of Venice for 600 years, until this territory was captured by Napoleon, who abolished all scuoli. 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 by 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, and marble bas-reliefs. After Napoleon's invasion, a military hospital was located there, and many valuables were looted. Nowadays 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 surgical instruments that doctors used to use. Scuola has a wonderful library, in which you can even find 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 carvings 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 power 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. It was the famous master Jacopo Tintoretto. 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 inspection in the main hall on the second floor. The interior also amazes with beautiful wood carvings and allegorical wooden sculptures. The building itself is perfectly preserved. You can visit the scuola any day from 9.30 to 17.30, except New Year and Christmas. The church is open every day, including holidays. The entrance ticket costs 11 euros, the same price includes an audio guide.

Church of San Zaccaria

In the 9th century, the Byzantine Emperor Leo V gave the city the relics of St. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. The wonderful church of San Zaccaria was built to store them. In the 12th century, it was almost completely destroyed by a strong fire, and the city authorities restored it again. Subsequently, the church was rebuilt several times. For a long time there was a tradition - the Doge always visited this church on Easter. Now it is one of the most famous attractions, and this is justified, because tourists have something to see in it.

Firstly, the facade is remarkable, which is a combination of two styles - Gothic and Renaissance. Secondly, the abundance of paintings in the main room of the church is striking. Bellini's Madonna and Child with Saints is kept in the altar. There is not enough lighting for inspection, but you can insert a 50-cent coin into a special device nearby, and the picture will be illuminated. You can go down to the crypt of the church, where eight Venetian Doges found their final resting place. The crypt is half-flooded, and this gives it mystery.

Church opening hours:

From Monday to Saturday - from 10.00 to 12.00, from 16.00 to 18.00.

Sunday - only from 16.00 to 18.00.

Admission is free, but you will have to pay 1.5 euros to see the sacristy, the crypt and two chapels.

Campanile of St. Mark's Basilica

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, but there were no other buildings yet. Built in the 9th century, the campanile had several functions. It served as a lighthouse for ships. Also at its top there were five bells, each of which had its own purpose and notified city residents about important events. In the 15th century, lightning and an earthquake destroyed the bell tower.

It was restored only in 1513. A gilded statue of the Archangel Gabriel was installed at the top. A hundred years later, the building was supplemented with a loggia, which housed the guards of the Doge's Palace. At the beginning of the 20th century, the campanile experienced another destruction. The cause was a crack. This time the restoration took only 9 years. The height of the bell tower is 99 meters, it 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 that Goethe loved to go upstairs and write poetry there. He claimed that the views of the city gave him inspiration.

Campanile opening hours:

Columns of St. Mark and St. Theodore

Adjacent to Piazza San Marco is another small square, which is decorated with two majestic columns. One of them is crowned with a statue of a winged lion, symbolizing St. Mark. At the top of the second is a statue of St. Theodore. These columns were brought in 1125, they were a trophy as a result of 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 immediately identified, and until 1196 they lay on the shore. Previously, criminals were executed between these two columns; since then, superstitious residents of the city have tried not to pass between them. Even after installation, testing for these attractions was 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 them down, as a result of which the sculpture acquired a terrifying appearance. Only at the end of the last century did the lion regain its form. His story 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. Nowadays, the column is topped 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 attractions. The name Ponte delle Tette translates as “Naked 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 was one such place.

But what does bare breasts 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 authorities did not lose hope that lost souls could be “cured” of their addiction by seeing a beautiful woman. That is why courtesans were ordered to demonstrate their charms in the area of ​​this bridge. These rules were in effect until the 18th century. Then prostitution was legalized, and Ponte delle Tette lost its zest.

Naval Historical Museum

The entire history of the Venetian Republic is inextricably linked with the sea. This city has long been famous for its strong fleet, the ships for which were built right there. Nowadays, fragments of this glorious past can be seen in the Naval Museum. It is located next to the Arsenal, and the building it occupies was originally intended for grain storage. Only at the end of the 17th century did they begin to store parts and models of ships 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. On Friday from 8.45 to 17.00. Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00.

Punta della Dogana

Venice is a maritime city, which means trade has always flourished in it. Commercial activity led to the creation of a customs house, which was conveniently located next to the Arsenal. The building, which tourists can admire today, was built in 1682. In its architecture, the tower topped with a sculptural group attracts attention. The building functioned until 1980, then the vigorous activity was replaced by 20 years of neglect. Later, the city council decided to transform the former customs building into a contemporary art space. You can get there on any day except Tuesday. Opening hours - from 10.00 to 19.00.

San Trovaso shipyard

This is one of the city's oldest shipyards. She specialized in the construction of gondolas. They were made by hand and used 8 types of wood. Until now, tourists can admire this process and take unique photographs. For visitors there are free excursions lasting half an hour. The shipyard dates back to the 17th century.

The wooden structure is located on a foundation made of larch trunks. The walls and foundation are coated with clay for greater strength. The wooden structure is atypical for a city on the water, so it can be called a great rarity. The shipyard has quite a lot of premises. Some of them are intended for production, others are still inhabited by the owners of the gondolas.

Church of Sant Pantalon

The full name of this interesting building is the Church of St. Panteleimon. The Catholic church amazes with the contrast between its external appearance and interior decoration. The façade of the church, built in the 11th century, is distinguished by its simplicity and austerity. When viewing it, tourists are left with a feeling of incompleteness. But inside, visitors admire the masterpieces of Fumiani, Veronese, Veneziano, Vivarini and Longhi. A Catholic service is unthinkable without an organ.

The musical instrument located in the Church of Sant Pantalon dates back to 1803. The history of the creation of the main canvas decorating the church is interesting. This is the painting "The Martyrdom of St. Panteleimon" by Giovanni Antonio Fumiani. It took him 24 years to complete the canvas. This work was his last work. Tradition says that Fumiani died while finishing his masterpiece. The cause of death was a fall from scaffolding. The artist was buried in the same church. The area of ​​the painting occupies 443 square meters. m. The church can be accessed from Monday to Saturday.

Opening hours are 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 safely be called the oldest gambling house in the world, because the casino is the heir to the Ridotto traditions. This beautiful palazzo began construction in 1481 and was completed 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 Saint 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 changed hands several times. The city authorities bought the palazzo shortly after the end of World War II and opened a casino in it 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 close proximity to 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 there were quite a lot of beggars in this area who did not even have money for shoes. The second version says that the church located nearby is involved in the name.

It belonged to the brotherhood of Carmelite monks, often called “barefoot.” The bridge was first built on this site in 1856. The townspeople initially perceived it negatively, believing that the bridge did not fit with the appearance of the city. It was also an obstacle to shipping, as the height did not allow ships to pass through. All this led to the bridge being rebuilt in 1934, making it 7 meters high. These days, numerous souvenir sellers have settled near the bridge.

So that travel agencies do not advise you - when looking around sights of Venice it is impossible to get lost. However, in order to have time to see as many of the sights of Venice as possible, keeping their photos as a souvenir, I recommend purchasing them before your trip. Venice travel guide and work with it as carefully as possible, thinking through the route in advance.

Traveling around Venice on your own and not knowing the language, you won’t be able to ask for directions, but if you can’t do without help, remember that Italians understand gestures better than broken Italian or English, it’s better to speak, gesturing, in Russian, and you’ll unexpectedly see for yourself , that there are many similarities in the Italian and Russian languages.

This is how tourists see Venice.

Why do I assure you that it is impossible to get lost, the streets in Venice are located in a circle, although there are dead-end streets with access to the water. Therefore, be prepared to walk a lot and for a long time while sightseeing in Venice. If you like the place, take a photo right away, you like the item in the store and are happy with the price, buy it (just not in the first store you come across), you find a small cafe on the bank of a narrow canal and are hungry - have lunch, it will be harder to find all this on purpose. A gondola in the center turned up, take a ride, on the Grand Canal embankment a half-hour rental will be 3-4 times more expensive.

This fabulous gondola and hour-long walk along the canals of Venice will cost you from 100 euros

Contrary to the idle statements of the unfortunate scribblers about Venice - gondolas in Venice are no longer a means of transportation between the islands, and the gondoliers’ means of earning money is from tourists. And for getting around and seeing the sights of Venice, there are inexpensive taxi boats that can accommodate up to ten people and water buses that run on a schedule, but they run so rarely that you shouldn’t rely on them.

Street vendors and barkers on the banks of the Grand Canal, next to our hotel

Venice is an expensive city for travel, especially accommodation. In the center - Grand Hotel channel cost me 800 euros, I ordered it in April 3 months before my trip to Venice, on the mainland, and it’s 500 m away and half the price. At the same time, the golden decoration of the hotel rooms and the smiles of the maids do not compensate for the cost due to the smell of mold and rot that permeates the hotel. This smell, as well as the smell of stagnant water, will haunt you in Venice constantly, and even sea ​​breeze won't be able to disguise it.

Boutiques of Venice - photos

Because of high prices It is better to leave a visit to Venice on the last day of your stay in Italy, having spent the night, for example, in a hotel in Padua or Verona, come to Venice early in the morning by ordering a taxi in advance. A bus or train will also do; Venice has a good train station.

A It's better to fly home from Marco Polo Airport, it is located about 10 kilometers by water, a boat ticket costs 15 euros, a taxi costs 50-70, as you agree, many river taxis do not have permission to go to sea, but if you are in a hurry, for an additional fee they will resolve the issue with the water police.

Piazza San Marco in Venice

Start off Venice sightseeing the best way is from Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's), the path to it lies, like all other attractions of Venice, from the Grand Canal.

Piazza San Marco in Venice photos, attractions, description

Piazza San Marco is the only place in Venice other than its famous bridges And cozy cafes in the center which I would gladly visit again. Piazza San Marco in Venice itself is one continuous attraction.

The attractions in Piazza San Marco include:

• Doge's Palace;
• Cathedral of St. Mark's Basilica of San Marco;
• 100 meter clock tower of St. Mark;
• Old and new Procurations with the famous "Florian" and "Quadri";
• New wing in Piazza San Marco - Ala Napoleonica, Library of San Marco.

Doge's Palace Venice photo, description

Doge's Palace simple on the outside (at least it seemed so to me) and striking in its splendor on the inside. This is the place where the destinies of the Venetian people were decided. Now the building is the main museum of Venice. It houses the Correr Museum, Archaeological Museum, Marcian Library Hall, Gun Chamber. From the Doge's Palace across the bridge of sighs you will be taken to the Carceri prison, where one of the prisoners was the famous Casanova. The entrance ticket costs 20-25 euros, but the excursion is worth the money, don’t regret it. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to the Doge’s Palace; it was closed, so I can only judge its magnificence from the stories of friends who visited Venice earlier.

Cathedral of St. Mark in Venice photo, description

The Cathedral of San Marco is decorated with the columns of St. Mark and St. Theodore (admission is free).

Inside the Cathedral of St. Mark's Basilica - photo; unfortunately, it is not allowed to photograph the golden altar close up.

The main attraction of the Cathedral of St. Mark's Basilica is its golden altar. Altar of the Cathedral of San Marco was built in two stages, now it consists of 250 miniatures made using a special enamel technique with inlay. The decoration of the altar contains 1300 pearls, 300 emeralds, 400 garnets, 300 sapphires, 50 rubies, 75 ruby ​​spinel crystals, 90 amethysts, 4 topazes and 2 cameos.

The golden altar of the cathedral was taken to Venice during the Crusade from the monastery of Pantocrator in Constantinople, under it, according to legend the relics of St. Mark rest. Relics also transported by cunning to Venice from Alexandria in 828, in a basket under rotten pork carcasses (sorry for such details).

Tower or bell tower of St. Mark history, photo, description

The Clock Tower of St. Mark is 100 meters high and is definitely worth climbing for a bird's eye view of the sights of Venice (entrance ticket costs 5 euros).

View of Venice from the Bell Tower of San Marco - photo

The history of this tower is interesting, the structure is new, it was restored quite recently from a photo, since the old one, washed away by groundwater, settled and turned into dust (a pile of bricks), according to local residents, overnight. At the same time, surprisingly, no one was injured, not even the watchman, who was absent contrary to the rules on his own business.

View of Venice from the Bell Tower of San Marco

They say it's a sentry St. Mark's Tower restored from the same building material, I don’t know whether it’s true or not, all this is from the words of our familiar guide, a Russian who has been living in Italy for 40 years.

View of Venice from the Bell Tower of San Marco - pictured is the island of San Giorgio Maggiore

The view from the bell tower is wonderful, Venice is clearly visible, you won’t even immediately understand through which streets you came to the square. The bell tower of St. Mark's in Venice has several twins, apparently they were all built according to the same design, one of them is visible from the tower of St. Mark's and is located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, near the church of the same name, on observation deck tower there is a magnificent restaurant for the elite.

Bridge of Sighs Venice, history, photo, description

Bridge of Sighs, two legends are associated with this landmark of Venice, choose which one you like best.

The first legend of Venice about the bridge of sighs - the modern one, in my opinion, was invented by gondoliers, since not far from the bridge of sighs there is a parking lot or a gondola pier. This is where the gondola ride through Venice begins and ends under the bridge. If lovers kiss under the Bridge of Sighs while riding a gondola, eternal love is guaranteed.

Grand Canal, Venice - photo

The second legend of Venice about the Bridge of Sighs came from the works of Byron. He wrote - the sighs of the prisoners permeate this place and hang in the air. Passing across this bridge, the condemned saw Venice for the last time before being imprisoned. The Bridge of Sighs connects the prison with the Inquisition torture chambers in the Doge's Palace.

It was from this prison that Casanova escaped through a tunnel that he had been making for more than 2 years, however, from two different cells, when the first one was almost ready, friends contributed to the transfer to a better cell, and everything had to start again.

Venice Rialto Bridge photo, description

Venice at night, Rialto Bridge photo

Rialto Bridge Since ancient times it has been the center of trade in Venice and there are still many merchants on the bridge selling from the ground, like at our flea market. People here like to give tourists gifts, especially flowers and souvenirs. Do not take them under any circumstances, you will not be able to return them, and they will demand monetary compensation from you as a gift. If we were hit, my friend was saved by the word “Russian”, the traders are mostly emigrants, they are afraid of Russians like fire.

The wooden bridge of the Academy of Venice Italy may have looked like the Rialto Bridge before the collapse.

At first, the Rialto Bridge was made of wood; they say that this landmark of Venice stood on wooden logs for more than four hundred years, and collapsed during the Carnival holiday under the weight of the crowd watching the regatta.

Only after this the Rialto Bridge was replaced with a stone one. Supervised the construction of the bridge Antonio da Ponte(ponte in translation bridge), which won the construction tender from Michelangelo himself!

Bridge - Ponte Pugni

I would like to finish my story with one more attraction of Venice, this Ponte Pugni bridge, which translated means bridge of fists. A small and not particularly attractive bridge except for its history, it became famous as a place for fist fights, also popular before the revolution of 1917 here, in the South of Russia, from where they say the Venns moved to Italy, well, you won’t believe the historians here.

The Ponte dei Pugni bridge today - unfortunately not a very good photo, I wanted to show the historical similarity with the picture

The fist fight ended on the Ponte Pugni bridge in the canal. My grandmother told me about the same fist fights; they were a popular pastime of our grandfathers and also on the bridge over the river. After such battles, the grandfather returned home and did not get up for several days. Then there were discussions, and everything was repeated about a month later.

Streets of Venice - photos

There are many more attractions that I would like to tell you about; you can’t put them all in one article; I hope that my photos of Venice and descriptions of them will be useful to you.

A little later, in a separate article, I will try to convey my feelings from what I saw in Venice; they are radically different from what is written in advertising articles about Venice by travel agencies. I’ll give you tips on how not to spoil the impression of exploring Venice. Come in, stay tuned, see you soon.

We'll tell you what interesting places see in Venice if you only have one day. Read on to create an interesting itinerary.

Venice – main city and a real metropolis (if you count it together with its mainland) in northeastern Italy. However, the greatest value for travelers is, of course, the historical center of Venice, spread over 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon in the waters of the Adriatic.

There are three ways to get from the mainland to the city center: byVaporetto water bus(€9) from the main airport of north-east Italy in the suburb of Tessera - Aeroporto Marco Polo di Venezia, or by railway or by bus via Santa Lucia Station, located in the northwestern part of the Grand Canal.

The main attractions of Venice in one day

The two most known facts about Venice - it is drowning and suffocating from tourists. And if the first news, most likely, will not affect your trip in any way, then crazy crowds of tourists can greatly spoil the impression. And even the advice to visit the most famous attractions early in the morning will not help here. There are so many tourists on the streets of Venice 24 hours a day and 365 days a year that it seems that the city cannot withstand such a load and that is why it is drowning!

St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)

Address: Piazza San Marco

Entrance: Piazza San Marco Pass for museums – €20

The main city square, Piazza San Marco, has reached us in its unchanged medieval form. In fact, these are two squares, the piazzetta (from Italian “small square”) occupied a small space from the Grand Canal embankment along the Doge's Palace on one side and the Sansovino library building ( Biblioteca nazionale Marciana ) on the other and rests on the high bell tower of St. Mark's Cathedral. The entrance to the square from the canal side is framed by two marble columns, on the tops of which there is a figure of a winged lion - the symbol of St. Mark, as well as a statue of St. Theodore - the patron saint of Venice. In the Middle Ages, executions took place between these columns, so superstitious Venetians still prefer to avoid this place.

St. Mark's Square itself is located in front of the cathedral of the same name. The buildings of the Old and New Procurations stretched along its remaining sides. They once housed the “administration” of Venice and even served as the residence of Napoleon. Now the first floors of the buildings are occupied by expensive cafes and restaurants. Also located in New Procurations Museo Civico Correr – the ethnographic museum of the Venetian Republic, the exhibition of which presents the life of the Venetians in the Middle Ages, as well as a decent collection of local artists.

St. Mark's Cathedral (Basilica di San Marco)

Address: Piazza San Marco

Admission: free to the cathedral, €2 – to the golden altar of Pala d’oro, €3 – to the treasury

Venice's main cathedral and the city's most visited landmark is filled with visitors from sunrise to sunset, so you have to make an effort to take in all the beauty of the mosaics that decorate its walls and domes. The Cathedral of San Marco was built in the Middle Ages in accordance with the Byzantine style. Later, many artifacts from the Crusades were brought to decorate its interiors, and architectural elements Byzantine palaces and temples decorated the previously laconic façade of the building. Well, the main value of the cathedral for believers is the relics of the Apostle Mark stored here.

In a separate part of the cathedral, one of its main relics is located - the golden altar of the Pala d’oro. Once hidden from visitors and used only in festive services, the altar can now be seen by anyone for a symbolic fee of €2. There is also a museum inside the cathedral (€5) and a treasury with those same Byzantine artifacts (€3) is open to the public.

Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Address: Piazza San Marco, 1

The most romantic Venetian building with a delicate pink facade, intricate Gothic carvings and a snow-white colonnade along its perimeter was once occupied by the rulers of the Venetian Republic - the Doges. During the Middle Ages, the building also housed a court and secret police, while the lower floors were occupied by lawyers, censors and clerical offices. Despite several fires that damaged the building in the Middle Ages, the preserved and restored interiors, decorated with paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese, are still amazing!

Since immediately after visiting the Cathedral of San Marco, all tourists rush to tour the Doge's Palace, it is better to purchase a ticket here in advance online . The Piazza San Marco Pass (€20) also includes admission to other museums in Piazza San Marco. Well, for those who like a secluded walk through the historical interiors, they offer to visit the palace after it closes for €80 (only 20 tickets per day).

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Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

Address: Sestiere San Polo

In maritime Venice, cut along and across by hundreds of canals, of course, it cannot do without bridges. One of the 4 main city bridges spanning the Grand Canal, and also the oldest and most famous bridge in Venice - Ponte di Rialto - connects the banks of the canal in its narrowest part. The best way to admire the Rialto is from the water, or at least from the embankments. And of course, you just have to cross it from one bank to the other in such a dense crowd of tourists, as if in the morning rush hour on the subway.

Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)

Address: Piazza San Marco, 1

Entrance: Piazza San Marco Pass – €20

No less famous than its brother Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge's Palace and the neighboring prison. That's why it got its name. In the Middle Ages, after hearing cases in the Supreme Court of the Doge's Palace, convicts were taken to a prison cell along this very bridge, and the last chance for the unfortunate to see the world outside the walls of the prison was a fleeting glance through the barred windows of the bridge. Although it is, of course, difficult to call this structure a bridge, it looks like a small covered extension to two buildings over a small canal.

Grand Canal

The main transport artery of the city actually serves as the central avenue of Venice. About 100 of the richest, most famous and beautiful palazzos lined the banks of the Grand Canal. That is why the Venetians lovingly call the canal – Canalazzo, i.e. "Canal Palace". But there are almost no embankments along it, so you can only view the beautiful facades of Venetian palaces from the water. The amazing thing about the Grand Canal is that, unlike most artificially dug canals, the Venetian Canal Grande is a small channel that once passed through the islands of the Venetian lagoon and was turned by the Italians into a real water avenue connecting different parts of the city.

Gondolas, vaporetto and traghetto

The historical center of Venice is very compact and, if desired, you can easily get around it in just a couple of hours. Although even in this case it works in Venice public transport, which serves more of an entertainment function for tourists. You can take a boat ride along the Grand Canal - Vaporetto . To make the most of the surrounding Venetian beauty, it is better to take seats at the bow or stern of the ship. However, ticket prices for Venetians and visitors vary greatly. For the latter, tickets for travel within the city will cost €8 one way or €15 round trip, but you can also purchase a ticket for the day (€30) and ride as much as you want. Ticket kiosks are located right at the entrance to the pontoon piers - vaporetto stops.

Well, where would Venice be without gondolas and gondoliers singing songs? Unfortunately, the once popular type of personal transport in the city has turned into entertainment for tourists for decent money (from €80 per trip). Gondoliers sing less and less and compete more and more to attract customers by decorating their boats in tasteless fashion. But no problem! Authentic gondolas have also been preserved in Venice, still serving as public transport -Traghetto. These stark gondolas, without the comforts of seats, transport passengers from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. The trip takes about 3-5 minutes, and the one-way cost is only €2. Real Venetians ride the traghetto standing up, but no one forbids you from actually sitting on the narrow side of the boat and completely feeling like a resident of medieval Venice!

Islands of Murano and Burano

Address: Isola di Murano, Isola di Burano

Vaporetto fare in both directions: €20

No less famous, located north of the historical center of Venice, the islands of Murano and Burano are officially included within the city limits. To get here you need to take a Vaporetto from Piazza San Marco on a special green line - Linea Verde.

Murano is famous for its colored Murano glass products. Since the 13th century, a commune of glassblowers has been formed on the island, producing art glass using unique Venetian technology, which was highly valued throughout the world. In order not to disclose production secrets, the craftsmen were forbidden to leave the island, and in return they, members of their families, and then all descendants were granted titles of nobility.

Burano was an ordinary fishing village, where you can still admire the bright and colorful facades of fishermen's houses, buy Burano lace and try the famous local cookies - Buranelli.

Venetian cathedrals and churches

When all the main attractions of the city have been examined, and the abundance of people already dazzles the eyes, it is worth delving into the narrow and surprisingly quiet Venetian streets and, walking through areas remote from St. Mark's Square, visiting churches and cathedrals of amazing beauty. In total, there are 150 churches in compact Venice!

Chorus Venezia - an association of the Venetian Patriarchate, which includes 16 main churches of the city. These cathedrals are known not only as monuments of medieval architecture, but also as original art museums, because their walls are decorated with masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese, as well as other Italian painters of the Renaissance. An entrance ticket to most churches on the Chorus list costs a symbolic €3, but you can also purchase a single Chorus Pass for just €12.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Address: San Polo, 3072

Entrance: €3, or Chorus Pass – €12

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is the second most important cathedral in Venice after San Marco. The building was built in the Gothic style and amazes with its rich interior decoration. The interior of the Frari Basilica, as the Venetians call it for short, is decorated with elaborate wooden carvings, many statues and paintings by Venetian artists, and above the altar is one of Titian’s main works, “The Assumption of Mary” (“Assunta”). In addition, Titian and the famous Italian sculptor Antonio Canova, whose works are exhibited in the Louvre and the Hermitage, are buried in the cathedral under magnificent tombstones.

Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute

Address: Dorsoduro, 1

Entrance: €4

Perhaps the most famous Venetian building, constantly appearing in all photos of the city. MonumentalBasilica di Santa Maria della Salutemeets travelers at the very beginning of the Grand Canal. It was built in the second half of the 17th century in memory of the plague epidemic that claimed the lives of a third of Venetians. And to this day, a mass is celebrated in the cathedral every year in gratitude for the deliverance of Venice from the plague. The austere and majestic façade of the cathedral is continued in its laconic interiors. Walking inside the building, you will find yourself in a simple, spacious and cold hall, completely decorated with multi-colored marble and decorated with marble statues.

Church of St. Panteleimon (Chiesa di San Pantalon)

Address: Dorsoduro, 3703

The entrance is free

This small and inconspicuous-looking church on the square of Sant Pantalon of the same name is not included in the Chorus list, but includes a real masterpiece of Venetian painting and the largest artistic canvas in the world (700 sq.m.). The church is famous for its painted vault, on which the Italian painter Giovanni Fumiani depicted scenes from the life of St. Panteleimon. The peculiarity of the fresco is that, thanks to the artist’s skill, the low flat ceiling creates the feeling of a dome extending far into the sky. In addition, the picture without a frame smoothly goes onto the walls, and this only intensifies the impression of the depth of the vault.

Cathedral of Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Address: Castello, 6363

Entrance: €10

Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo- the largest cathedral in Venice, where 18 Doges of the Venetian Republic and a dozen more famous Venetians are buried. The interior of the cathedral does not look like a religious institution at all. The huge space inside, decorated with paintings, massive sculptures and colorful stained glass windows, is more reminiscent of a real palace. And, of course, the scale of the cathedral is impressive, which is so unusual for compact Venice.

Atypical sights

It would seem that in a city so well-trodden by tourists far and wide there is not a single interesting and well-worn attraction left. But even in Venice, if you try, you can find real hidden gems, after visiting which you will fall in love with the city even more!

Cemetery Island of San Michele

Address: Isola di San Michele

Vaporetto fare in both directions: €15

Venetian " Dead island» located exactly halfway between historical center city ​​and the island of Murano. You can get to San Michele by vaporetto lines 4.1 and 4.2 . The entire island is occupied by a cemetery, which in turn is divided into 3 parts: Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. At the Orthodox cemetery there are three points of attraction for tourists - the graves of Joseph Brodsky, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Diaghilev. According to tradition, ballet admirers lay ballet shoes at Diaghilev’s grave instead of flowers.

Campo Santa Margherita square

Address: Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro

Spacious (rare for Venice) central square Dorsoduro area with many hostels, clubs, cafes and restaurants and a favorite meeting place for Venetian students. Here local boys play football, young men and women make dates, and Italian donnas hang laundry to dry on lines stretched between houses. And, of course, in cafes and restaurants on Campo Santa Margherita you can order the famous Venetian black pasta with cuttlefish ink, local sparkling Prosecco as part of the equally famous Spritz cocktail, or a traditional Italian dessert at prices 2 times lower than on the central streets of Venice around the square San Marco.

Bookstore Libreria Acqua Alta

Address: Calle Longa S. Maria Formosa, 5176/b

The entrance is free

A bookstore that is amazing for us and typical for Venice, where, to protect against sudden floods, books are stored not on shelves, but in spacious cast-iron baths and even in real gondolas inside the sales area! What will happen to books if they are not stored in this way can be seen in a small shop yard. Where water-damaged books in colorful bindings are lined up into real “fortress walls.”