For submitting a new event or a guide item, please
email us.
Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)
This is one of the most impressive monuments in Venice and in the entire world. The basilica was built in 1094 as a shrine for the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, whose body was smuggled from Alexandria in Egypt inside pickled pork boxes in order to avoid the Muslim guards.
The Basilica is also known as The Golden Church as to the fact that its interior, ceiling and pavement are covered gilded Byzantine mosaics. A closer look of these special mosaics can be seen at the Galleria at the atrium at the main entrance. In 1902 part of the basilica collapsed with no obvious reason and the rehabilitation works continued ten years.
A wonderful view of the city roofs and the lagoon can be seen from the basilica’s roof, which can be reached by a lift.
Opening times:
Man – Sat: 9.45 am – 5 pm, Sun: 2 pm – 5 pm.
Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace)
The Palazzo Ducal was the seat of the government of Venice for many centuries. It used to be the home of the ruler of Venice (the Doge), as well as the place of Venice’s law courts and civil administration. A visit to this graceful building is a must for anyone who is interested in Venice’s history.
The pink and white marble Palace has a unique style, which is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance. It was destroyed a few times by fires and was rebuilt in 1424 in its present form.
The interior of the palace has a Renaissance style to it, mainly from the 16th century. The first floor held the Doge’s apartments and the upper floors were used for the government affairs. The most impressive room in the Palace is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio (the Hall of the Great Council) with its famous painting of the first 76 Doges.
Opening times:
November – March: Daily: 9 am – 5 pm, April – October: Daily: 9 am – 7 pm.
Riva degli Schiavoni, San Marco
Venice
Tel: +39 041 2715911
Scuola Grande di San Rocco (School of St. Roch)
The school of San Rocco was founded in 1478 and is famous for a series of more than 50 dark and dramatic canvases painted by Jacopo Tintoretto, which decorate the school’s interior. After being elected to be the one who will decorate the school, it took Tintoretto more than 23 years to complete his mission. The canvases decorating the school are dedicated to episodes from the life of Virgin Mary and from the childhood of Christ.
A guide to the paintings can be found on the wall a little before the museum entrance.
Opening times:
April – October: daily: 9 am – 5.30 pm, November – March: daily: 10 am – 5 pm.
San Polo 3052
30125
Venice
Tel: +39 041 5234864
Fax: +39 041 5242820
Il Ghetto (the Jewish Ghetto)
The Venetian Jews were forced to live in the Ghetto from 1516, when the Republic of Venice declared that they all have to live in one area, until 1797, when Napoleon put an end to the segregation. Due to the fact that Venice is built on hundreds of islands, the Jewish Ghetto was surrounded by water and its two only access points were controlled by Christian guards. This pleasant neighbourhood is still home for Jewish community institutions, such as five synagogues, a rabbinical school and a kosher restaurant. Nowadays there are about 600 Jews living in Venice, but most of them are living outside the Ghetto.
The Jewish Ghetto is one of the less touristy neighbourhoods in Venice and therefore it makes it very pleasant to walk around its beautiful streets.
Campanile
The famous bell tower of Venice rises up to the height of 97 meters (318 ft) and offers a breathtaking view of the city. This impressive building has been standing for nearly a thousand years, when in 1902 it collapsed with no reason. The new bell tower was rebuilt in 1912, exactly as the old bell tower, using most of the same building materials.
Nowadays it is easy to reach the top of the tower by an elevator, and on a clear day one can enjoy the stunning view of the lagoon, the mainland and the Lido.
Opening times:
Apr – Jun: daily: 9.30 am – 5 pm, Jul – Sep: daily: 9 am – 9 pm.
Piazza San Marco
30124
Venice
Tel: +39 041 5224064
Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)
Till the 16th century Venice didn’t have any stone bridges and the few wood bridges that were built across the Grand Canal continued to collapse. In the 16th century the city held a competition to design the Grand’s Canal first stone bridge. Some of the best architectures of Italy such as Michelangelo, Palladio and Sansovio participated in the competition, but the architect who won the contest was Antonio da Ponte.
The Rialto Bridge is a graceful arch that supports two rows of fairly expensive shops and boutiques with a spectacular view of the Grand Canal and the many Gondolas and boats that sail through it.
Piazza San Marco
The main tourist magnet of Venice is the Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark’s Square. Napoleon referred to it as “the finest drawing room in Europe” and so it is with most spectacular works of architecture.
The square, which has a trapeze shape, was laid out in the 11th century. It used to be divided in half by a canal, but in the 12th century the canal was filled up. Its trapeze shape makes it look even larger and deeper. No doubt that every tourist that arrives to Venice must enjoy the sights of this wonderful square. The best way to do that is to sit in one of the many cafes surrounding the square and watch the magnificent buildings.
Dear tobook.com visitor, you also can contribute to our city guides with
events and articles. Do you want to inform our readers with an upcoming
event or do you want to publish your article, please
email us at guide. We would welcome personal stories about your experiences
in Europe as a great addition to our city guides.
Attractions
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
