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Unique and delightful city. Almost all tourists in the world dream of visiting it, leafing through guides, studying the sights of Venice, and making their own list of what to see in Venice.
First things to see in Venice
Among the many Venetian attractions there are those that every self-respecting traveler must visit.
1. Grand Canal
View of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge
The largest and most beautiful canal in the city. We can say its central avenue, the length of which is 4 km. When viewed from a pleasure boat, truly postcard views open – colorful mansions, solemn palazzos, beautiful cathedrals. And the views of the canal, which runs through the whole city, are also very picturesque.
Driving along the Grand Canal, tourists can notice what else to see in Venice and where to go first.
2. St. Mark's Square
Saint Mark's Square – Venice main square
If the question arises of what to visit in Venice, then this square will definitely be on the “Must visit” list. The hallmark of the city, San Marco is one of the main attractions of Italy. It is here that the best sights of Venice are located and the most iconic events of this city take place. And it begins with two majestic columns, on which the statues of the Apostle Mark and the winged lion are located.
3. St. Mark's Cathedral
Facade of St. Mark's Basilica in Piazza San Marco
A very original example of church architecture, which does not prevent it from being one of the main attractions of Venice. Briefly describe the cathedral is very difficult – it has a rich and unusual history. First of all, the main style of the cathedral, Byzantine, is unusual for Western Europe. But thanks to the fact that Venice has always been an open trading city, the main word in the description of the main Venetian cathedral is eclecticism.
Here, all the best that came into the city was applied – ideas, trends, craftsmen and goods. For example, where else can you find statues of horses above the entrance to the church? Take a closer look and you will see many more unusual things in the Cathedral of St. Brand. Guides in Venice are happy to describe to tourists how this or that element appeared in the interior or architecture of the Catholic Church. But the main pride of the cathedral is that it is here that the relics of St. Mark, brought by the crusaders back in the 10th century, a century before the construction of the cathedral. It continued, by the way, until the end of the 15th century.
Official website: http://www.basilicasanmarco
4. Bell tower of St. Mark's Cathedral
Pyramidal spire with a weather vane in the form of a golden angel on the Bell Tower
In the luxurious ensemble of St. The stamp is also included in this landmark of Venice. Previously, the bell tower was a beacon for numerous ships arriving to the Venetian shores. It was built in the 16th century and at the beginning of its existence, the interior served as a torture chamber. There are five bells on the tower, each with its own purpose.
Official website: http://www.basilicasanmarco.
5. St. Mark's Clock Tower< /h3>
St. Mark's Clock Tower – a monument of the Early Renaissance in the northern part of St. Mark's Square
No excursion in Venice passes by this unique building. It was built in the 15th century. The tower was designed in such a way that all travelers arriving in the city along the Adriatic can see its astronomical dial. The top of the tower is decorated with the symbol of Venice – the figure of a winged lion.
Official site: http://torreorologio.visitmuve
Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Venice!
6. Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute
Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute on the main Venetian street – the Grand Canal
Everyone who has been to the “city on the water” has seen it. Because visiting Venice and not looking at St. The brand where it is located is impossible. The history of the appearance of the temple is rather sad. In the 17th century, a plague raged in the city, the epidemic was so strong that it claimed the lives of a third of the Venetians, it was in gratitude to the Lord for delivering Venice from this scourge that the church was erected. It took almost 50 years to build the cathedral.
Official website: http://en.turismovenezia
7. Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari< /h3>
Frari Basilica and its 70-meter bell tower in Piazza San Polo
The temple appeared in the city in the 14th century. In its architecture, like many attractions in Venice, it combines several styles at once, the main ones being Gothic, Venetian and Byzantine. Rich Venice invited the best masters of those times to decorate the interior of the cathedral. Many tourists know that in this cathedral in Venice you can see the painting “Madonna Pesaro” by the brilliant Titian and the sculpture of John the Baptist by the great medieval master Donatello.
Official website: https://www .basilicadeifrari
8. San Giorgio Maggiore
Panorama of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore
The question of where to go in Venice on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore usually does not arise. Its main attraction is the church of the same name. Back in the 10th century, the island became the property of the Benedictines, they built a temple and a monastery here, which were destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th century. And only by the beginning of the 16th century a new church built in the Renaissance style appeared, it is still on the island. When visiting, be sure to look at the interior walls that adorn the works of Tintoretto, in particular, “The Last Supper” and “Manna from Heaven”.
9. Doge's Palace
Doge's Palace – former residence of the Doges of the Venetian Republic
Not a single rating of the main attractions of Venice is complete without this majestic and extremely elegant building. It was built, reconstructed and decorated for more than a hundred years. After all, it was here that the rulers of Venice lived, which means that this palazzo should demonstrate the wealth and grandeur of the Venetians with all its appearance. Like most local attractions, the palace is a symbol of eclecticism. Many styles are intertwined in its architecture, most notably the influence of Gothic, Moorish and Byzantine cultures. Now the palace houses a museum.
Official website: http://palazzoducale.visitmuve
10. Ca' Rezzonico
The three-story marble facade of the Ca' Rezzonico palace facing the Grand Canal
This luxurious and so typical of Venice palazzo was built in the 17th century and belonged to the influential Rezzonico family. Nowadays, there is a museum here, whose visitors can see for themselves how luxuriously the representatives of the Venetian nobility finished their interiors. Also exhibited in the palace are paintings by Tintoretto, Longhi, Guardi, Piazetto, sculptures and unique furniture.
Official website: http://carezzonico.visitmuve
11. Palazzo Santa Sofia
Palazzo Santa Sofia – an elegant palace built in the Venetian style
Another interesting place in Venice. The palace was built by the famous architects of Bona in the 15th century, again for one of the powerful Venetian families. The owners took part in the luxury race of the Venetian aristocracy and finished the facades with gold leaf, alas, it has not survived to this day.
Now it is a museum. At the end of the 19th century, the palace was bought by the wealthy Baron Frenchetti, he was fond of painting and collected an impressive collection, which, together with the house after his death, passed to the state. If the guidebook recommends visiting the Ca' d'Oro Palace – we are talking about the same palazzo – this is its second name.
Official website: http://www.cadoro .org
12. Teatro La Fenice
The main entrance to the main opera house in Venice on Campo San Fantin Square
One of the main theaters in Venice, it burned down several times and was restored again in an even more luxurious form. For this, he received his mythological name – La Fenice, i.e. “phoenix”. It was here that the audience could listen to Rossini's opera for the first time.
Official website: http://www.teatrolafenice.
13. Correr City Museum
The majestic art museum of Correr on St. Mark's Square joergens.mi
The palace, along with a collection of paintings, went to the city from the aristocrat Teodoro Correr, a representative of an influential Venetian clan. Over time, the collection has been growing due to donated and purchased items and gradually turned into the Venetian Museums Foundation.
Official website: http://correr.visitmuve.it/en/
14. Academy Gallery
Entrance to the art museum on the south bank of the Grand Canal Mongolo1984
Initially, an art school was located in the building, built in the 18th century, and a little later, expositions began to be exhibited. In the 19-20th century, the collection was very modest, but through the efforts of patrons, it gradually acquired an impressive size.
Now there are 24 exhibition halls, and the Gallery is one of the main attractions of Venice. It should be borne in mind that there is almost always a queue before entering. Among the works there are paintings by Titian, Canaletto and Veneziano.
Official website: http://www.gallerieaccademia.
15. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Museum of Modern Art in the unfinished Palazzo Andrea Mancini
Contemporary art lovers have no question what to see in Venice, they definitely go to see the collection of Peggy Guggenheim, the famous collector's niece. The basis of the exposition is paintings from Peggy's personal collection, but temporary exhibitions often open in the museum.
Official website: http://www.guggenheim-venice.
16. Bridge of Sighs
Covered passage between buildings with luxurious white marble carvings through the Palace Canal
An elegant bridge connects the royal palazzo with the prison and is made in the form of an arch. This is one of the most romantic places in Venice. According to the sign, if lovers kiss while standing on this bridge, their love will be eternal.
Official site: http://palazzoducale.
17. Bridge Rialto
Rialto Bridge – the very first and oldest bridge across the Grand Canal
If you ask the guides what you should definitely see in Venice in 1 day, they will answer – San Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge. It is thrown across the Grand Canal and is one of the most beautiful structures of the “city on the water”. In addition, the bridge has a rich history.
The first crossing on this site was built in the 12th century – a floating bridge. Then it was replaced by a wooden one, and then a stone one. Tellingly, none of the designs lasted long. However, at the end of the 16th century, a reliable building was built, which is now photographed by all the guests of Venice.
18. Café Florian
Iconic Venetian coffee house with its own orchestra in St Mark's Square Son of Groucho
Cultural place. The coffee shop has been operating here since the 18th century and has been visited by many celebrities past and present. The cafe has several halls, and guests are entertained by their own orchestra. Visitors are delighted with the atmosphere of the place, as well as delicious desserts, interesting cocktails and incomparable coffee.
Official website: http://www.caffeflorian
19 The gondola is a symbol of Venice
A gondolier in a traditional black gondola glides down the canal of Venice
A rare trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride through the local canals. This Venetian boat has become the most recognizable symbol of the city. It is the canals that are local roads, because in Venice it is forbidden to drive cars. Therefore, a gondola ride is an amazing and romantic pastime only for tourists, and for the Venetians it is a common way of transportation.
20. Murano Island
View of the canal surrounded by the attractions of the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon
Surely, many have seen beautiful Venetian glass jewelry and heard rave reviews about them. The origins of this craft come just from the island of Murano, which is why glass is often called Murano. Gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings – here you can buy jewelry in different styles and colors. It is better to do this in specialized shops, because. with hands there is a high probability of buying a fake. There are a lot of such shops on the island, offering the work of local glassblowers. Here you can also watch the process of creating masterpieces.
Official site: http://museovetro.visitmuve.
Venice attractions: what else to visit in Venice?
There are less popular, but no less interesting places in this charming city. Grandiose events that regularly take place in Venice deserve special attention.
21. Burano Island
Picturesque colorful houses of bright colors on the island of Burano
This island attracts with its unusualness. The architecture of local houses is quite trivial, but the color scheme involuntarily causes a smile. Each house is painted in a bright, assigned color. Local residents came up with a funny story for tourists – the wives of local drunkards did it so that their husbands could recognize their home in any condition.
Official website: http://museomerletto.visitmuv< /p>
22. Arsenal
Serrated armory towers connected by a wooden bridge over a canal
It houses an exhibition hall and a research center. And the Arsenal was founded at the beginning of the 12th century to equip battle galleys. The galleon, the famous warship, was also created right there.
Official website: http://www.marina.difesa.
23. Constitution Bridge< /h3>
Bottom view from the Grand Canal to the iron spans and glass parapets of the Constitution Bridge
It is unexpected to see this building among the ancient Venetian sights. The union of metal and glass – the bridge of the Constitution is made in accordance with all modern trends and is very much out of the general appearance of the city. Because of this, until now (it was built in 2008), disputes about its appropriateness in Venice have not subsided.
24. Venice Film Festival
Star guests on the red carpet at the opening of the Jean-Pierre Dalbéra Venice Film Festival
Official website: http://www.labiennale.
This festival, too, of course , is a landmark of Venice. It includes author's films, as well as documentaries and short films. Many world stars and film fans become guests of the event, and the winners receive a very respected prize in the film industry – the Golden Lion.
25. Venice Carnival
Participants in carnival costumes and masks at the annual costume festival in Venice
Ten days of unbridled fun, extravaganza and farce. The streets of Venice are filled with harlequins and people in luxurious masks, and balls are held in numerous Venetian palaces. So it was many centuries ago, and everything is happening now. Carnival participants seem to fall into the past – the magnificent and beautiful Renaissance.
Official website: http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/en/
Venice is multifaceted and diverse. It is impossible to know it completely in one tour, but thanks to this list, you can get to know this magnificent and so romantic city in detail. Read also about the sights of Padua and be inspired to travel further in Italy.
