VENICE - Travel guides to the World
Transcription
VENICE - Travel guides to the World
VENICE Stigs & VICINITY …another travel guide by Stig Albeck 5th edition Stig’s Venice Top 10 in Venice www.turismo-venezia.it www.turismo.veneto.it 45°22'50"N 12°22'8"E Venice is unique in the world and an experience you will never forget. The city in the swamp on the millions of piles is the Pearl of the Adriatic and built up over the centuries to the splendid city, you can visit today. A gondola on the Grand Canal is also a boat ride through the city's long history. The many palaces that through 1000 years has housed the city's wealthy families, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and of course St. Mark's Square are just some of the many world famous attractions. Venice is also one of the romantic capitals, where you can enjoy the gondoliers sing and a walk through the many narrow alleys and along the countless channels. Outside of Venice a number of northern Italy's cultural cities located. Such as Verona, where well-preserved history is on display in the Roman arena and other monuments from the Roman Empire and the following time and centuries. Have a good trip! 13. Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta o dei Gesuiti 14. The Golden House/Ca’ d’Oro 18. Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo 22. Rialto Bridge/Ponte di Rialto 39. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute Table of contents History of Venice ..…………………………….….. page 3 Tour overview ……………………………………… page 6 Sights – tour 1 ……………………….……..….…... page 7 Sights – tour 2 ………………………...….…….… page 11 Sights – tour 3 ……………………….…….…..… page 14 Sights – tour 4 ……………………….…………… page 17 Sights – tour 5 ……………………….…….…..… page 21 Tours from Venice .…………………………....… page 26 Shopping in Venice ..…….……………………… page 31 With kids in Venice ……………………………… page 31 Facts about Italy……….….……………………… page 32 Weather in Italy ………………………………….. page 34 45. St. Mark’s Tower/Campanile di San Marco 47. St. Mark’s Basilica/Basilica di San Marco 50. Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana About the Author Stig Albeck is a writer and a tour guide to Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Canada, USA, Mexico etc. He has travelled in over 80 countries, visited numerous cities and written about many of them. 51. Doge’s Palace/Palazzo Ducale All rights reserved. Text and photos: © Stig Albeck, 2013 5th edition 54. Embankment of Slaves/Riva degli Schiavoni 2 History of Venice The city foundation in the lagoon Behind the natural protection from the Adriatic Sea, the Venice lagoon city hosted scattered habitation of fishermen already before the foundation of Venice itself. A proper settlement of what would become Venice, is believed to have started in the 400s, where people from the mainland sought refuge from invading Huns and Germanic tribes. Migrants were gradually developing villages founded on piles in the marshy islands, and the inhabited area was centered around the Rialto, which was the highest area. There is not a date and year of the city's founding, but it is estimated the city's beginnings was at noon 25 March 421. At this time, the church of San Giacomo di Rialto was inaugurated as the first in Venice. to the city's first dux, a ducal title, which was later renamed the doge. Leo III also gave Ursus the title as consul. In 751 the Lombard King Aistulf conquered most of the Exarchate of Ravenna, and thus Venice became isolated and in terms of area a small Byzantine outpost to the northwest. The dux was Venice's leader, and his residence was located in Malamocco on the island of Lido in the current Venice. During dux Agnello Particiaco who ruled 811827, the seat of government moved to Rialto, and the first Doge's Palace was built along with other new buildings. Adriatic trading rights In 774 the Frankish Empire headed by Charlemagne crushed the Lombard kingdom in Italy, and the new order put Venetian independence under pressure. Charlemagne's son Pippin, who became king of Italy, established a siege of Venice. It lasted six months and resulted in a retreat and defeat for Pippins forces. In the aftermath of the siege Charlemagne and Emperor Nikephoros made an agreement that recognized Venice as Byzantine territory and the city was granted trading rights along the Adriatic coast. The agreement established Venice as a de facto independent republic. Immigration and self-government Venice was still a small settlement in the century after the founding. That changed with the GermanScandinavian Lombards who invaded the Eastern Roman Italy from North in 568. The Lombards, who influenced the future of Lombardy, forced many to flee to Venice, which together with Ravenna to the south was a East Roman enclave that was only connected to the rest of the kingdom, and thus the capital of Constantinople by sea. The isolated position in the kingdom led to a high of autonomy in Venice where Tribuni Maiores met in 568 as the first local governing body. It was a new start in Venice, and during this time major new port facilities were constructed, among other places on the island of Torcello. Officially, Venice remained a part of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the emperor's representative was the exarch in Ravenna. The first doge In 726 it came to a bloody revolt in Ravenna, where the exarch was killed. It happened in the iconoclastic controversy, the Byzantine Iconoclasm, which was a passionate debate between the Orthodox Catholic Church and the Byzantine emperor about the proper use of icons. In this context, Venice supported the Emperors quest to recapture the Exarchate of Ravenna with both men and ships. The aid was by Emperor Leo III reciprocated with extended rights for Venice, which in 726 elected Ursus Mark is coming, and trade flourishes Venice's commercial importance increased, and when Venetian merchants in 828 brought back the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, the city also became a religious 3 center. For the purpose St. Mark's Basilica was built to keep the relics in a suitable place. The following centuries, Venice developed fast, and with the Byzantine Empire's gradual decline, Venice's position constantly was strengthened. Over time, the city was a real city-state in line with Amalfi, Genoa and Pisa. Venice's trade, financial capacity and political power were increased all the time during this period. The city was central to trade between Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire and the Middle East. Venice achieved outstanding rights to trade with the Byzantines by providing ships for the kingdom's fleet. In 1095 the republic's ships supported Pope Urban II's crusade, and this was the beginning of Venice's path to further dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This, however, leaded to a break with Constantinople, which in 1182 persecuted successful Venetians. The crusades dependence on Venetian ships came to be a high cost for Constantinople. The Fourth Crusade of 1202 was the starting of the looting of the city which fell in 1204 in what is believed to have been one of history's most profitable looting of any city. Venice's big booty included among other things the four bronze horses that are now seen at the top of St. Mark's Church. interest was to continue the city's growth, abilities and power. The dominance was, however, increasingly met with resistance in neighboring countries. The city-state of Genoa, which was leading at the sea in the western Mediterranean and Venice went through many battles before Venice in 1380 won a major naval battle of Chioggia. The time gave birth to Venice's quest toward land to complement its dominant trading position on the seas. Through the 1400s the city-state's territory thus extended to both Padua and Verona west of Venice, the area along the eastern Adriatic coast and to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Venetian rule was bulky, but other powers were stronger, and it was the beginning of Venice's decline. The Turkish Ottomans had since the 1420s been at war for dominance on the seas of the eastern Mediterranean, and at the end of the century Venice suffered defeats that led to the loss of rural areas. More seriously for the city-state was several powers alliance of the Venetian countryside close to the Venice. The pope wanted Romagna, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I Friuli and Veneto, Spain wanted the ports of southern Italy region of Apulia, France wanted Cremona and Hungary Dalmatia. Greatness and emerging decline Venice's dominance and influence was especially commercial in nature, and money flowed to the city, where stately palaces were built. Most famous are the Venetian palaces that were built with Byzantine inspiration down to Venice's main water way, the Grand Canal. After the defeat of Constantinople in 1204 the merchants had even better opportunities as Venice's territory had expanded considerably with many colonies that previously belonged to the Byzantine Empire. For example, the island of Crete belonged to Venice. 15 April 1509 French forces left Milan and invaded Venetian territory. The final battle between the disputing powers took place on 14 May 1509 at the Battle of Agnadello. Venice suffered a defeat that could have costed the city-state its life, but with continued will of defense and diplomacy Venice managed to turn the defeat into a partial victory with some reclaimed land. The battle, however, was the end of Venice's expansion. Venice in the 1600-1700s Already in 1348 and again in 1575-1577 the plague had struck Venice, where in the latter period about 50,000 citizens died. In 1630 the disease struck again, and this time a third of the approximately 150,000 inhabitants suffered death. It provided a natural setback for the city. Through 1600-1700s Venice had also fought against the Ottomans, not least for the continued domination of Cyprus and about some land in Greece. More fights Back in Venice the ruling system was inspired by the defunct Roman Empire. The city council ruled and chose a doge as a leader. The wealthy reigned, and their 4 during the 1700s drained the city's once-proud fleet that had once counted more than 3,300 ships. In 1790 the town's merchant fleet was also reduced to a few hundred ships. Venice's power on the seas was over, while the city still had good economy because of other rich cities and the Venetian region of Northern Italy counting Bergamo, Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Venice itself. Italy, which after the formation made Rome its capital and Vittorio Emanuele II was the new king. Despite external decline the wealth gave Venice a cultural boom where literature, construction and art in general flourished through the 1700s. It was thus one of Europe's most elegant cities, which came under pressure as Napoleon's armies were approaching. The French took Venice in April 1797 and thereby ended the former superpower, the Republic of Venice, as an independent nation. The following year Austria conquered the city. The new status as part of Italy started a massive development of Venice in the late 1800s. The past desire for greater dominance of the mainland was now gradually met. There was a steady increase in trade in the harbor, and a mainland connection between Venice and the Veneto mainland opened. Tourism, which is Venice's main source of revenue today, developed with the easier access and improved facilities. Under Mussolini a car bridge was constructed, and the area on the mainland became industrialized. Venice had now grown from a city-state to include the villages of Mestre and Marghera. Industry in the area on the mainland caused the bombing during World War II, but the old part of Venice escaped relatively unscathed through the war years. Industrialization continued in the post-war years, for example in the petrochemical industry, and today Veneto is still in development in relation to other parts of Italy's traditional industrial regions. Investments made jobs in the region, but it was the mainland that developed. The Venice city's population was halved in the years and the islands evolved toward today's Venice, which has significantly fewer people than in the past, but instead here is a highly developed tourism industry. In 1805 Venice became part of the Kingdom of Italy, which was established with the Peace of Pressburg, after the Battle of Austerlitz marked the end of the Third Coalition War. The Kingdom of Italy was a French puppet state, and with Napoleon's final defeat Venice again became subject to Austrian rule. Modern Venice Austria never integrated the city of Venice and the Veneto region in the Alpine country, and it fed the Venetian participation in the growing Italian nationalism that was to become a new political entity. After a rebellion in 1848-1849 the Venetian Republic was reestablished and Venice broke with Austria in 1866. The city then became part of the new kingdom of 5 Venice – tour overview Tur 1 Tur 3 Tur 2 Tur 5 Tur 4 6 31 Sights in Venice – tour 1 10 41 51 61 52 62 53 63 54 64 55 65 56 66 57 67 58 68 59 69 60 70 9 32 42 33 43 34 44 35 45 7 12 8 13 5 36 46 37 47 38 48 39 49 40 50 11 6 4 2 1 3 1. Santa Lucia Railway Station/ Stazione Ferrovie Santa Lucia Ferrovia 45°26'28"N 12°19'15"E Vaporetto: Ferrovia The city of Venice is located on an island in the large lagoon that lies within the lido on the Adriatic Sea. The city's connection to the mainland, where most of the inhabitants live, is the dam where both road and rail runs. Piazzale Roma or Stazione Ferrovie Santa Lucia is thus often the starting point for visitors to the city, and Santa Lucia is also the main terminal of the city's many water buses that runs like public transport with stops along the canals. Today's train station is one of the few modern buildings, located down the Grand Canal. Plans for it began in 1924, when the architect Angiolo Mazzoni started drawings of the railway station. There was ongoing work the following decades, and the building was completed in 1952. 2. Virgin Mary of Nazareth Church/ Chiesa di Santa Maria di Nazareth Fondamente dei Scalzi 57 45°26'28"N 12°19'19"E Vaporetto: Ferrovia Chiesa di Santa Maria di Nazareth is a church with a magnificent Baroque interior, where in addition to generally classy marble decorations, you can enjoy the columned altar and a ceiling painting above the altar. The first station in Venice was built in 1860, and to connect it all the way to the Grand Canal among other buildings the church Chiesa di Santa Lucia was demolished. It has since given its name to the station. 7 The church was built from year 1600 and consecrated in 1705. The distinguished façade in Venetian late Baroque is constructed in the years 1672-1680. The church is also called the Chiesa degli Scalzi, where the word Scalzi means "barefoot" and alludes to the Carmelite monks who came to the city in the latter half of the 1600s. In front of the church is the beautifully constructed bridge Ponte degli Scalzi, which is one of the few bridges that cross the main waterway, the Grand Canal. When the bridge was built in 1934 it replaced a previous bridge at the same place. The church is a pilgrimage church, with the relics of Saint Lucy's stored here. Saint Lucy was a Christian who was martyred in 304 under Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. 5. Labia Palace/Palazzo Labia Fondamenta Labia/Campo San Geremia 45°26'35"N 12°19'31"E Vaporetto: Guglie As one of the last of Venice's great mansions the Spanish Labia family built this baroque palace mainly through the 1700s. It is adjacent to the channel Canale Cannaregio at the Grand Canal. The mansion has recently been restored, and within it the frescoed ceilings are particularly known. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted them in the banquet hall, the Salone delle Feste, in the years 1746-1747. Tiepolo's works here are considered as some of the finest of its kind in Italy, and Gerolamo Mengozzi-Colonna supplemented Tiepolo's works with an optical illusion, trompe l'oeil. The exterior distinguishes Palazzo Labia from many other urban mansions by having both a beautifully decorated façade facing the canal and also in the other direction, in terms of the square Campo San Geremia. As is customary, the facade facing the Canale Cannaregio, is the primary. 3. St. Simon Church/Chiesa di San Simeone Piccolo Campiello della Chiesa 693 45°26'25"N 12°19'20"E Vaporetto: Ferrovia This domed church is from 1718-1738 and thereby one of Venice's newer churches, and probably the last one completed during the Venetian republic time. It was designed by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto in a neoclassical style. 6. St. Marcuola Church/Chiesa di San Marcuola Rio Terà dietro la Chiesa 1777 45°26'34"N 12°19'43"E Vaporetto: San Marcuola Chiesa di San Marcuola originates from founding in the 1100s and a major refurbishment by Giorgio Massari in the years 1730-1736. Inside, there are some works of art to see, among other things Tintoretto's painting The Last Supper / l'Ultima Cena. 7. New Ghetto/Ghetto Nuovo Campo di Ghetto Nuovo www.ghetto.it 45°26'43"N 12°19'36"E Vaporetto: Guglie Campo di Ghetto Nuovo is the main square on a small island in the middle of the Cannaregio district. The island was the world's first Jewish ghetto, which in itself is a word from the Venetian language, which has spread to many parts of the world. 4. San Geremia Church/Chiesa di San Geremia Campo San Geremia 45°26'33"N 12°19'31"E Vaporetto: Guglie Chiesa de San Geremia dates back to the 1000s, but after several modifications, the current building was created from the mid-1700s. The facade, however, changed in the 1860s. From the Roman period is the preserved tower the most visible element. 8 Venice was for a long time very tolerant to the city's Jewish population, but with a larger immigration in the early 1500s it was decided that the Jews were isolated. A ghetto was established in 1516, and all the city's Jews moved to here and had to stay at night. The city's Jewish population increased gradually, and building in the height was then the only option. The ghetto spread out later to other neighboring islands. In 1541 the Old Ghetto/Ghetto Vecchio was established, and in 1633 The New Ghetto/Ghetto Nuovissimo. Despite the name is Ghetto Nuovo older than the Ghetto Vecchio. At Ghetto Nuovo, there are still Jewish shops, although the Jews were assigned common citizenship as early as 1818. There are, among other things, a museum of the ghetto's history and several synagogues. 9. Moor’s Square/Campo dei Mori Campo dei Mori 45°26'44"N 12°19'55"E Vaporetto: Orto The square Campo dei Mori is named after the Moors, even though these people never resided here. However, it has brothers Rioba, Sandi and Afani Mastelli who in the 1100s came from the city Morea on the Greek island of Peloponnese. The brothers built the palace Palazzo Mastelli on site, where you can also see statues of the three brothers, who invested in the Crusades and took home big gains in trading especially African and Asian products. By Campo dei Mori, one can also see the house where the 1500-century artist Jacopo Comin, known as Tintoretto, lived the last twenty years of his life. Casa di Tintoretto (Fondamenta dei Mori 3399) is located a few houses to the east along the canal Rio de la Sensa. 10. St. Mary dell’Orto Church/ Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto Campo della Madonna dell’Orto www.madonnadellorto.org 45°26'47"N 12°19'57"E Vaporetto: Orto Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto was built in 1300 and originally dedicated to the traveler's patron saint Saint Christopher. However, it was already about 1400 rebuilt to accommodate the Virgin Mary statue that stands in the church. The statue was found in one of the area's gardens, and was said to perform miracles. The church was renamed in this honor. The church facade takes its appearance from the years 1460-1464, and you can also see the bell tower, which was completed in 1503. At the bell tower there are statues of Evangelists, while the facade is decorated with niches with Jesus' twelve disciples . Inside, in addition to the Virgin Mary statue, there are some interesting 1500s paintings in the choir by the artist Tintoretto, who for many years lived near the church, and who is buried here. In Contarini Chapel/Capella Contarini you can see Tintoretto's work St. Agnes' Miracle/Il Miracolo di San Agnese, and both Tintoretto and other artists such as Cima da Conegliano have decorated other parts of the church. 8. St. Martialis Church/Chiesa di San Marziale Campo San Marziale 45°26'37"N 12°19'58"E Vaporetto: Orto, San Marcuola, Ca’ d’Oro The first edition of Chiesa di San Marziale was built in the 800s and rebuilt in the mid-1100s. The medieval and unadorned exterior is in opposition to the current baroque interior, which dates from 1693 to 1714. The renovated church was consecrated by Bishop Pietro Barbarigo in 1721. Of particular interest is the interior decoration, which features frescoed ceilings by Sebastiano Ricci and works from 1548-1549 by the Renaissance painter and native son Tintoretto. 11. Church of Mercy/Chiesa della Misericordia Campo dell'Abbazia 45°26'38"N 12°20'7"E Vaporetto: Ca’ d'Oro, Orto Chiesa della Misericordia was founded in the 900s. The current building is dominated by the opulent façade, that Gaspare Moro created in the 1650s. The decoration consists mainly of allegorical statues. The building immediately next to the church in a westerly direction is the Old Mercy School/Scuola Vecchia della Misericordia, whose building was built in 1310. 9 To the south of the church is the school building The New Mercy School/Scuola nuova della Misericordia, whose architectural lines originates from the 1500s. 13. St. Mary Assumption Jesuit Church/ Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta o dei Gesuiti Campo dei Gesuiti 45°26'35"N 12°20'20"E Vaporetto: Fondamente Nove This church is also just called Gesuiti by the Jesuit monks who, after a dispute between Pope Paul V and Venice were exiled from the city. The conditions were normalized, and in the years 1715-1729, they could build this very beautiful and richly decorated church. The exterior baroque design is one thing, but the visit is rewarded by the ample interior of the church, which used different colors marble in a splendid composition and splendidly done frescoed ceilings. 12. The New Quays/Fondamenta Nuove Fondamenta Nuove 45°26'33"N 12°20'29"E Vaporetto: Fondamente Nove The street Fondamenta Nuove is a long quay established in the 1580s. Today it is a good promenade in one of Venice's more quiet neighborhoods away from the tourist flowing to the south. There are good views to the islands to the north in the lagoon, including the neighboring Isola di San Michele, a cemetery island. 10 Sights in Venice – tour 2 31 41 32 42 33 43 34 44 35 45 14 15 51 61 52 62 53 63 54 64 55 65 56 66 57 67 58 68 59 69 60 70 17 16 18 23 36 46 37 47 38 48 39 49 40 50 22 19 20 21 On the ground floor there is a loggia behind a colonnade with direct access from the canal. On the first floor there is a balcony and the mansion's main salon. The building is constructed with an inner courtyard, where climbing stairs and balconies were demolished in the 1800s. The State bought Ca' d'Oro in 1922, and after restoration stands the palace now in its former glory. Visitors can go beyond the actual building experience in a gallery that especially includes the Ca' d'Oros last private owner, Giorgio Franchettis art collection. 14. The Golden House/Ca’ d’Oro Calle della Ca’ d’Oro 3932 www.cadoro.org 45°26'27"N 12°20'2"E Vaporetto: Ca’ d’Oro Ca' d'Oro means gold house, and it is beautifully situated on the Grand Canal. Its official name is St. Sofia Palace/Palazzo Santa Sofia, but has always been known as Ca' d'Oro due to the original exterior decorations with gilding. Ca' d'Oro is considered as the most beautiful palace in Venice, and it holds in its architecture the city's typical style with a mixture of Western and Oriental decorations. The mansion was built in 1428-1430 by the prestigious Contarini family, who over the years has produced eight of the city's doges. The Ca' d'Oro architects were also the ones behind the city's Doge's Palace, Palazzo Ducale, and towards the Grand Canal, you can clearly see their particularly flourishing Venetian Gothic. 15. Christ's Apostle Church/ Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli di Cristo Campo Santi Apostoli 45°26'25"N 12°20'12"E Vaporetto: Ca’ d’Oro With the founding in the 7th century Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli one of the oldest churches in Venice. Reportedly St. Magnus of Oderzo had a vision from 11 Jesus' disciples to build a church exactly where he saw 12 cranes, and thus began the construction at this spot. The church stands today as a result of especially a major renovation that was completed in 1575. Most famous of the interior is the chapel for the family Cornaro, Cappella Cornaro, which was built by Mauro Codussi in the 1490s. From the late 1500s the works of, among others, Paolo Veronese and Giovanni Contarini can be seen. 16. Virgin Mary Miracoli Church/ Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli Campo dei Miracoli 45°26'22"N 12°20'21"E Vaporetto: Ca’ d’Oro/Rialto Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli was built 1481-1489 by Pietro Lombardo with great use of marble and is therefore also called the Marble Church. It is considered one of the city's finest examples of early Venetian Renaissance. The church is very beautiful and richly decorated both inside and out. The many marble works, columns and reliefs form a colorful and stylistically very clean and light building where the central staircase to the altar is dominant. 18. St. George and Paul Basilica/ Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo www.basilicasantigiovanniepaolo.it 45°26'21"N 12°20'31"E Vaporetto: Ospedale This basilica is one of the largest churches in Venice. It was built as the city's Dominican church, hence, the impressive size that would match a large congregation. Dominicans got the land in 1246 by the doge Jacopo Tiepolo. They built a church that stood until 1333, from which the present basilica was built. It was completed after almost a hundred years of construction in 1430. Inside, there are many paintings and funerary monuments, including for Doge Jacopo Tiepolo, who donated the land in its time. A total of 25 doges are buried in the church, the most since the 1400s. Among the chapels is the ornate 16th Century Rosary Chapel/Cappella del Rosario particularly worth seeing. The most impotant of the church's relics is of Catherine of Siena, who was a nun in Dominican Friars in the 1300s. Next to the church, at the square Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, stands an equestrian statue. It is produced by Andrea del Verrocchio around 1480 and envision the military man Bartolomeo Colleoni. 17. St. Marc Great School/ Scuola Grande di San Marco Fondamenta dei Mendicanti 6776 45°26'24"N 12°20'31"E Vaparetto: Ospedale Scuola Grande di San Marco was established as part of the so-called Great Schools in Venice/Scuole Grandi di Venezia, which was founded as education accessible to all, regardless of background, students should just be citizens of Venice. The school was built in 1260. The original building burned down, however, in 1485 and had to be rebuilt. The result is the distinguished Renaissance building, you can see today. The façade with it's arches and sculptures is an impressive sight. In 1819, the institution was redesigned as an Austrian military hospital, and today it houses a civil hospital. 19. St. Lawrence Church/Chiesa di San Lorenzo Campo San Lorenzo 45°26'14"N 12°20'43"E Vaporetto: San Zaccaria Chiesa di San Lorenzo's history dates back to its founding in the 9th century. The church burned down in 1105, but was rebuilt. The present church is the result of a major renovation in the years 1592-1602, and it is most famous for being the place where the merchant and explorer Marco Polo was buried after his death in early January 1324. 12 22. Rialto Bridge/Ponte di Rialto Ponte di Rialto 45°26'16"N 12°20'9"E Vaporetto: Rialto Rialto Bridge is the largest of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal, and over many centuries it was also the only one. The bridge is also at the city's highest point, although this may be difficult to see. The first bridge on the site was built as a pontoon bridge in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. The bridge was called Mint Bridge/Ponte della Moneta due to the city's coin lying here on the east side. Rialto Market/Rialto Mercato next to the bridge quickly created a lot of traffic over the Ponte della Moneta, and in 1255 a wooden bridge was built. In the first half of the 1400s shopping malls on the bridge sides opened, and rental income generated funds for bridge maintenance. The wooden bridge was difficult to maintain and it both burned and collapsed over the years. In the early 1500s a proposal to build a stone bridge arose. However, it took some years before Antonio da Ponte's design was chosen and the bridge built. It was opened in 1591 after three years of construction. The bridge is one of Venice's landmarks, and it is wonderful both to sail under and cross by foot. The site also provides an excellent view over the Grand Canal's winding course and many beautiful mansions. 20. St. Mary Formosa Church/ Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa Campo Santa Maria Formosa 45°26'13"N 12°20'27"E Vaporetto: Rialto Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa is a work of the Renaissance architect Mauro Codussi. It was built in the late 1400s, while the two church facades, however, came later. The façade facing the canal was erected from 1542 and it is faithful to the church's Renaissance architecture, while the facade facing the square is from the 1600s Baroque period. An additional feature of the main church is the elegant tower. 21. The Holy Saviour Church/Chiesa di San Salvador Campo San Salvador 45°26'11"N 12°20'11"E Vaporetto: Rialto The Saviour Church, Chiesa di San Salvador, was founded in 1177 by Pope Alexander III after his reconciliation with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in the nearby St. Mark's Church/Basilica di San Marco. However, the present church was built from 1508 in Venetian Renaissance style. The beautiful, bright façade was built in 1663, and in that one can see a bricked cannonball. The bullet comes from an Austrian bombardment in 1849. Of the inside decoration you can enjoy fine mosaic floors in many colors and artwork of Tiziano Vecellio, for example, the biblical scene of the Annunciation/ Annuciazione from the years 1559 to 1564. In connection with the church and immediately south of the site is the former convent buildings now used for office purposes. 23. St. Jacob Church in Rialto/ Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto Campo San Giacomo de Rialto 45°26'18"N 12°20'7"E Vaporetto: Rialto, Rialto Mercato Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto is as the name suggests located in the district of Rialto. It is regarded as Venice's oldest, as it is believed that the first church on the site was consecrated in the year 421. The present church is in its original form erected around year 1000, but the earliest documentation is from 1152. The church is particularly famous in the city for the very large clock that hangs over the entrance. The clock is from the 1400s and was a practical installation here in Venice's commercial center. 13 Sights in Venice – tour 3 51 61 52 62 53 63 44 54 64 45 55 65 46 56 66 47 57 67 58 68 59 69 60 70 31 41 32 42 33 26 24 43 48 25 31 27 28 49 29 50 30 After Longhena died during the building time the Pesaro family allowed Gian Antonio Gaspari to complete the house in 1710. In 1902 it was decided to refurbish the palace into a museum for the city's collection of modern art; a collection that was established five years earlier. Today there are mainly 1800-1900-century artists to be seen in the museum, that both exhibits works by Venetian and other artists. In Ca' Pesaro there is also a museum of oriental art. You can i.e. see Japanese, Chinese and Indonesian works. 25. Mocenigo Palace/Palazzo Mocenigo Salizzada San Stae 1992 www.visitmuve.it 45°26'26"N 12°19'47"E Vaporetto: San Stae The family Mocenigo has historically been one of the city's leading and their San Stae branch resided in this mansion from the 17th century. The family's importance is emphasized by the fact that they between 1414 and 1778 delivered seven doges. The palace was originally built in Gothic style, it got the present look by the conversion in the early 1600s. The last descendant of the Mocenigo family donated the mansion to the City Council in 1945 in order to create a museum. In 1985 the site was converted into a center for historical textiles and clothing suits, and besides that a visit here gives a good impression of historic Venetian wealthy standards. 24. Ca’ Pesaro/Ca’ Pesaro Santa Croce 2076 www.capesaro.visitmuve.it www.arteorientale.org 45°26'27"N 12°19'53"E Vaporetto: San Stae Ca' Pesaro is a marble palace in Baroque style, which is located at the Grand Canal. Construction began in the 1600s by the architect Baldassarre Longhena's design. 14 At Campo San Polo stands the Chiesa di San Polo, which in its present form is from the 1400s. The Campanile bell tower was however completed in 1362, and on the ground there has been a church since around year. You can also see some beautiful mansions here, such as Palazzo Tiepolo (Campo San Polo 1957) from the 1500s and Palazzo Soranzo (Campo San Polo 21692170) from the 1400s, both located on the east side of the square. 28. Virgin Mary Brother Church/ Chiesa di Santa Maria Gloriose dei Frari Campo dei Frari 45°26'12"N 12°19'35"E Vaporetto: San Tomà This Gothic church from the 1200-1300s is almost enormous compared to the low settlements in the surrounding streets. The church tower reaches a height of 80 meters and has only been surpassed by the Campanile in Piazza San Marco. The church was built by the Franciscan Order in its original appearance and size between 1250 and 1338 and an expansion was almost immediately started. The high bell tower was finished in 1396. Inside the big church there are many beautiful and interesting sights. The carved seat rows in the monks' choir was built in 1468 and centrally behind the choir is the high altar with the artist Tiziano Vecellios work from 1518 of Mary's Ascension, l' Assunta. Immediately on either side of the altar are the tombs of doges Nicolò Tron and Francesco Foscari. A detail of the church is that it embodies Venice's only preserved lectorium, which means the pulpit, the Scripture was read from. Next to the church are associated monastery buildings. The now former monastery is designed for public administration, but the cloister with the atmospheric walkways stands as in former times, with all their monastic charm. 26. The Turkish House/Fondaco dei Turchi Salizada del Fontego dei Turchi 1730 www.msn.ve.it 45°26'30"N 12°19'43"E Vaporetto: San Stae Fondaco dei Turchi is a palace on the Grand Canal, which was previously ghetto of Venice's Turkish population. The building dates from the first half of the 1200s, and in 1381 it was purchased by the Venetian state. After having worked as a Turkish ghetto from the early 1600s to 1838, the building was a kind of center for Turkish trade. Today, it is designed as the city's Natural History Museum, Museo di Storia Naturale, which has many interesting things in the exhibition. 29. St. Roch Great School/ Scuola Grande di San Rocco Campo San Rocco www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it 45°26'11"N 12°19'31"E Vaporetto: San Tomà Behind the name Scuola Grande di San Rocco hides a building where you can see the largest collection of works by the artist and the Venetian Tintoretto, who lived from 1518 to 1594. Tintoretto was commissioned to provide paintings in 1564, and he is responsible for more than 50 works here which took over 20 years to complete. Perhaps the most impressive is the crucifixion/La Crocifissione that can be seen in the lavish Sala dell'albergo. Sala Superiore has a similar beautiful decor. 27. San Polo Square/Campo San Polo Campo San Polo 45°26'15"N 12°19'47"E Vaporetto: San Silvestro Campo San Polo is one of Venice's main squares and has previously been used for, among other masked balls, bullfights and major public ceremonies. The square was paved in 1493 and one of the few fountains that over time have been in Venice was erected here. Of more stupendous cases, Lorenzino de' Medici was assassinated here in 1548, Lorenzino de' Medici is known as the man who killed his cousin Alessandro, Duke of Florence. 15 The building was built as a school by a group of wealthy citizens who founded it in 1478. Construction of the new school building was approved in 1499 and went on for many years with a completion in 1560. The school was recognized as one of Venice's so called Great Schools/Scuola Grande. The monks built in the period 1590-1714 this church in Saint Nicholas of Tolentinos name. From the outside, it differs from other churches in the city by being the only one with a Corinthian portico. Vaporetto/Vaporetto www.actv.it Venice's main roads are the small and large channels that connect almost every corner of the city. The highway is the Grand Canal, which winds through the city before it flows into the Venice Lagoon. A good way and simultaneously a must do during a visit is a boat ride on the Grand Canal, but it is also interesting to sail south and north of the central districts, where you get a different impression than in the absolute center. You can sail along the major waterways with the city's water buses, the vaporettos, that operate as regular buses with regular stops. A tour in the smaller canals is most evocative done in a gondola, and if you want to move a little faster, you can take a water taxi. A hub in the vaporetto system is Santa Lucia train station, from where you can sail both the classic ride along the Grand Canal and to other destinations. 30. Martyr St. Pantaleon Church/ Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire Campo San Pantalon 45°26'8"N 12°19'28"E Vaporetto: San Tomà This church, colloquially called San Pantaleon, is worth a visit due to the huge and impressive ceiling painting, Gian Antonio Fumiani painted in the period 1680-1704. The painting depicts Saint Pantaleons martyrdom and apotheosis. 31. St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church/ Chiesa di San Nicolò da Tolentino Campo dei Tolentino 45°26'15"N 12°19'19"E Vaporetto: Piazzale Roma After the Holy Roman pillage of Rome in 1527 members of the Catholic Theatiner monks came to Venice in the same year. 16 Sights in Venice – tour 4 31 41 51 61 32 42 52 62 33 43 53 63 34 44 54 64 35 45 55 65 56 66 57 67 58 68 59 69 60 70 33 36 46 37 47 38 48 39 49 40 43 34 42 36 41 35 32 37 38 40 39 50 32. Saint Nicholas Mendicoli Church/ Chiesa di San Nicolò dei Mendicoli Campo San Nicolò 45°25'57"N 12°18'57"E Vaporetto: San Basilio This church was first constructed in the 7th century, making it one of the oldest in Venice. The current church building and church tower dates from the 1100s, but the church has undergone several renovations since then. For example, the floor was raised in 1970 as it was previously under the water table in the surrounding canals. On the outside the church is quite simple and not very flashy, but inside it is richly decorated with archways, gilded statues, large ceiling paintings and other art. regardless of their background, which for example gave impecunious new opportunities. Initially, the school administration was in the Carmelite monastery next door, and a partnership started with the Carmelites. The school got the city council's approval in 1597, and in 1767 the institution was obtained as the last school in town to get the title of a Great School/Scuola Grande. Only schools that took students without regard to their circumstances, were given that title. Best known in the school is the splendid chapter house/Sala Capitolare which the artist Tiepolo decorated in the period 1739-1749. The nine ceiling paintings are considered to be among his best works. Among other noteworthy rooms are Archive Hall/Sala dell'Archivio and Hospice Hall/Sala dell'albergo, both of which are also lavishly decorated. 34. Virgin Mary Church in Carmini/ Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Carmini Campo Carmini 45°26'0"N 12°19'20"E Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico This church is in its original form built from 1286 and inaugurated in 1348, but it has over the centuries been repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. The foundation came with Carmelite monks that with a large congregation was one of the city's most wealthy. Their background is seen on the church's facade, it is decorated with statues of the founders of the order. 33. Carmini Great School/Scuola Grande dei Carmini Campo Carmini 45°26'1"N 12°19'20"E www.scuolagrandecarmini.it Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico Scuola Grande dei Carminis history goes back to its founding 1 March 1594 as a school for students 17 In the church there are various altars, sculptures and works of art, made by eg Tintoretto. The church tower stands picturesquely facing the canal with a statue of the Virgin Mary on top, forming a very evocative Vue. Palazzo Bon would be built, and the architect Baldassarre Longhena was hired for the work, but it stopped with Bons economic decline. The Rezzonico family bought the unfinished marble mansion and finished the construction. Venice city government bought the Ca' Rezzonico in 1935 and it is today a museum of Venice in the 1700s. Besides the very beautifully decorated mansion building, you can experience various art and furniture that gives a good impression of that era. 35. Fist’s Bridge/Ponte dei Pugni Ponte dei Pugni 45°25'59"N 12°19'27"E Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico Of Venice's numerous bridges over the city's many canals Ponte dei Pugni is one of the most well known. Pugni means fists, and the name comes from the fact that the bridge was formerly a well-known place for staging fist fights. The loser was subsequently thrown into the water. These fights were banned in 1705, but you can see the pair of footprints on the ground, which marks the starting point for the fights. 37. Academy Gallery/Gallerie dell’Accademia Campo della Carità www.gallerieaccademia.org 45°25'51"N 12°19'41"E Vaporetto: Accademia Gallerie dell'Accademia is an art museum that houses a large and very fine paintings collection of works from primarily the 1200-1700s. The core of the collection is the many works of Venetian painters, and the many artists and centuries represented 36. Rezzonico House/Ca’ Rezzonico Fondamenta Rezzonico 3136 http://carezzonico.visitmuve.it 45°26'0"N 12°19'35"E Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico Ca 'Rezzonico is a mansion, located down to the Grand Canal. It started with Filippo Bon, who in 1649 decided to build a new beautiful mansion in the place where two smaller houses were located. 18 give a good impression of the width that has been in the city's artistic life. One of the museum's most famous works of art is Leonardo da Vinci's drawing of the Vitruvian Man/Uomo Vitruviano which is believed designed in 1487. The background of the museum was established by the Academy of Fine Arts/Accademia di Belle Arti in 1750. In 1807 the academy moved to the current building, which has a past as school, church and monastery. gratitude for the relief of the plague. It takes place 21 November at the event Festa della Madonna della Salute, where a procession goes from San Marco. 38. Peggy Guggenheim Collection/ Collezione Peggy Guggenheim Calle San Cristoforo www.guggenheim-venice.it 45°25'50"N 12°19'53"E Vaporetto: Accademia, Salute Collezione Peggy Guggenheim is a museum that exhibits some of the world's best in contemporary art. There are paintings and sculptures, and countless artists are represented, including Salvador Dalí, Vasily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso. The collection was founded by American Peggy Guggenheim, who in 1910 bought the works of primarily expressionism, cubism and surrealism. Guggenheim bought the museum building in 1949 and used it as her home until her death in 1979. The building is called Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and was built in 1700. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is regarded as one of Italy's most beautiful examples of Baroque buildings outside Rome. Among the details are more than 100 statues that adorn the building. 40. Sea Customs/Dogana di Mare Fondamenta della Dogana alla Salute 2-7 45°25'50"N 12°20'10"E Vaporetto: Salute Dogana di Mare is a customs house, originally built in the 1400s on the eastern tip of the district of Dorsoduro. In the years 1676-1682 it was rebuilt and given the current facade. The location meant that you from here could control the entrance to the Grand Canal. 39. Virgin Mary Savior's Basilica/ Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute Campo della Salute 45°25'50"N 12°20'5"E Vaporetto: Salute The impressive Baroque church, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, is located at the mouth of the Grand Canal's inner part towards the Venetian lagoon. The church's dimensions are stressed by the fact that the foundation consists of more than 100,000 poles that are hammered into the soft ground. Construction was started in gratitude of the end of the epidemic plague in 1630 after it ravaged and spread dead and became the end for about a third of the city's population since the summer of 1629. The foundation stone of the church was laid down the following year, and the completion of the church happened in 1687. On that occasion, it was decided that the city's senate each year should visit the church in From the promenade in front of the building there are outstanding views in several directions. Grand Canal, 19 Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice Lagoon are the highlights, but it's also interesting just to follow the hectic traffic on the water, where water buses, gondolas, police boats and many other boats pass by. magnificent as much else in Venice. Construction started in 1790 and already in 1792 the building was inaugurated as the opera house La Fenice, which means Phoenix and refers to the fact that the site rose from the ashes. Already in 1836 the opera burned again, and this time the rebuilding went fast. Already in 1837 could it be reopened once again with a magnificent interior. There are many great setups that have premiered here. Giuseppe Verdi used La Fenice for plays like La Traviata and Rigoletto. 41. St. Stephen Square/Campo Santo Stefano Campo Santo Stefano 45°25'59"N 12°19'49"E Vaporetto: Giglio/Sant’ Angelo Campo Santo Stefano is one of Venice's main squares and forms the setting for several mansions, eg Morosini Palace House/Palazzo Morosini. In the middle of the square you can see a monument to the Italian literary historian Nicolò Tommaseo. At the north end of the square is St. Stephen Church/Chiesa di Santo Stefano, which is mainly built in the 1300s, however, with later alterations. The church contains several funerary monuments, among them one for the 14th century doge Andrea Contarini. Campo Santo Stefano is also known as Campo Francesco Morosini, whose name comes from the Venetian naval hero from the 1600s; Franceso Morosini. 43. Contarini Bovolo Palace/ Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo Calle delle Locande www.scalabovolo.org 45°26'5"N 12°20'3"E Vaporetto: San Marco/Rialto Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace, which was built in the 1400s. It is known for the external spiral staircase tower, Scala Contarini del Bovolo, located in the courtyard and forms a large archway across several floors. Public transport in Venice Venice water busses: www.actv.it Venice airport: www.veniceairport.it Italian railroads: www.trenitalia.com 42. Fenice Opera/Gran Teatro La Fenice Campo S. Fantin www.teatrolafenice.it 45°26'0"N 12°20'0"E Vaporetto: Giglio Since Venice's main opera house burned in 1773, the need arose for a new building, and this had be 20 Sights in Venice – tour 5 51 61 52 62 53 63 54 64 55 65 56 66 57 67 38 58 68 39 59 69 60 70 40 56 59 55 46 47 52 45 44 48 49 50 51 54 57 58 50 53 44. St. Mark's Square/Piazza San Marco Piazza San Marco 45°26'2"N 12°20'17"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria Piazza San Marco is Venice's main square, and actually it is the only place in town that is called with the name Piazza, the majority of the other is titled with the bane of a lesser Campo. The result of the meeting was the Peace of Venice, where reconciliation and peace was concluded between the Papal States, The Lombard League and the Holy Roman Empire, which suffered defeat to the Lombard League at the Battle of Legnano in 1176. Emperor Barbarossa was forced to seek peace, and he recognized at peace Alexander III as pope instead of his own anti-pope. Piazza San Marco is dominated by several large buildings, the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's Palace to the east, the Campanile in the square and the pillar arcade buildings to the west (L'Ala Napoleonica), north (Procuratorie Vecchie) and south (Procuratorie Nuove). Procuratie Vecchie was first built in the 1100s for offices and homes of the procurators, which gave its name to the place. The current building dates from the 1500s. Procuratie Nuove was built in the period 1586-1640, while the Napoleon wing/L'Ala Napoleonica is from around 1810. It was erected as a replacement for a few former side wings and a small church. The official gateway to the square are the two pillars erected in honor of the town's patron saints, St. Mark/San Marco and St. Theodore/San Teodoro, and they welcome visitors from the water. The pillars provide access to a part of the square, called the Little St. Mark's Square/Piazzetta San Marco. Public executions took place here in the 1700s. The square's history dates back to the 800s, when it was founded as a small square in front of St. Mark's Basilica. The current square was created in 1177, when several channels were filled up, so the area could form an appropriate place for this year's landmark meeting between Pope Alexander III and the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. 21 The pavement of Piazza San Marco has since the 13th century been first in a herringbone pattern and since 1723 in a more complex geometric pattern. The square is Venice's lowest point, and therefore it can be partially submerged at certain times. This can be an experience in itself, when racks are put up to allow pedestrians who still can cross the square dry-shod. The lavish style of the Clock Tower is an exhibition of Venice's wealth. The great clock and its work is the original from 1499, and the building on the whole has also not been altered since it was built. 47. St. Mark’s Basilica/Basilica di San Marco Piazza San Marco www.basilicasanmarco.it 45°26'4"N 12°20'23"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria Basilica di San Marco is the best known of all the Venetian churches, and it is also the finest example of Byzantine architecture in the city. Originally it was functioning as the chapel for Venice's rulers, but since 1807 it has had the status of the city's cathedral and is the seat of the Patriarch of Venice. 45. St. Mark's Tower/Campanile di San Marco Piazza San Marco 45°26'2"N 12°20'20"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria Campanile di San Marco is one of Venice's famous landmarks. It measures 98 meters in height and reached its present appearance in the 1514. The tower collapsed, however, in 1902, and a reconstruction of the original tower was built and completed in 1912. The tower dates back to the 9th century when it was a watchtower of the dock areas that were on site at the time. In the Logetta building below the tower guards for the city's doges were later housed. Logetta was destroyed by the collapse in 1902. There is a fantastic view from the top of the Campanile di San Marco to Piazza San Marco, Venice in general and the lagoon to the east. The first church on the site was built in 828 to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, they had been brought from Alexandria. Basilica di San Marco have had to be restored several times, including after a devastating fire in 978. After the fire started construction of the current church, which was consecrated in 1094. The church was built as a magnificent symbol of the citystate of Venice's wealth and power. It has been rebuilt in the centuries after the inauguration and is now a wonderful mix of Byzantine and Roman style. The church is with its five impressive domes quite large, and both on the facade and the inside are full of unique details. The dimensions of the Basilica di San Marco is a floor plan of 76x62 meters and a height of 43 meters. Outside above the main entrance stands antique horse statues that have previously been exhibited at the Constantinople hippodrome. In 1254 they were installed here at the Basilica di San Marco. In 1797, Napoleon moved them to Paris, where they came back after the Napoleonic wars in 1815. Within the church you are greeted by 1100s marble floors and a sumptuous decor. As in a traditional Byzantine church there is an iconostasis, and it is crowned by Gothic sculptures from the 1400s. At the high altar the relics of St. Mark are kept. 46. St. Mark’s Clock Tower/Torre dell’orologio Piazza San Marco 45°26'5"N 12°20'20"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria Torre dell’orologio is a bell tower that should not be mistaken with the high tower, Campanile di San Marco. This tower was built 1496-1499 as a bell tower with a clock, which could be seen from the ships on the Grand Canal so they could sail on time. 22 One of the most impressive things is the variety of ancient mosaics in gold, bronze and many different stones covering thousands of square meters. 1603 onwards had to be sent in a copy to here, but over the years many smaller or larger collections have been added. The library building is in Renaissance and built from 1537. The majority was completed by 1553, however extended later in the 1500s in the same style to the water. 48. Correr Museum/Museo Correr Piazza San Marco 52 http://correr.visitmuve.it 45°26'0"N 12°20'17"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria In the building Procuratorie Nuove on the south side of Piazza San Marco is the Museo Correr located. The beginning of the museum was Teodoro Corrers collection, which he donated to the city in 1830. Correr strenuously collected effects and material that was related to the history of Venice. He had managed to acquire many works of art and other things from various wealthy families, who after the Republic of Venice's decline in 1797 and with varying powers of government had to sell their items in the uncertain times. The museum gives a good insight into Venetian life and culture over the centuries, and there is also a fine art collection. 51. Doge’s Palace/Palazzo Ducale Piazza San Marco 1 http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it 45°26'2"N 12°20'25"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria Doge's Palace, Palazzo Ducale, is the place where Venice's Doges lived and had their administration. It also housed the city's main courts and stands today as one of Venice's landmarks and most magnificent buildings. 49. National Archaeological Museum/ Museo Archeologico Nazionale Piazzetta San Marco 17, Piazza San Marco 52 www.polomuseale.venezia.beniculturali.it 45°26'0"N 12°20'17"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria At Venice's National Archaeological Museum you can see a fine display of various finds from, among other things Greek, Roman and Assyrian cultures, as well as a number of other items, such as pottery and coin finds. The current Doge's Palace is mainly built in the years 1309-1424. The style is typically Venetian with its mix of western Gothic and oriental ornamentation. There are two ornate facades, facing respectively Piazza di San Marco and Venice Lagoon. The facades are constructed with curved arches in the lower floors, and it is a tecnique that creates airiness in the edifice. Close to the facade you can also see the elegant decor of the major surfaces of the outside decor. To the Piazza di San Marco you can see two pillars at the first floor, they are redder than the otherones and just between these columns were death sentences read aloud. The inside of the Palazzo Ducale is also very seeworthy. Among the highlights is the entrance gate next to the Basilica San Marco, Porta della Carta, which is a 50. Mark’s National Library/ Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana Piazzetta San Marco http://marciana.venezia.sbn.it 45°26'0"N 12°20'21"E Vaporetto: San Marco, San Zaccaria This is a library that contains one of the world's finest collections of classic texts. The core of the many works comes from the fact that all books printed in Venice 23 beautiful example of Venetian late Gothic style. New doges were led this way into the palace. In the palace courtyard, there are several styles mixed together in a very attraction composition. Here the Giants Stairs/Scala dei Giganti lead from the courtyard to the upper floors and the residence of the doge. The giants depict the gods Mars and Neptune, and they are created in 1567. The many rooms in the palace count besides residential areas also political meeting rooms and various function rooms. paintings, among other Venetian Tintoretto's depiction of The Last Supper/l'Ultima Cena. You can also go for a walk into the slim bell tower from 1791, where you are rewarded with a fine view of the lagoon and towards the center of Venice. At the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore there are also some monastery buildings. The monastery's history dates back to the year 982, when the whole island was donated to a Benedictine monk, who subsequently founded the place. In 1177 Pope Alexander III and the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa resided here at their meeting in the city. The current monastery buildings are mainly built through the 16th and 17th centuries. 52. Bridge of Sighs/Ponte dei Sospiri Fra Ponte della Paglia 45°26'2"N 12°20'27"E Vaporetto: San Zaccaria Behind the Palazzo Ducale is the famous Bridge of Sighs, Ponte dei Sospiri, leading from the Ducal Palace across the canal Rio di Palazzo to the place of imprisonment. The 11 meter long bridge was built 1600-1603 by Antonio Contin, and its purpose was to provide easy access from the cells to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. Many prisoners have gone this route, including native son Giacomo Casanova, who was arrested and sentenced in 1755. 54. Embankment of Slaves/Riva degli Schiavoni Riva degli Schiavoni www.hoteldanielivenice.com 45°26'1"N 12°20'40"E Vaporetto: San Zaccaria The street Riva degli Schiavoni form a highly atmospheric promenade at the Venice Lagoon. The view from here is awesome and in addition to the many tourist stalls Venetian gondolas are numerous. You can take a walk or just enjoy the sight of the beautiful boats. The promenade was built in the 1400s, and along the way there are churches, monuments and one of Europe's most exciting hotels, Hotel Danieli (Riva degli Schiavoni 4196), which is housed in the Palazzo Dandolo from the 1300s. Previously, the building has been an opera, but since 1822 it has been a hotel with many distinguished guests through the years. The name Riva degli Schiavoni refers to the slaves from the Dalmatian coast, who typically were Croats and came to Venice as artists and thus had some influence on the city-state. 53. Saint George Great Church/ Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore 45°25'45"N 12°20'36"E Vaporetto: San Giorgio The view from Piazza San Marco across the Grand Canal is very picturesque, and many artists have depicted the beautiful horizon and warm atmosphere. Central to this Vue is the island of Isola di Giorgio Maggiore with the chapel of the same name. After a trip on the water bus to the island you can see the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore, appearing from 1566 by the architect Andrea Palladio and completed around 1610. Palladio's works can be seen in several places in Italy, and the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore is a fine example of his style. Inside the basilica, you see a church that is built light and in a classic renaissance style. There are various 55. St. Zacharias Church/Chiesa di San Zaccaria Campo San Zaccaria 45°26'5"N 12°20'36"E Vaporetto: San Zaccaria This church is built in the style mix of Gothic and Renaissance in the period 1444-1515 and dedicated to John the Baptist's father, whose body is believed buried 24 in the church. As early as the 800s there was a church here, and its historical importance is underlined by the crypt, where eight of the Venetian doges are buried. The early Romanesque church was rebuilt in 1170, where the preserved bell tower, Campanile, originates. Inside, there are some works of art in the form of several masters' paintings on the walls, eg by Tintoretto and Van Dyck. 56. Saint George Greek Church/ Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci Calle dei Greci 3435 45°26'7"N 12°20'41"E Vaporetto: San Zaccaria Over the centuries, the Greek Orthodox Church was not allowed in Venice. It was in 1498, the Greeks got the permission to establish an actual church to their Christian faith, and through taxation on shipping from the Orthodox world, they gathered funds for the construction. In 1539, the foundations for Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci were laid, and after 22 years of construction it was inaugurated in 1561. The elegant bell tower was not completed until 1592. Inside there are frescoes from around 1590 and it is naturally built in Greek design and style which is evident with i.e. the iconostasis. A part down the Via Garibaldi is a green area around the side street Viale Garibaldi. Here is a statue from 1885 depicting Giuseppe Garibaldi, which is considered as the man behind the unification of Italy in the 1800s. 59. The Arsenal/Arsenale Fondamenta di Fronte 45°26'9"N 12°21'15"E Vaporetto: Arsenale Arsenale is Venice's old naval area that was established in the 1100s. Over the years there has been a great expansion of the facilities. The two distinctive towers at Porta da Mar, resting on each side of the canal Rio de l'Arsenale is the example from the 1500s. The fleet was the lifeblood of the trading power Venice to maintain its empire and its revenues. Arsenale was therefore the city's most important and largest employer. Up to the Republic of Venice's decline in 1797 the fleet gradually lost its importance, and Napoleon's destruction ended the area's original activity, although the Arsenale still belong to the military. 57. Naval Museum/Museo Storico Navale Riva San Biasio Castello 2148 www.marina.difesa.it/venezia 45°25'57"N 12°21'0"E Vaporetto: Arsenale At Venice's old naval area, Arsenale, you find the city's interesting naval museum. Its exhibition portrays both the Venetian and the later Italian Navy's history. The museum gives a good insight into the foundations of Venice's success and wealth, which not least was created through strong trade and shipping. 58. Garibaldi Street/Via Garibaldi Via Garibaldi 45°25'56"N 12°21'14"E Vaporetto: Arsenale The street Via Garibaldi is a fine example of a former channel that has been filled. It was French Napoleon, who in 1808 launched the construction. At the corner from the promenade Riva dei Sette Martiri is Giovanni Cabotos house. Caboto known in England as John Cabot, the man who under the British flag set sail from Bristol and became the first European since the Vikings to set foot on the American mainland and what became today's Canada. 25 Tours from Venice 31 41 51 32 42 52 33 43 53 34 44 54 68 64 63 55 35 45 36 46 37 47 57 38 48 58 39 49 40 50 62 61 69 60 67 65 66 56 59 70 60. Venice Lido/Lido di Venezia Lido di Venezia, 3 km E 45°24'38"N 12°22'12"E Vaporetto: Santa Maria Elisabetta/Casino Venice's famous Lido is a 12 kilometer long island located between Venice Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. Lido was at the beginning of the 1900s one of Europe's leading bathing areas and celebrities flocked here. Today the island is a quiet sanctuary that offers long beaches, beach hotels and quaint small canal streets. All this in a short time by waterbus from Venice. Terracotta walls surround the cemetery, where there grows large cypress trees. Isola di San Michele was designed as a cemetery in the 1800s, and before that most citizens were buried in smaller places in the city of Venice. The practice was halted due to hygienic reasons, and now most bodies are buried, however, on the Italian mainland and not at Isola di San Michele. The island's church, Chiesa di San Michele in Isola, was designed already in 1469. It is the first example of a Renaissance church building in Venice, and it is built in light stones from Istria. 61. St. Michael Island/Isola di San Michele Isola di San Michele, 1 km N 45°26'48"N 12°20'49"E Vaporetto: Cimitero The island Isola di San Michele is a cemetery island used by the city of Venice. It is the closest island north of Venice itself. 62. Murano/Murano Murano, 3 km N www.muranonet.com 45°27'30"N 12°21'7"E Vaporetto: Museo/Da Mula The island of Murano is like a mini version of Venice with its islands and channels, there is also a channel here called Canal Grande. Murano has a cozy and peaceful atmosphere and is famous for the glass, you can see being produced at the many glass factories. 26 Despite its modest size, Murano was for some time the center of Europe's glass production, and at the Glass Museum/Museo Vetrario, located in the palace Palazzo Giustinian, you can see items back to the 1400s. 62a. Virgin Mary and Saint Donato Basilica/ Basilica dei Santa Maria e San Donato Campo San Donato 45°27'26"N 12°21'25"E Vaporetto: Museo Basilica dei Santa Maria e San Donato was built in the 1100s. Inside, there are interesting mosaics and original floor to be seen, and it is worth noting the different styles used, especially Byzantine and Gothic. The church has been a focal point for the up to 30,000 inhabitants, the island had at its peak. 65. Chioggia/Chioggia Chioggia, 53 km S www.chioggia.org 45°13'10"N 12°16'45"E Station: Chioggia The town of Chioggia is located in the southern part of the Venetian lagoon and is built like a mini version of Venice with channels as the historic thoroughfares through the islands, the city with its development have come to lie on. The primary channel is Canal Vena from which the city's many streets, all named Calle, begin from. Canal Vena passes under the beautiful Vigo Bridge/Ponte di Vigo. There are several churches in the city, of which Mary's Assumption Cathedral/Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most remarkable. Chioggia is like Venice built as an island in the lagoon where the built-up area also forms the Old Town and thus provides the island's outer limits. As a gateway to the city stands the Virgin Mary Port/Porta di Santa Maria (Corso del Popolo). 63. Burano/Burano Burano, 8 km NE 45°29'7"N 12°25'2"E Vaporetto: Burano The island of Burano is one of the most visited and popular islands in the Venetian lagoon. In the relatively small island all is within comfortable walking distance and here waits true Venetian lagoon atmosphere with channels and the many colorful houses, the island is particularly known for. Even away from the island, you can see the tower of the church Chiesa di San Martino. The tower has over the years gained a significant lean and it is a prominent feature of the island's silhouette. 64. Torcello/Torcello Torcello, 10 km NE 45°29'38"N 12°25'5"E Vaporetto: Torcello Torcello, now almost deserted, was after its founding in the 5th century the Venetian lagoon's leading city with more than 20,000 inhabitants. Today there are very few compared to its heyday. The architectural highlight of the island is the Byzantine Chiesa di Santa Fosca. The church was built from 1008 into the 1100s, but a former church stood here back from 638, where among other things the pulpit comes from. Around the island you can see the remnants of its former glory. There are channels that have previously been the home of the island's busy lives. Some channels sanded over time and together with epidemics the sanding up and the resulting transport trouble became main causes of depopulation. 66. Sottomarina/Sottomarina Sottomarina, 54 km S 45°12'43"N 12°17'31"E Station: Chioggia As an almost grown together part of Chioggia the town of Sottomarina lies along the Adriatic coast. Sottomarina offers long wide beaches and general seaside ambience along the promenade street Lungomare Adriatico, where the hotels are on a line with swimming pools and a few meters to the ocean waves. 27 The chapel is named after the family Scrovegni from which Enrico Scrovegni built the chapel in memory of his father. 67. Padova/Padova Padova, 40 km SW www.comune.padova.it 45°24'15"N 11°52'35"E Station: Padova Padua is an ancient cultural city in the Veneto region. The city has many sights that you can even see at a longer tour. In any case, you should see the main ones described here, but for example, the Palazzo del Bo (Via VIII Febbraio 2) and Musei Eremitani (Piazza Eremitani) are also recommendable. On a walk through Padua you will get a good impression of some of the city's distinctive features, namely the many arcades, squares and bridges over the river Bacchiglione that through history almost slung around Padua's city walls. 67a. Scrovegni Chapel/Capella degli Scrovegni Piazza Eremitani 45°24'42"N 11°52'46"E Capella degli Scrovegni is a unique building with its beautiful frescoes, carried out by the the Florentine master Giotto in the years 1303-1305. The frescos are painted as a cycle around Virgin Mary's life. 67b. Saint Anthony's Basilica/Basilica di Sant’Antonio Piazza del Santo 45°24'5"N 11°52'51"E The great Basilica of Saint Anthony is with it's Byzantine and Oriental inspiration among Italy's most exciting buildings. It was built in the 1200s in an impressive size and with a great mix of styles. The basilica holds St. Antony's tomb and is visited today by many pilgrims from all over the country. You can also see reliefs by the artist Donatello, who also created the equestrian statue of Gattamelata just outside the basilica. 28 University of Padua are moreover in itself a historic cultural institution that since its founding in 1222 has attracted great artists and scientists such as Giotto, Donatello and Galileo Galilei. 67c. Ragione Palace/Palazzo della Ragione Piazza delle Erbe 45°24'26"N 11°52'30"E Palazzo della Ragione is a huge mansion, built in the period 1172-1219. The dimensions are impressive with a floor plan of 81x27 meters and a height of 24 meters. Inside you can see the Great Hall/Salone, which is adorned by Nicolo Miretto and Stefano da Ferraras works of art from the first half of the 1400s. 68. Vicenza/Vicenza Vicenza, 70 km W www.vicenzae.org 45°32'49"N 11°32'53"E Station: Vicenza The renaissance city of Vicenza has as Venice historically been a prosperous town with many wealthy families' mansions. Most famous are the architect Palladio's many buildings, but overall it's worth taking a walk in the city to enjoy the many architectural gems that are here. 68a. The Olympic Theater/Teatro Olimpico Piazza Matteotti 45°33'0"N 11°32'57"E The theater Teatro Olimpico is initially designed by Palladio, however it was one of his students who completed it after Palladio's death. Palladio drew the first lines in 1579, and the building was erected the following years. The name Teatro Olimpico alludes to the theater's objective of the performance of Greek plays. 67d. Prato della Valle/Prato della Valle Prato della Valle 45°23'53"N 11°52'36"E The square Prato della Valle is with its about nine hectares of significant size. It has the shape of an ellipse with a central park surrounded by water. Along the waterfront are 78 statues of famous citizens. The square was created in the 1700s by Andrea Memmo. 68b. Signori Square/Piazza dei Signori Piazza dei Signori 45°32'50"N 11°32'48"E Vicenza's center with Piazza dei Signori enjoys with its non trafficated squares and streets a special atmosphere. The dominant building, the Palazzo della Ragione, is also known as the city's basilica, and it is from 1549 and was built by the city's famous son Palladio. The sleek tower on the square, Torre di Piazza, is 82 meters high and built in 1311. 67e. Botanical Garden/Orto Botanico Via Orto Botanico www.ortobotanico.unipd.it 45°23'57"N 11°52'49"E Orto Botanico in Padua is the world's oldest botanical garden. It was established in 1545 as a vegetable garden for the city's university medical faculty. The garden covers today much more than herbs, and the beautiful place is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. 69. Verona/Verona Verona, 120 km W www.tourism.verona.it 45°26'29"N 11°0'1"E Station: Verona Verona was one of the Roman Empire's major cities, and it leaves its mark on the city. It was also here that 29 Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet took place, and this and much more can be experienced in the city center. Verona for tourists is a journey from ancient Rome's great buildings to monuments from the city's own golden age and the years of Venetian rule. 69f. Verona Cathedral/Cattedrale di Verona Piazza Duomo 45°26'50"N 10°59'49"E Verona's cathedral was built in the 1100s, however, its Gothic style is derived from later expansions. Notice the font that in year 1200 was carved from one piece of marble, and the mosaic floor in the adjoining cloister, dating from the 500s. 69a. The Old Castle/Castelvecchio Corso Castelvecchio 2 45°26'22"N 10°59'15"E Down to the Adige river lies Verona's ancient castle, Castelvecchio, which was built from 1355 to 1375. Both the castle, the bridge on the site and the remains of the old city walls are interesting, and there is also a seeworthy collection of paintings here. 69g. Pietra Bridge/Ponte della Pietra Ponte della Pietra 45°26'52"N 11°0'0"E Ponte della Pietra is an ancient Roman bridge that was built in the 2nd century. The beautiful bridge leads over the Adige river winding course. 69b. Verona Arena/Arena di Verona Piazza Bra www.arena.it 45°26'20"N 10°59'39"E Verona Arena was built in the 2nd century Roman Empire, and the size is second only to Rome's Colosseum. The arena is despite earthquakes and partial demolition so well kept that it is still used for performances of up to 22,000 spectators during the summers. 69h. Roman Theatre & Archaeological Museum/ Teatro Romano & Museo Archeologico Rigaste Redentore 2 45°26'50"N 11°0'6"E Rising above the the river Adige and the Ponte della Pietra lies Verona's Roman theater, which dates from around the year 0. The theater is still used, and both from here and from the even higher located archaeological museum the view to the river and the city is simply great. 69c. Erbe Square/Piazza della Erbe Piazza della Erbe 45°26'34"N 10°59'50"E Piazza della Erbeis the ancient Roman marketplace, and even today it is in the center of Verona's shopping streets. The whole square is built over many centuries, which can be seen at the various buildings. Maffei Palace/Palazzo Maffei from 1668 have interesting statues of gods, while Gardello Tower/Torre di Gardello was built in 1370. At the same time, the Virgin Mary Fountain/Fontane di Madonna was completed while the statue of St. Mark's lion, which is Venice's symbol, was inaugurated here in 1523. 69d. Signori Square/Piazza dei Signori Piazza del Signori 45°26'36"N 10°59'53"E Following the Piazza Erbe lies the elegant square, Piazza dei Signori, where there is a statue of Dante Aligheri. Right next to this is the tower Torre dei Lamberti, which is 84 meters high and offers visitors sweeping views of the center of Verona. 69e. Juliet’s House/Casa di Giulietta Via Cappello 27 45°26'31"N 10°59'55"E Have you seen Romeo & Juliet, you will recognize the scene from the courtyard at Juliet's house. The house with the famous balcony is located in Verona. The house itself, which you can visit, is from the 1200s. 30 Shopping in Venice With kids in Venice Shopping streets Mellem Piazza San Marco, Ponte di Rialto, Santa Lucia Merceria, Calle Larga XXII Marzo Frezzeria Mestre (rundt om Piazza Ferretto, Via Palazzo) Water park Auchan Via Don Tosatto 22, Mestre http://mestre.gallerieauchan.it Centro Le Barche Piazza XXVII Ottobre 1 Mestre Ipermercato Panorama Via Sertorio Orsato, Mestre www.e-panorama.it Seaside resort and activities Department stores and shopping malls Naval museum Natural history Seaside resort Water busses Beaches 31 Aqualandia Via Buonarroti 15, Jesolo www.aqualandia.it Museo Storico Navale Riva S. Biagio www.marina.difesa.it/venezia Jesolo Jesolo www.jesolo.it; www.jollyroger.it, www.playvillage.com Museo di Storia Naturale Calle Fontego dei Turchi www.msn.ve.it Sottomarina/Sottomarina Sottomarina Vaporetto Fx fra Ferrovia www.actv.it Venedig Lido/Lido di Venezia Lido di Venezia Facts about Italy Flag Highest mountains Height Name 4,808 m Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) 4,748 m Monte Bianco di Courmayeur 4,634 m Monte Rosa 4,609 m Punta Nordend 4,563 m Punta Zumstein Largest islands Area 25,460 km² 23,813 km² 224 km² 116 km² 83 km² General information Official name Italian Republic/Repubblica Italiana Capital Rome/Roma Political system Parliamentary republic National day 2 June (Festa della Repubblica) Anthem Il canto degli italiani Primary religion Christianity Language Italian Area 301,338 km² Population 57,110,114 (2001) Currency Euro (EUR) Time zone CET (UTC+1) www-domain .it Calling code +39 License plate I Longest rivers Length 749 km 652 km 410 km 406 km 313 km Largest lakes Area 370 km² 213 km² 146 km² 128 km² 114 km² Land and sea borders North Switzerland, Austria South Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea East Slovenia, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea West France, Mediterranean Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea Inner The Vatican, San Marino Name Sicily/Sicilia Sardinia/Sardegna Isola d’Elba Isola di Sant'Antioco Isola di Pantelleria Name Drava* Po Adige Tevere Adda *runs only partly in Italy Name Lago di Garda Lago Maggiore* Lago di Como Lago Trasimeno Lago di Bolsena Only partly located in Italy Largest cities/urban areas (2006) City Inhabitants city Rome 2,706,000 Milan 1,303,000 Naples 975,000 Turin 901,000 Palermo 667,000 Genua 616,000 Bologna 373,000 Florence 366,000 Bari 325,000 Catania 302,000 32 Inhabitants area 3,850,000 3,774,000 3,100,000 2,215,000 1,236,000 903,000 921,000 957,000 1,580,000 1,074,000 Administrative divisions Region Capital Abruzzo L’Aquila Apulia Bari Basilicata Potenza Calabria Catanzaro Campania Napoli Emilia-Romagna Bologna Friuli-VeneziaTrieste Giulia Lazio Roma Liguria Genova Lombardia Milano Marche Ancona Molise Campobasso Piemonte Torino Sardegna Cagliari Sicilia Palermo Toscana Firenze Trentino-Alto Trento Adige Umbria Perugia Valle d’Aosta Aosta Veneto Venezia Selected statesmen and politicians Name Title Vittorio King Emanuele III Umberto II King Benito Mussolini Prime minister, First Marshall, duce Area 10,794 km² 19,362 km² 9,992 km² 15,080 km² 13,595 km² 22,124 km² 7,855 km² Reign/in office 1900-1946 1946-1946 1922-1945 Holidays and memorial days Date Occasion 1 January New Years Day 6 January Epiphany Date varies Easter Date varies Easter Monday 25 April Liberation Day 1 May May Day 2 June Founding of the Republic 15 August Assumption of Mary 1 November All Saints Day 8 December Immaculate Conception 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Boxing Day 17,207 km² 5,421 km² 23,861 km² 9,694 km² 4,438 km² 25,399 km² 24,090 km² 25,708 km² 22,997 km² 13,607 km² 8,456 km² 3,263 km² 18,391 km² 33 Weather in Italy Climate Rome (source: worldclimate.com) Climate Venice (source: worldclimate.com) Month 24 hour average temperature (°C) Average rainfall (mm) Month 24 hour average temperature (°C) Average rainfall (mm) January 6.8 81 January 2.5 56 February 7.9 63 February 4.4 55 March 9.9 70 March 7.8 61 April 13.3 56 April 12.2 73 May 17.0 53 May 16.8 69 June 21.0 36 June 20.6 79 July 23.8 18 July 23.2 68 August 23.6 28 August 22.5 78 September 20.6 61 September 19.0 67 October 16.1 118 October 13.7 77 November 12.4 111 November 7.8 88 December 8.0 98 December 3.6 62 Climate Milan (source: worldclimate.com) Climate Genua (source: worldclimate.com) Month 24 hour average temperature (°C) Average rainfall (mm) Month 24 hour average temperature (°C) Average rainfall (mm) January 1.1 61 January 8.7 103 February 3.6 58 February 8.7 104 March 8.0 72 March 11.4 110 April 12.6 85 April 13.8 97 May 17.3 98 May 17.5 85 June 21.3 81 June 21.0 65 July 23.8 68 July 24.5 37 August 22.8 81 August 24.6 58 September 18.9 82 September 21.8 119 October 13.2 116 October 17.8 188 November 6.9 106 November 12.2 186 December 2.5 75 December 10.0 124 34 GUIDES All guide books are available free of charge for your smartphone, tablet, pc or printer at stigsguides.com. 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