The main attractions of Venice with addresses. Sights of Venice in Italy. Al Mercà Wine Bar
Venice is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places on the planet. With its ancient architecture, winding canals and unique way of life, this city attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. In addition, Venice is an important source of inspiration for photographers of all levels: from amateurs with built-in phone cameras to professionals with expensive equipment. This is not surprising, because anyone who has ever visited this Italian city, claims that every house, every canal, even every gondolier here is unique and endowed with a special charm. If you are going to tourist trip to Europe, don’t forget to take at least one day to visit Venice - you definitely won’t regret it. But since even a day is not enough to capture all the beauty of the city on the water, we offer 7 of the most interesting places, photos from which should definitely add to your family album.
St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
St. Mark's Square is located in the city center, next to the Doge's Palace and the famous bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica. There are always a lot of tourists on its territory, so if you are a lover of secluded places, then come at night or early in the morning - just take a few shots and go further to explore the city. One of the main features of the Square are pigeons. There are so many of them that there are legends around the city about the appearance of these birds in the very heart of Venice. They can also be captured as a keepsake. Among other things, St. Mark's Square was colorfully described in Dan Brown's novel “Inferno,” so all fans of his work will be interested in feeling like Professor Langdon and taking pictures in his image under the bright Venetian sun. There are many landmarks surrounding the square, so you can find a good backdrop for a photo no matter where you turn.
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Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Despite the fact that the Doge's Palace is located on the territory of St. Mark's Square, it deserves a separate story. From the end of the seventh to the end of the eighteenth century, the Doge was the elected ruler of the Venetian Republic. Accordingly, the palaces of the heads of state were the most luxurious in the country. The Supreme Councils met in this building and the secret police went about their business. Currently it serves as a museum. The palace is made in the Gothic style and is one of the main attractions of the city. Like all Gothic buildings, it is characterized by evenness and smoothness of lines, as well as many sculptures of different sizes in the exterior. The most interesting photographs are taken in the passages between the columns on the first and second floors, as well as in the small corridor in front of the entrance, if you stand on the side of the building. If you are interested in taking pictures of the palace itself, you can see many figures of angels, lions and other creatures.
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Sculpture “Hands” (“Support”) (Support by Lorenzo Quinn)
In 2017, the famous sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, working in the genre of contemporary art, presented to the world his new job, which he called “Support”. It represents two huge arms that rise from the Grand Canal and seem to support the building of the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel. The sculpture symbolizes the power of man, his ability to both create and destroy everything around him. The author calls on humanity to face the changing climate and create conditions so that Venice is not wiped off the face of the earth. Despite the importance of this work, it still remains an unusual and attractive manifestation of modern art, and taking a photograph with it is the duty of every tourist visiting the city of canals.
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Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)
The Bridge of Sighs was built in the Baroque style at the beginning of the 17th century. It connects the Doge's Palace, where trials take place, and the prison. The bridge got its name for a reason - it symbolizes the sad sighs of the prisoners who were transferred across this bridge to serve their sentences. According to legend, the convicts sighed sadly not only because they were to be separated from people for many years. Walking across the bridge, the prisoners saw for the last time the indescribable beauty of Venice, concentrated in this place, in the Palace Canal, and regretted that they would not be able to observe all the grandeur of the city from the small prison windows. The Bridge of Sighs is an integral part of the history of Venice, fits perfectly into its architectural style, and a photograph with it would look perfect in any family album! Photos are best taken standing on nearby bridges, with your face facing the landmark and your back to the photographer. Also a winning solution would be a photo from the gondola as it floats under the Bridge of Sighs.
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Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)
The Rialto Bridge is the first bridge built across the Grand Canal. The prototype of the structure was built in this place back in the 12th century, but the 1591 version has survived to this day. The bridge is located near the famous Rialto market, from which it takes its name. Mention of this building can be found in W. Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” and the computer game Assassin’s Creed II. True fans of medieval drama and adventure video games will not be able to deny themselves the pleasure of walking across this bridge and taking a photo or two. However, as practice shows, photographs on the bridge itself do not always turn out as spectacular as we would like. Therefore, we recommend that you book a tour of the canals or simply take a gondola ride and photograph the bridge or yourself in front of it from a distance.
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Island quarter of Burano
The Burano quarter seemed to have been built specifically for photo shoots. However, for this pleasure you will have to take a gondola ride about 7 kilometers to the islands, which will take about 40 minutes. Since ancient times, Burano was the habitat of men-fishermen and women who weave world-famous lace. However, these days the quarter is famous, among other things, for its colorful houses of two or three floors. It is about such buildings that they say: “It is better to see once than to hear a hundred times.” In addition, the quarter is interesting for its Church of San Martino and the sculpture of two lanterns. It will be especially convenient for girls to take a stunning photo here - you can always find a house that matches your look. A photograph from Burano will always delight the eye with its bright colors and positive mood.
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Island of San Giorgio Maggiore
Our list of interesting and vibrant places for photography in Venice concludes with the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. It was built during the Roman Empire, and today attracts many tourists from all over the world. Almost the entire island is occupied by the Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore, which houses Tintoretto’s famous “Last Supper.” However the best photos These places are obtained when the photographer is not on the island itself, but in the main part of the city. If you love city and seascapes, come here in the late afternoon. The best shots come when gondolas await their departure in the foreground, a gentle sunrise reflects in the calm water, and a magnificent cathedral can be seen in the distance. The focus can be either in the foreground or in the background; changing it only makes the photos more interesting. Mainland equipped with special wooden bridges that perfectly complement the composition of the frame (as in the third photo). This background is perfect for romantic photos.
The city of canals - Venice is unique not only in the history of its formation and development, but also in many interesting sights that tourists from all over the world strive to see. We have prepared an overview of the best and most interesting sights of Venice and a lot of interesting and useful information about them.
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After the occupation of the city by Napoleonic troops in 1807, the word “Royal” was added to its name, and it was moved to the buildings in which it is now located. art Gallery The Academy, as the richest museum collection of the best works of artists and sculptors of Venice of the past. The buildings of the former monastery and the church of Santa Maria themselves are masterpieces of architecture, so they are worthy of representing the famous paintings of Bellini, Titian, Veneziano and other brilliant masters. Address: Campo della Carita, 1050. Entry price: 9 euros, children under 18 years old - free.
Grand Canal
It just so happened in the fate of Venice that instead of streets it has canals along which graceful water vaporetto buses, famous gondolas and other vessels scurry back and forth, delivering tourists and residents to different points of the city. The Grand Canal is the main water street running through the whole of Venice (from the station to the confluence with the Giudecca and San Marco canals). The width of the main channel (from 30 to 70 m) allows you to move along it in different directions, and the length (3.8 km) is able to satisfy a wide range of tourist requests.
Sailing along the Grand Canal, you can see the most luxurious Venetian palaces, medieval churches and ancient mansions. They lined up a multi-colored wall of facades on both sides of the canal, evoking a feeling of a wonderful fairy tale, magical unreality and charm. 4 bridges, each of which is very beautiful, cross the canal: the Accademia, Scalzi and Rialto bridges. They provide passage from one bank of the canal to the other, where the berth stops are located. You can wait for the next vaporetto or gondola there, or purchase a ticket at the ticket booth. A trip along the Grand Canal – unforgettable journey to the world of beauty!
Doge's Palace
This monumental, majestic building is not only an undoubted architectural masterpiece, but also a historical monument of Venice. Conceived as the residence of the doges (supreme rulers of a mini-state), the palace was first built on the remains of ancient Roman walls. After the fire at the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century. a new U-shaped building was erected, preserving its original appearance, but more luxurious and rich, made of white, gray and pink marble. A quick glance at all 3 facades is enough to determine that the palace is real architectural masterpiece, the embodiment of the boundless labor and talent of master stonemasons and architects. Arched vaults, figured spiers, sculptures, balcony railings - everything is done with filigree grace.
Above the front gate (Porta della Carta - Paper Gate) rises a sculptural image of a winged lion and a kneeling Doge Foscari. The interiors amaze with majestic statues, massive marble stairs, luxurious finishing of walls and ceilings. It's worth visiting to appreciate the grandeur of Venice's past. Address: pl. St. Mark, 1.
How to get there: Vaporetto “S Zaccaria”
Open to the public: every day in summer, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; in winter: from 09.00 to 17.00. The ticket office closes 1 hour earlier. Price per visit – 20 euros.
Ca'd'Oro Palace
The name of this palace - the height of grace and beauty - is translated as “golden house” for the use of gold leaf in its decoration. Although it has not survived, the name is firmly established as a symbol of the unusually beautiful appearance of the Gothic building. It’s as if white openwork lace covers the central part of the facade: it is created by graceful columns with diamond-shaped weaves at the top, cross-shaped spiers on the roof attic, and stucco patterns.
The palace, officially named after St. Sophia, has rich history, associated with many noble families of Venice and the miracle architects Bona brothers. The owners of the palace changed periodically, and in 1894 it became Baron Franchetti, a fine connoisseur of art, who collected a large collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, porcelain and antique furniture. He put a lot of effort into recreating the former appearance of the Golden House. Now it houses the Franchetti art gallery, eagerly visited by tourists who are attracted by the irresistibly beautiful view of the palace. Address: Cannaregio, 3932, opposite the Rialto fish market. Ticket price: 6.5 euros.
Bridge of Sighs
The Venetian Bridge of Sighs has brothers by name in other cities of the world, but only here it initially had a not very pleasant purpose. It connected the Doge's Palace, where justice was administered, with the prison building located on the opposite side. Those going to the prison cells sighed painfully, imagining their sad fate - hence the name. The building was made covered to prevent the possibility of prisoners escaping.
Externally, the bridge, made in the Baroque style of white marble, is very beautiful and elegant; the luxurious stucco ornament gives it a poetically sublime appearance. The Bridge of Sighs is associated with legends about Casanova, who also walked across the bridge and became the only one who managed to escape from prison. It was Byron who was rumored to have expressed his opinion on the name. But the residents of Venice themselves are opponents of this interpretation, so they came up with their own legend: in order to cement the feelings of lovers forever, they need to sail under the bridge at sunset in a gondola and kiss. People always want to believe in good things - whole lines of gondolas with couples line up near the bridge at sunset.
Rialto Bridge
Venice is called not only the “city of canals”, but also “bridges”, because it has almost 400 such structures. Most ancient history Of these, there is the Rialto Bridge, which was built back in 1281 from wood instead of a pontoon crossing. However, the first structure did not last long, like the other wooden bridges that replaced it, until the decision was made to build a stone bridge in the mid-16th century.
The magnificent project presented by the architect de Ponte was approved, and in 1591 a grandiose structure stood on 12 thousand piles. The newly built bridge outwardly resembled the very first one - Ponta della Moneta, but they called it “Rialto” by analogy with the nearest market. The stone “Rialto” became a super-reliable crossing across the canal and a place of brisk trade, where many merchant shops were located along its 48 m length. Nowadays there are still shops and souvenir shops here, tourists love to visit. Venetians honor the unique calling card of the city and the ancient monument that is the Rialto Bridge.
St. Mark's Square
The main square of Venice includes 3 parts: the square itself and 2 platforms - Piazzetta San Marco (from the Grand Canal to the Bell Tower) and Piazzetta Leoncini (from the side of the church of the same name and the Patriarchal Palace). This favorite place residents of Venice, surrounded by buildings of stunning beauty, filled with pigeons, has repeatedly served as an arena for filming artistic and documentaries. The history of the ancient square, like the Cathedral of San Marco, is associated with the legends of St. Mark. There is a majestic bell tower built in the 9th century. It is visible from all sides because its height is more than 98 m (the highest among the bell towers in Italy). A visit to the square is a fascinating excursion into the past, contemplating the beauty and grace of unique architectural monuments, the main one of which is the amazing Doge's Palace. The square is always full of people walking along it, looking at the facades of buildings, feeding pigeons.
Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute
The appearance of this beautiful church was preceded by a tragic page in the history of Venice - the severe plague epidemic of 1631-32, when thousands of residents died. The city authorities, calling on the Holy Mother of God in their prayers for the salvation of the townspeople, promised to erect a church if the plague went away. By a happy coincidence, the epidemic soon stopped, and the city Senate allocated funds for the construction of a cathedral in honor of the savior of the people - the Virgin Mary. The church was founded in 1631 according to the design of the young extraordinary architect Longhen, and almost 50 years later a temple of divine beauty arose on the islet of Dorsoduro, near the main canal of Venice.
The masterpiece of architecture is a round octagon of the Baroque style, lavishly decorated with elegant sculptures, openwork stucco patterns and many other decorative elements. The hemispherical central dome with a columnar spire crowning it rests on a drum with large arched windows. The smaller dome is installed a little further, next to the bell towers. Luxurious interior decoration can compete in beauty and wealth with the most famous temples peace.
Address: Dorsoduro, 30123. Open: every day, 09.00 - 12.00, 15.00 - 17.00; 12.00 – 15.00 – break. Entry is free.
St. Mark's Cathedral
The majestic temple is a place of tourist pilgrimage, famous not only for its magnificent architectural appearance, but also as the location of the ashes of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. According to legend, an angel appeared to the saint in a dream and prophesied that it was near Rialto Island that his ashes would rest. The relics of the saint, stolen in Alexandria, were taken to Venice and buried in the chapel, on the site of which the Doge's court cathedral later rose, which later became the Cathedral (1807).
The current cathedral building was completed on the site of the previous one in 1063, taking the Constantinople Church of the 12 Apostles as a basis. But after that, it was completed many times, and as a result, the appearance of the cathedral reflected a mixture of architectural styles from Gothic to Oriental. The five-domed roof is made in the form of a Greek cross, five entrances with high arches are decorated with openwork columns in the Byzantine spirit. There are sculptures of saints in the arches, and beautiful mosaic panels are placed on the facade. The interior dazzling with gold and bright colors.
Address: pl. St. Mark. Cathedral opened: Apr. – November – daily, 09.45 – 17.00; Sun and holidays – from 14.00 to 16.00. Entry is free.
The museum is open: every day, 09.45 – 16.45; entrance – 5 euros.
Bell tower: November – Apr. – 09.30 – 15.45; May – June, October: from 09.00 to 19.00; July – September, from 09.00 to 21.00. Entrance – 8 euros.
Burano Island
Burano is a fishing island located 7 km from the center of Venice, famous for its colorful house facades. Coming here, you find yourself in a colorful fairy tale, like in a children's cartoon, where each house is painted in its own, non-repeating color. Reflected in the water of the canal, the houses create a truly fantastic kaleidoscope picture. Blue, orange, hot pink, turquoise, brown tones paint a joyful landscape. Opposite almost every house there is the same “cheerful” boat - individual transport for the residents of this amazing microdistrict.
The famous craft here was once the masterly weaving of openwork lace, the beauty and grace of which allowed it to be called Venetian lace, known throughout the world. But now authentic products can only be seen in the Lace Museum: over time, the skill of lacemakers has sunk into oblivion. When tourists are on the island, they go to the local pasticheria (bakery), where they buy delicious shortcrust pastry cookies - buranelli. Vaporetto lines N 41, N 42 and 52 leave for Burano every 2 hours.
Address: Calle Capele, 30142.
Museum open: daily except Tuesday: Apr. – Sep. – from 10.00 to 17.00; Oct. – March: 10.00 – 16.00.
Entrance – 4 euros, round trip vaporetto fare – 7 euros. The ticket is valid for 1 hour.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
The basilica is an unusual Franciscan religious complex. Over the centuries, the Basilica has collected important and very valuable works, thanks to which you can take a journey through the history of art in Venice from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Among the many masterpieces preserved here, the Assunta stands out - famous work Titian, as well as the famous “Madonna of Pesaro”, located in the family chapel of Pesaro.
In the sacristy is Bellini's Madonna and Child Triptych. Magnificent wooden choirs, numerous grave monuments of famous figures of the city, an extraordinary collection of Venetian sculptures are the absolute masterpieces of the Church of the Frari. It also houses the only Venetian wooden statue Saint John the Baptist by Donatello.
Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 to 18. Sunday and holidays from 13 to 18.
The cost is 3 euros.
Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore
It stands on its own island and is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. It is one of the largest churches in the city with an impressive view of St. Mark's Square. The facade is made in a classical style with marble columns on a high pedestal. On the dome is a 3.85 meter high statue of St. George, which is covered with about 560 copper plates. This is the first time in Venice that a sculpture has been installed on top of a dome instead of the traditional cross.
The interior conveys a sense of spatial grandeur. This Benedictine church has a wonderful collection of paintings. Among them are such valuable works as Tintoretto: “The Last Supper” and “Manna from Heaven” and “The Adoration of the Shepherds” by Bassano. Currently, Benedictine monks live in the Basilica. To enjoy the panoramic view you need to take the elevator up to the bell tower.
Open: from April to October every day from 9-00 to 19-00.
From November to March every day from 8-30 to 18-00.
A ticket to the bell tower costs 3 euros.
Palace Ca' Rezzonico
Situated on Grand Canal. It is a typical eighteenth-century Venetian aristocratic building. It houses a precious collection of Venetian furniture and paintings from the 18th century. Of particular interest are the rooms with luxurious frescoes by Tiepolo, Guarana and Guardi. The Egidio Martini Picture Gallery, with almost 300 works, includes paintings from the Venetian school.
Opening hours: from November 1 to March 31, 10.00-17.00; from April 1 to October 31 10.00-18.00. The ticket office closes one hour before the visit. Closed on Tuesdays, December 25, January 1, May 1.
Cost - 10 euros, 7.50 euros - children aged 6 to 14 years, students aged 15 to 29 years.
Teatro La Fenice
The Grand Theater of La Fenice, located in the San Marco area of San Fantine, is today the main opera house in Venice. Twice destroyed and rebuilt, it was home to important opera seasons, symphony seasons and the International Festival of Contemporary Music. In the nineteenth century it was the site of numerous premieres of works by Rossini, Bellini, and Verdi. In the twentieth century, much attention was paid to modern art. World premieres by Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Sergei Prokofiev, and Bruno Maderna took place here.
After several fires, in 2001 the craftsmen managed to recreate the atmosphere of the old theater. La Fenice was rebuilt in 19th century style. Decorations made of gold and plush, exquisite plaster and stucco make the interior of the theater irresistible. It was equipped with additional rehearsal areas with modern technology, the number seats increased from 840 to 1000. Excellent acoustics, orchestra and choir. And now the theater is a center of paramount importance, with more than a hundred opera performances a year, ballet performances and chamber music concerts.
Open to the public every day from 9:30 to 18:00.
Full price 10 euros. For students under 26 and visitors over 65 years old the price is 7 euros
Free entry for children under 6 years old.
The ticket price includes an audio guide, available in 5 languages: Italian, English, German, French and Spanish.
Gondola - the symbol of Venice
Venice is a unique city, there is nothing like it in the world. This is an axiom. You can safely devote your entire life to understanding Venice. This city manages to become different every second. The play of nuances happens here all the time.
Someone comes literally for a day or two, and he really wants to capture this visit in his memory for a long time. But Venice is such a city that, once it has penetrated you, it will not let you go. Therefore, a short visit to the capital of the Adriatic needs to be carefully structured in order to try to get the most complete impression of this city as possible.
I have put together a kind of TOP - 10 places in Venice that are a must-visit in order to get to know this city more deeply. Read more about these attractions in our guide. Here I will try to briefly talk about the main, in my opinion, places in Venice in order to help you see as many faces of this city as possible. multifaceted city. So…
1. Piazza San Marco complex
The complex of St. Mark's Square is the ceremonial face of Venice.
The same face that she has shown to the world for centuries. Piazza San Marco is rightly called the “heart of Venice”. The largest square in Venice contains the main “calling cards” of the city: St. Mark’s Cathedral, the bell tower, the Clock Tower, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, the Correr Museum, the Florian cafe, and the buildings of the Old and New Procurations.
Cathedral of San Marco- a symbol of the greatness of Venice, its wealth, art and long history - full of wonders: mosaic ceilings, Golden Altar, marble floor, museum and treasury.
WITH bell tower of San Marco offers a breathtaking view of the city. Clock tower- a masterpiece of engineering and architectural art of the 15th century. Doge's Palace today it is a grandiose museum of Venetian fine and applied arts, a museum of the history of the Most Serene Republic. From one of the halls you Bridge of Sighs walk into the prison building and understand why the bridge is called that.
Correr Museum will tell and show the history of Venice through objects, documents, furniture, costumes, engravings, paintings, sculptures.
In the oldest in Italy cafe "Florian" you can have a cup of coffee while listening live music and enjoying the atmosphere of “the most exquisite salon in Europe” - that’s what Napoleon called this square.
2. Rialto Bridge
View of the Rialto Bridge from the canal
The Rialto Bridge is not easy business card Venice is the embodiment of its essence: the fusion of art, politics and commerce.
The Rialto Bridge and the adjacent market square have always been the busiest place in Venice. If Piazza San Marco is the respectable living room of this city, then the Rialto is its kitchen, workshop and office all at once. Here trade affairs were carried out, deals were concluded, the most important news was announced, and the fate of the world was decided.
The bridge connects two completely different areas in spirit - San Polo And San Marco.
Today, the Rialto Bridge is full of people from morning to night: for citizens it is an opportunity to quickly get from one part of the city to another, for tourists it is a commercial expanse. There are many souvenir, jewelry and leather goods shops right on the bridge and on both sides of it. Near the bridge there is the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto (it is considered the most old church in Venice), Campo San Giacomo with a marble figure of a hunchback holding a pedestal for heralds on his shoulders, the Rialto market and access to the Canal Grande embankment.
3. Academy Gallery
Academy Gallery fine arts- the most important of the Venetian art museums, one of the most famous museums peace.
It is included in the TOP of the best galleries along with the Louvre, Prato, and the Uffizi Gallery. Almost all Venetian painting from the 13th to the 18th centuries is collected here. Through the Gallery's collection one can trace the history of the development and formation of the Venetian school of painting.
The list of artists' names is far from complete: Titian, Carpaccio, Bellini, Veronese, Tintoretto, Vivarini - attracts many lovers and connoisseurs of art and history to the Gallery's halls. Walking through the halls of the Gallery, you can feel the soul of Venice.
4. San Zaccaria
San Zaccaria among the city's rooftops The Church of San Zaccaria is very ancient.
It was founded in the 9th century to repose the relics of St. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist. It was completed and rebuilt several times, so today we see a Gothic façade with Renaissance decoration.
Inside, the church resembles an art museum: the paintings on the walls hang so close to each other that it seems as if the walls are replacing the paintings.
The sacristy and chapels also contain many masterpieces: a collection of paintings, the Golden Altar and a half-submerged crypt with the sarcophagi of the Doges, who ruled Venice in the 9th-12th centuries.
San Zaccaria located in the very center of Venice, but the square in front of the church is quiet and full of decorum. The collection of paintings by artists, including Tintoretto, Palma the Elder and Palma the Younger, Bellini, together with the holiness of the place, will cleanse the heart and soul.
5. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
A fragment of Titian’s masterpiece “The Assumption of the Virgin Mary” (“Assunta”), located in the altar part of the temple
The name of this church is translated as “Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary among the Brethren.” In Venice they call it briefly - Frari.
This is one of the largest and most important churches in Venice. A Gothic building, a rarity for this city, dominates the quiet Campo dei Frari. There was once a Franciscan monastery here; the church, founded in the 13th century, was expanded several times as the number of Franciscan parishioners grew. But the silence and reverence of this place have apparently remained since then. Maybe because Frari is a kind of necropolis.
Today in the church you can see many beautiful sarcophagi and tombstones of noble citizens, some doges.
Almost next to the entrance is the tombstone of Antonio Canova, the famous Italian sculptor. In addition to paintings by Bellini, Titian and other great painters, in this church you can see an amazingly crafted choir, decorated with bas-reliefs and equipped with carved seats for the church choir singers.
6. Scuola Grande San Rocco
Venetian scuoli is a topic little studied even by Venetian historians.
It is known that these were fraternities, and not schools (as one might think, judging by the name), but the fraternities were not religious, but communities of interests, beliefs and passions. Something between a club, a medieval workshop and public organization. Their creation began in the 11th century. They all had their own buildings, and the best artists were invited to decorate them.
There were about 400 scuola in Venice, but now there are only 4 left.
One of the most famous of the remaining scuola is considered to be the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
For visitors to the city, this Scuola is interesting because today it is a museum of the works of one artist. Several of its large halls are decorated with works by the famous Tintoretto, which won the competition announced by Scuola for the decoration of its halls. Instead of sketches, the artist brought a finished painting, thereby outwitting both his rivals and the jury.
60 paintings by the frantic Tintoretto decorate not only the walls, but also the ceilings of Scuola.
This is the largest collection of the artist's works in the world. In addition to Tintoretto’s works, here you can see paintings by Titian, Giorgione, Tiepolo and other masters, and admire Scarpagnino’s amazing interiors and staircase.
On the islands near Venice You need to go to this island, no matter what anyone tells you.
It’s not close to sailing to it - about 40 minutes by vaporetto, but when you know where you’re sailing and what you’ll find there, the long journey is completely justified. It helps to collect thoughts and move away from the noise and diversity of the central Venetian streets. Because Torcello is the place “where the Venetian land came from.”
The first city in the lagoon arose here; the residence of the bishop was located on Torcello. Trade life was noisy and vibrant here. For seven centuries Torcello ruled these waters. Since the 12th century, everything has changed: the waters silted up and turned into a swamp, people dismantled their palaces and houses, and moved to the islands of present-day Venice.
The main attractions on Torcello today: the Devil's Bridge of the 15th century, two small palazzos housing the Torcello Museum, two ancient churches - Santa Fosca of the 12th century and Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 7th-9th centuries. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta has a grandiose mosaic wall. You won't find one like this in Venice. From the church bell tower you will have breathtaking views of the lagoon. And all around is an ancient, wise silence, for which you need to come here.
8. Zanipolo
This grandiose structure has been towering over the small square of the same name since the 15th century, although the temple was founded two centuries earlier.
It is interesting because over time it became something of a Venetian pantheon. Within the walls of the cathedral, 18 Venetian doges and many famous figures of the Most Serene Republic found rest.
The tombs are made with great skill.
It is often hard to believe that everything is made of stone and that it was created. by human hands. The stained glass windows in the apse of the cathedral are beautiful. Among the paintings decorating the chapels are works by Giovanni Bellini, Giacomo Palma the Younger, Giuseppe Salviati, Titian and others. The chapel of the Virgin Mary of the Rosary is amazing: the gilded ceiling, carved wooden panels on the walls, paintings by Veronese, Titian, Bellini create, despite the luxury of the decoration, a feeling of peace and spiritual harmony.
In general, the cathedral is stunning and even somewhat overwhelming with its grandeur and collection of masterpieces of sculpture and painting.
This article will guide you through the most interesting attractions in Venice, listing some popular Venetian monuments. Each place is described in detail in a separate article and marked on the map. Venice is not called the most romantic city in the world for nothing, a city of bridges, canals and magnificent ancient architecture. It is also one of the most visited cities in the world by tourists. Unfortunately, due to too many tourists and frequent floods, many historical monuments are in danger of destruction, which is why recently the option of closing access to most tourists has even been discussed. So, perhaps you have a few more years to visit the city of love, but this selection will help you get your bearings and create a route.
When the city is so full interesting places And historical monuments— it’s difficult to decide where to start the inspection. Perhaps it's best to just get lost for a few hours, wandering its charming little streets and passages, strolling along its canals, and finding its secret nooks and crannies. At every step you will find something interesting. At the same time, you can always easily find your way back to St. Mark's Square and the Main Canal. Most of Venice's best attractions are centered around these two landmarks. In addition, you can always go on an excursion to the nearby islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello.
1. Piazza San Marco
Let's start with one of the most recognizable landmarks of Venice - San Marco. St. Mark's Square is probably the most famous place in the city. Since the medieval period, the piazza has always been considered the center of Venice and has been the location of all important offices of the Venetian state and the archbishop since the 19th century. Many Venetian festivals also take place here.
This is the place where the most outstanding sights of Venice are concentrated. The vast space of Venice's largest square is striking in the graceful uniformity of its architecture. But it is not only architectural elegance that makes Piazza San Marco so famous. This is a real living room of Venice - a place where all tourists gather, stroll, drink coffee, take photographs, meet friends and guides. The galleries on three sides of the square contain fashionable shops and even more fashionable cafes. And on its open side is the majestic Basilica of St. Mark, from the bell tower of which you can best view the entire square. 
2. Academy Gallery
The Accademia Gallery is the most famous art museum in Venice. It houses one of the largest collections in the world, which includes works by Venetian artists painting before the 18th century. The collection is organized chronologically, but there are also thematic shows. The Academy was founded in 1784 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo. The Academy Museum is located on the Grand Canal of Venice. This contains the most rich collection Venetian art objects from the 15th to 18th centuries. Much of the collection was collected from monasteries and churches, as well as from the palaces of noble families, and is now presented to the public in the former Monastery of Santa Maria Della Carita. Some galleries feature Venetian Gothic art, including the famous 15th-century gilded ceilings. The works are arranged chronologically, so you can not only trace the development of styles, but also compare the works of contemporaries.
3. Correr Museum in Venice
This building was built between 1806-1814 during the Napoleonic era, when Venice was part of the Kingdom of Italy (1806-1814) and Napoleon's stepson, Eugene de Beauharnais, was viceroy. Venetian painter Giuseppe Borsato worked on the decoration of the interiors, reproducing a very careful interpretation of the Empire style. The Correr Museum takes its name from Teodoro Correr (1750-1830), an art collector who was a member of an old family of the Venetian aristocracy.
4. Rialto Bridge
In the list of recognizable sights of Venice, the Rialto Bridge occupied one of the leading places. Ponte di Rialto is considered one of the most visited corners of the city on the water. This is the most old bridge through the Grand Canal, the main transport artery of the city. During the rapid development of Venice, there were no bridges between the two sides of the canal, which was a big problem. There are few of these bridges even now, Rialto is one of four of them. Once the only bridge over the Grand Canal, the Rialto was built in 1588, approximately 150 years after the collapse of the previous wooden bridge. Today it is a favorite vantage point for tourists to take photos in front of the canal and the hundreds of gondolas that ply along it. The Church of San Bartolomeo next to the bridge belonged to German traders who lived and worked on the German Commodity Exchange. It contains a superb altarpiece of the Martyr San Bartolomeo. The Rialto Bridge is one of the most recognizable not only in Venice, but throughout Italy.
5. Ca' d'Oro, or Santa Sofia Palace
Ca' d'Oro (Palazzo Santa Sofia) is one of the oldest and most beautiful palaces on the Grand Canal in Venice. It is known as the Golden House because of the gold and chrome exterior decoration that once adorned its walls. The palazzo was built between 1428 and 1430 for the Contarini family, from which came eight Venetian Doges between 1043 and 1676. The fine filigree work of Bartolomeo Bona is reminiscent of marble lace. It is very difficult to believe that all this beauty is carved from stone. Together with the Porta Della Carta in the Palazzo Ducale, also designed by Bartolomeo Bon, Ca' d'Oro is considered the most perfect example of the Venetian Gothic style. You can also admire the interior of the palace, as it now houses an art museum dedicated to the life of wealthy Venetians in the 15th and the 16th centuries. The palace's curator Baron Giorgio Franchetti donated his art collection to the museum in 1922, with works by Titian, Mantegna, Van Dyck, Tullio Lombardo and Bernini.
6. Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute
A very famous religious landmark of Venice, Santa Maria della Salute has a very interesting story. In the first half of the 17th century, a terrible plague broke out in Northern Italy. The Doge of Venice decided to take preventive measures to stop the infection. But all efforts were in vain, and the disease spread throughout the city. In a very short period of time, despite the restrictions imposed by the authorities, a significant part of the population was decimated. The Doge and most of his family were killed. The failure of medicine forced the government and people to turn to religion for salvation.
A procession was organized in which all 10,000 survivors participated. They walked constantly around St. Mark's Square for three days and nights, reciting prayers. It was decided that if the city escaped complete devastation, they would build a temple of such size and beauty that the world had never seen. The disease receded, and the residents decided to fulfill their promise - this is how the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute appeared.
7. Teatro la Fenice
Teatro La Fenice was planned from the very beginning as the official theater of the Venetian aristocracy. Its construction was entrusted to the architect Gianantonino Silva and it was completed with exemplary speed in April 1792.
8. Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Contarini del Bovolo is a small palace in Venice. It is hidden in a small alley known as Calle della Vida and belongs to the Contarini family. The original structure was designed by Giovanni Candi in 1499. The main attraction of this palace is the graceful spiral staircase with many arches. The family hired a second architect, Giorgio Spavento, to add this staircase to the original structure.
9. Venetian Arsenal
The Venetian Arsenal (Arsenale di Venezia) is one of the most important places in Venice. This shipyard and naval depot played a leading role in the prosperous Venetian Empire. According to myth, since the 8th century Venice had shipyards that were scattered throughout the city. But at the beginning of the 12th century these shipyards were considered unsafe, and in 1104 construction began on a centralized Arsenal structure. The Old Arsenal was built between 1100 and 1300, and the new complex between 1300 and 1400, while the Newest Arsenal was built between 1473 and 1573. The Arsenal is a shipyard of the Venetian Republic, the largest and busiest in the world until the end of the 17th century. Since its founding in 1104 it has continually expanded, and at its height it employed 16,000 workers. The arsenal was carefully guarded to keep secret logistics and shipbuilding techniques secret. Impressive entrance to the shipyard - Triumphal Arch Renaissance style with lion statues from Greece. This is one of the main maritime attractions of Venice. Adjacent to the shipyard, the Museum of Naval History displays impressive spoils from the Republic's many naval wars, along with fascinating collections of paintings. These captivating images are interesting for their descriptions of marine life and their elegant style.
10. Fondaco dei Turchi
Let's finish our review of ten popular attractions in Venice with the Fondaco dei Turchi Palace. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city. At the beginning of the thirteenth century, Giacomo Palmieri, a wealthy nobleman of Pesaro sought refuge in Venice. In 1225 he built this palace for his personal use. In 1381 the Republic of Venice took over control and used the palace as the court of the Duke of Ferrara, Nicholas II.
11. Basilica of St. Brand
The most famous church in Venice and one of the most recognizable in the world is the Basilica of St. Brand. It is decorated with Byzantine masterpieces brought here as trophies after the fall of Constantinople. Gold-covered mosaic images above the doorways of the facade only hint at the mosaic artistry inside, where walls and domes are covered with 4,240 square meters of gold mosaics. The distinctly Byzantine tone of the interior mixes with treasures from other periods, including later mosaics by Titian and Tintoretto. You will meet these names all over the city. The magnificent golden altarpiece of the Pala D'Oro is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It was created in the early 12th century and several centuries later is decorated with almost 2,000 precious stones. If you can take your eyes off this magnificence, pay attention to the mosaic domes, many richly decorated altars and marble floors, as well as golden tombs in the Treasury. 
12. Palazzo Ducale and Bridge of Sighs
All tourists arriving in Venice walk along the shore under the facade of this extraordinary palace, impressed by its size and grace of architecture. This impression is further enhanced when you find yourself inside the palace, passing through the massive Porta della Carta with its majestic Gothic architecture. Even jaded 21st century travelers are delighted by the magnificence of the palace and its artistic decoration. Here you can see the works of all the Venetian greats, including Tintoretto and his Paradise - the largest painting in the world. A private tour across the Bridge of Sighs will take you to the dark cells of Piombi, the prison from which Casanova made his famous escape. 
13. Grand Canal
The Grand Canal passes through Venice in the shape of a giant letter S. It is the main transport artery of the city, connecting St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge and Train Station, where trains from the mainland arrive. Only four bridges cross the 3.8 kilometer long canal, and numerous traghetti gondolas carry numerous tourists. The Grand Canal was the preferred residence for all influential residents of Venice. The palaces of all the leading families were built overlooking the canal - their spectacular Venetian Gothic and early Renaissance facades face the water. These palaces are very well preserved to this day, and during a tour along the canal you will have a great view of all the sights of Venice. 
14. Scuola San Rocco
Scuola San Rocco is not often included in lists of popular attractions in Venice, but it is definitely worth a look. This impressive white marble building was created between 1515 and 1560 to house the San Rocco Benevolent Society. Shortly after its completion, the great 16th-century Venetian artist Tintoretto won a competition to decorate the building's interiors. He decorated the walls and ceilings of the Scuola San Rocco with a cycle of paintings that were recognized as the artist's most outstanding masterpieces. The earliest works are in the Albergo Sala and date from 1564. The most prominent of them is the Crucifixion. The Upper Hall depicts New Testament scenes painted between 1575 and 1581. The lighting here is not ideal, but you can still appreciate Tintoretto's innovation in the use of light and color. More works by Tintoretto are in the altar of the adjacent church of San Rocco. 
15. Murano Island
No Venice sightseeing trip would be complete without a vaporetto ride across the lagoon to Murano, home of Venice's legendary glassblowers. They were sent here in the 13th century to reduce the risk of fire in the densely populated center of Venice caused by glass furnaces. The move to Murano was also intended to help preserve the secrets of glassblowing in the Venetian monopoly. A decree of 1454 stated: “If a glassblower goes with his skill to another country to the detriment of the republic, then he will have to return; his closest relatives should be thrown into prison to force him to return; if he refuses to obey, he will be overtaken at any time.” country and punished." It was much easier to track glassblowers if they were confined to an island. Today, on both sides of the canal there are showrooms and glassblowing studios. Here you can find absolutely everything - from cheap imported trinkets to exquisite works of art. The 17th-century Palazzo Giustinian houses the Glass Museum, with one of the largest and most valuable collections of Venetian glass from the time of the Romans to the 20th century. If you are thinking about how to spend time in Venice, without any doubt, put the island of Murano on your list. 
16. Palazzo Rezzonico
Just as the Ca'd'Oro allows you to experience life in the late Middle Ages, Palazzo Rezzonico gives a vivid insight into life in the Baroque and Rococo periods of the 18th century. Designed by Venice's leading authority on Baroque architecture Baldassare Longhena, the palace took almost 100 years to complete later, in 1750. Particularly noteworthy is its interior decoration, with silk wallpaper, fine details and Flemish tapestries. The set of costumes highlights the importance of silk production in Venice, which rivaled Lyon in France. The museum demonstrates the importance of luxury goods to the 18th-century Venetian economy. when brocade decorated with gold and silver was produced here, distributed throughout Europe and the New World. 
17. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
This Gothic church was founded by the Franciscans around 1340 and completed in the mid-15th century. Its impressive 14th-century bell tower is the second tallest in Venice. Although the interior has the characteristic simplicity of Franciscan churches, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari contains many artistic treasures. In the right transept stands an important wooden statue of St John the Baptist, created by the Florentine sculptor Donatello in 1451. The Choir of Monks is an outstanding example of Marco Cozzi's wood carvings, with reliefs of saints and Venetian scenes. Titian's mausoleum in the south aisle was a gift from Ferdinand I of Austria when he was King of the Lombardy Veneto. The pyramidal mausoleum in the north aisle was made by students of the sculptor Antonio Canova, as was big monument Titian is the opposite. This is one of the underrated attractions of Venice, which many undeservedly deprive of attention. 
18. Torcello Island
The history of Venice began on the island of Torcello as early as the seventh century, and by the 12th century it was a thriving commercial city. You can get an idea of the importance of Torcello by visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 639. It is considered the best surviving example of Venetian-Byzantine architecture. The cathedral was restored in 834 and 1008, and the portico and two side apses were added in the ninth century. Many outstanding mosaics remain inside. The oldest of them are in the chapel to the right of the high altar. The western wall is covered with Byzantine mosaics depicting the Last Judgment, created in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Adjacent to the cathedral is the small church of Santa Fosca, a pure Byzantine plan with a characteristic portico. Your admission ticket includes entry to a small interesting historical Museum with artifacts from antiquity to the 16th century. 
19. Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
It is not surprising that among the attractions of Venice there are most churches and cathedrals. After the vast splendor of St. Marka, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli gives a real breath of freshness. This is a true masterpiece of Early Renaissance architecture created by Pietro Lombardo. Unlike other churches in Venice, whose facades are decorated with frescoes and statues, Lombardo used painstakingly painted marble with subtle patterns of circles, octagons and crosses on the façade. This technique continues inside, enhancing the effect of the golden domed ceiling above the gray and coral marble walls. The nave is separated from the altar by an elegant early Renaissance balustrade decorated with figures. It is not surprising that this is a favorite place for wedding ceremonies among Venetians, as the interior of the church is one of the most beautiful in the city. 
20. Lido Island
A long 12-kilometer strip of sand separates the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. She is considered the first real seaside resort Europe from its heyday to the end of the 20th century. This place was very popular among European nobility and celebrities. Enjoy today sandy beaches and luxury hotels can be enjoyed by anyone. Public beaches are located at the northern end of the Lido island, near the Church of San Nicolo. You can explore the Lido on foot, or rent a bike near the pier. The island is filled with Art Nouveau villas and hotels, which can be explored while strolling along the many alleys. The Palazzo del Cinema hosts the International Film Festival in August and September. 