The Palazzo Ducale of Venice: Residence of the Doges and prision for Casanova

Initially built as a fortified castle in the IX century, it was transformed under the Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172-1178) into the residence of the Doges, also the Minor and Major Councils and some offices of the magistracy. Destroyed by fire the palace was rebuilt in the external part in the XIV and XV centuries. The designers broke with tradition, laying the whole palace in Verona marble on arches in Istrian stone.

The Bell Tower, the unforgettable shape of Venice's St. Marks Square

It rises alone to a height of 96 metres. It was rebuilt in 1912 after its sudden collapse on the morning of the 14 July 1902. At the base of the bell-tower is the marble Loggetta, the splendid work of Jacopo Sansovino (1540), decorated with bronzes. It was the meeting place for noblemen in ancient times.

St. Mark's Square, the only square in Venice called square and the largest in the city

Defined by Napoleon as "the most elegant salon in Europe", in piazza San Marco have taken place: processions, political movements and Carnival parades. The tourists have always come to see two of the most important historic attractions: the The Basilica of St. Mark's and Palazzo Ducale.

The most famous church in Venice, the Basilica of St. Mark's, the place where the Doges, once elected, were presented to the Venetians

The main city church, it was built in the IX century to lay to rest the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist. It was restructured and added to many times but maintained its characteristic profile of a Byzantine church. The ceilings and the cupolas are decorated with mosaics on a gold background which date back to the XII-XIV centuries. The mosaics cover a total area of 4000 square metres. 

Venice is a small city and many of its attractions can be visited on foot

Visitors usually start from St. Mark's Square, dominated by the great Basilica and the Duke's Palace. Most of the luxury shops are inside the triangle made by San Marco, Rialto and Accademia. It’s difficult to resist temptation under the arches of San Marco, in the Mercerie, in Frezzeria, in Calle Vallaresso, in Calle Larga XXII Marzo and around the Fenice. 

Once in your life, you must gone to Venice and reach St. Mark's square by the vaporetto.

Arrive to Venice by train , enjoying these unique views in the world; Getting off at Santa Lucia's station and take the vaporetto to St. Mark's along the Canal Grande: our trip has begun. Only two more words: enjoy it!

Venice, the Queen of the Carnival, a small city that knows how to celebrate great events

Venice starts the year with the Regata delle Befane (Race of witches); in February the great passion of Carnival begins: twelve days of folly all over the city. Once in a life you have to live it!. On 25th April, St. Mark's day, the patron saint of the city, and for the occasion men usually give a rosebud ("bòcolo") to their loved one; the second Sunday of May, the declaration of love is made to the city: it’s the feast of the "Sensa" (the Ascension), a procession of boats, Venice renews its rite of marriage to the sea, a tradition which goes back to 998.

Venice a city with more than a hundred islands, Don't you think you should visit it?

Along the Canal Grande, which runs through the heart of the city, there are marvelous buildings built over a period of more than 500 years which constitute the most precious and spectacular showcase of the city. A lot of them are now used as museums, shops, hotels, and houses.

The islands

If you are one of those who enjoy the ancient atmosphere and silence you should make a tour of the islands in the lagoon. It is another way for visiting Venice. Small pearls in the middle of the lagoon some of which are difficult to reach or which access to is forbidden.

Other interesting places at Venice

The Correr Museum:
It contains a collection of documents and relics of the life of Venice from the XIV to the XVIII centuries, and a valuable and important art gallery, among others, masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini (La Pietà) and the marvellous "Ritratto di un giovane col berretto rosso" by Carpaccio.

The Archaeological Museum:
The Archaeological Museum of Venice boasts a highly respectable collection of Greek and Roman sculptures including many originals from the Greek classical period which once graced the collections of the Venetian noble families active in the antiques market of the colonies.