The Sights of Venice

     As a tourists on a short-term visit to these beautiful islands, there is never enough time to see all of Venice and it's cultural beauty. Venice is one of the oldest cities still standing with it's original architectural buildings and designs, and it is what makes Venice uniquely beautiful. So here is a list of the must see, most popular sights of Venice, Italy.

Saint Mark's Square

Piazza San Marco is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as "the Piazza". The Piazzetta (the 'little Piazza') is an extension of the Piazza towards the lagoon in its south east corner. The two spaces together form the social, religious and political centre of Venice. A remark usually attributed to Napoleon calls the Piazza San Marco "the drawing room of Europe".  It is one of the few great urban spaces in Europe where human voices prevail over the sounds of motorized traffic. There are numerous shops and restaurants along the square on either side. You can chose to eat outside, or dine in, or simply to run in and grab a sandwich. The Piazza is usually very crowded during the day, being popular for tourists, and the center of San Marco, but there is always more to visit in the square than just the shops themselves. 

Basilica of Saint Mark

 

The  Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on St Mark's Square adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power. The paintings on the inside cover the interior of the building.

 

The Ducale Palace 

The Ducal Palace is a Renaissance building and one of the most important monuments in Italy,The Ducal Palace featured several rooms that reflect Federico's devotion to Classical and humanistic studies and served his daily routine, which included visiting the palace's lararium and reading literature The Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (National Gallery of the Marche), housed in the palace, is one of the most important collection of Renaissance art in the world. It includes important works by artists such as Santi, Van Wassenhove (a Last Supper with portraits of the Montefeltro family and the court), and other 15th century artists, as well as a late Resurrection by Titian.The Palace draws in thousands of tourists every year because of its containment of magnificent art work. 

 The Arsenale

Founded in 1104, the Arsenale soon became the greatest medieval shipyard in Europe, home to 300 shipping companies employing up to 16,000 people, and capable of turning out a new galley in a day. Venice’s navy remained unbeatable for centuries, but now arty types invade the shipyards during Venice’s Art and Architecture Biennales. At its peak, the Arsenale covered 46 hectares and must have made an enormous impression, with its boiling black pitch, metalworking and timber-cutting.

 The Jewish Ghetto

  

This area in Venice was once a getto (foundry) on an island away from the main area of Cannaregio to contain the risk of fire – but its role as the designated Jewish quarter from the 16th to 18th centuries gave the word a whole new meaning. In accordance with the Venetian Republic’s 1516 decree, Jewish artisans and lenders stocked and funded Venice’s commercial enterprises by day, while at night and on Christian holidays, they were restricted to the gated island of the Ghetto Nuovo.

Despite it's name, this part of Venice has become home to thousands of people, and a tourists attraction. The history of the island is captivating, and you can still see some of the original buildings and architecture. This area is covered in vines and other arrangements of flowers during the warmer seasons of Venice. A tour through here will almost make you feel right at home.

 The Rialto Bridge

Rivoalto (later contracted to Rialto), is the highest spot in the collection of islets that formed the nucleus of the lagoon city, and was one of the areas of first settlement - although the more active part was initially on the San Marco side of the bridge. The San Polo side slowly became the center of trade and banking for the Republic. This is where dosh traded hands, voyages were bankrolled, insurance was arranged and news (or gossip) was exchanged.

The bridge is constructed for pedestrains only, and has a very wide walking space so that all of the lagoon can be viewed while passing over. However, if you don't want the typical look feel free to take the gondola ride and get the view of the Rialto Bridge from the lagoon. 

Campanile di San Marco

Originally built as a lighthouse to assist navigation in the lagoon, visitors can be whisked by elevator to the top of St. Mark's Campanile or bell tower to savor incredible views of Venice, the lagoon and the Alps in the distance. Located in the corner of Saint Mark's square, it is one steps away from both the activities of the square and the Basilica.

 

Bridge of Sighs

Built in 1602, the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) connected the interrogation rooms in the Doges Palace with the prison cells. It got its name from the fact that prisoners passing across it sighed for their lost freedom and their final view of Venice through the barred windows. The prison cells were small, dank and often a final stop before death. You can see them on a tour of the Palazzo Ducale (Doges Palace).
Designed by Antoni Contino whose uncle designed the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs is covered-in, with bars on the windows, made of white limestone. From the outside it is lovely, from the inside not so pretty.