Thousands of tourists flock to this romantic city every year. And this is not surprising, because it is impossible to take a step here so as not to stumble upon something interesting. Rich history, unique location, southern hospitality, attractions of Venice make it a truly desirable holiday destination. Walking the streets, riding in a vaporetto, climbing the observation deck, visiting palazzos and churches, you will gain amazing experiences and new knowledge. The entire old part of the city and the Venetian Lagoon rightfully occupy a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We will tell you where to go and what to see first of all, and our guide will help you plan the best route.

Academy Gallery

Italy has long been considered the birthplace of excellent schools of fine arts, where famous artists from other countries, including Russia, went to learn the skill of the brush. Florentine, Milanese, Roman schools gave a start in life to brilliant painters. The Venetians, not wanting to lag behind other cities in this area, opened the Academy of Fine Arts (1750) on the initiative of the famous artist J. Piazzetta.

After the occupation of the city by Napoleonic troops in 1807, the word “Royal” was added to its name, and it was transferred to the buildings in which it is now located as an art gallery of 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, therefore they are worthy of representing the famous paintings of Bellini, Titian, Veneziano and other brilliant masters. Address: Campo della Carita, 1050. Entrance fee: 9 euros, children under 18 free of charge.

Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for 3 799 RUB

grand canal

It just so happened in the fate of the city that instead of streets it has canals along which elegant water vaporettos, famous gondolas and other ships scurry back and forth, delivering tourists and residents to different parts of the city. The Grand Canal is the main waterway that runs through all of Venice (from the station to the confluence with the Giudecca and San Marco canals). The width of the main canal (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 palaces, medieval churches and old mansions. They lined up like a colorful wall of facades on both sides of the canal, evoking the feeling of a beautiful 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 a transition from one side of the canal to the other, where the mooring stops are located. On them you can wait for the next vaporetto or gondola, buy a ticket at the box office. A trip along the Grand Canal is an unforgettable journey into the world of beauty.

Doge's Palace

This monumental, majestic building is not only an undoubted architectural masterpiece, but also a historical monument. Conceived as the residence of the doges (supreme rulers of the mini-state), the palace was first built on the remains of the ancient Roman walls. After a fire in the late 14th-early 15th century. a new U-shaped building was erected, retaining its former appearance, but more luxurious and rich, made of white, gray and pink marble. A cursory glance at all 3 facades is enough to determine that the palace is a real architectural masterpiece, the embodiment of the boundless work and talent of masons and architects. Arched vaults, figured spiers, sculptures, balcony railings – everything is done with filigree elegance.

Above the front gate (Porta della Carta – Paper Gate) rises a sculptural image of a winged lion and kneeling Doge Foscari. The interiors amaze with majestic statues, massive marble staircases, luxurious decoration of walls and ceilings. It is worth visiting to appreciate the grandeur of the past. Address: pl. St. Mark, 1.

How to get there: S Zaccaria vaporetto

Open for visits: in the summer every day, from 9 am to 19 pm; in winter: from 09.00 to 17.00. Ticket offices close 1 hour earlier.

Ca'd'Oro Palace

The name of this palace – the top of grace and beauty – is translated as “golden house” for the use of gold leaf in its decoration. Although it has not been preserved, the name is firmly entrenched as a symbol of the unusually beautiful appearance of the Gothic building. 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, cruciform spiers on the roof attic, and stucco patterns.

The palace, officially bearing the name of St. Sophia, has a rich history associated with many noble families of Venice and the wonderful architects, brothers Bona. The owners of the palace periodically changed, and in 1894 it was Baron Franchetti, a 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, which is eagerly visited by tourists who are attracted by the irresistibly beautiful view of the palace. Address: Cannaregio, 3932, opposite the Rialto fish market.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs has brothers in name in other cities of the world, but only here it originally had a not very pleasant purpose. He connected the Doge's Palace, where justice was administered, with the prison building, located on the opposite side. Those who went to the prison cells sighed in pain, imagining their sad fate – hence the name. The structure was made covered to exclude the possibility of prisoners escaping.

Outwardly, the bridge, made in the baroque style of white marble, is very beautiful and elegant, the luxurious stucco ornamentation gives it a poetically sublime look. Legends are connected with the Bridge of Sighs about Casanova, who also walked along the bridge and became the only one who managed to escape from prison. It was Byron who is rumored to have given his opinion on the title. But the residents themselves are opponents of such an interpretation, so they came up with their own legend: in order to consolidate the feelings of lovers forever, they need to swim under the bridge at sunset in a gondola and kiss. People always want to believe in good things – at sunset, queues of gondolas with couples line up near the bridge.

Rialto Bridge

Venice is called not only the “city of canals”, but also “bridges”, because there are almost 400 such structures in it. The most ancient history of them is the Rialto Bridge, which was built in 1281 from wood instead of a pontoon crossing. However, the first structure did not last long, like other wooden bridges that replaced it, until a decision was made to build a stone bridge in the middle of the 16th century.

The magnificent project presented by the architect de Ponte was approved, and in 1591 a grandiose structure was built, located 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 over the canal and a place of brisk trade, where many merchants' shops were placed at 48 m in length. Now there are still shops, souvenir shops here, tourists like to visit. Residents honor a kind of calling card of the city and an ancient monument, which is the Rialto Bridge.

St. Mark's Square

The main square includes 3 parts: the square itself and 2 sites – Piazzetta San Marco (from the Grand Canal to the bell tower) and Piazzetta Leonchini (from the side of the church of the same name and the Patriarchal Palace). This favorite place of the residents, surrounded by buildings of stunning beauty, filled with pigeons, has repeatedly served as an arena for filming feature films 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, contemplation of the beauty and grace of unique architectural monuments, the main 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 most beautiful church was preceded by a tragic page in the history of Venice – the cruel plague of 1631-32, when thousands of inhabitants died. The authorities of the city, calling in their prayers to the Holy Mother of God for the salvation of the townspeople, promised to erect a church if the plague goes 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 project of a young extraordinary architect Longen, and almost 50 years later, a temple of divine beauty arose on the island of Dorsoduro, near the main canal.

The masterpiece of architecture is a round octahedron of the Baroque style, generously decorated with graceful 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. A 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 in the world.

Address: Dorsoduro, 30123. Open: every day, 09.00 – 12.00, 15.00 – 17.00; 12.00 – 15.00 – break. Entrance 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 the island of Rialto 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 ascended, which later became the Cathedral (1807).

The current building of the cathedral was completed in 1063 on the site of the former one, based on the Constantinople church of the 12 apostles. 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. Sculptures of saints are installed in the arches, beautiful mosaic panels are placed on the facade. The interior decoration is blinding with gold and bright colors.

Address: pl. St. Mark. Cathedral open: Apr. – November – daily, 09.45 – 17.00; Sun and holiday – from 14.00 to 16.00. Entrance is free.

Open: every day, 09.45 – 16.45.

Belfry: November – April – 09.30 – 15.45; May – June, Oct.: from 09.00 to 19.00; July – September, from 09.00 to 21.00.

Burano Island

Burano is a fishing island, located 7 km from the center, famous for its multi-colored facades of houses. 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 picture of a kaleidoscope. Blue, orange, hot pink, turquoise, brown tones paint a joyful landscape. In front of almost every house there is the same “fun” boat – the individual transport of the inhabitants of this amazing microdistrict.

The famous craft here was once the virtuoso weaving of openwork lace, the beauty and elegance of which allowed them to be called Venetian lace, known throughout the world. But now genuine products can be seen only in the Lace Museum: over time, the skill of lacemakers has sunk into oblivion. Tourists, visiting the island, go to the local pasticheria (bakery), where they buy delicious shortbread dough cookies – buranelli. Every 2 hours, vaporetto N 41, N42 and 52 leave for Burano.

Address: Calle Capele, 30142.

Museum open: daily except Tuesday: Apr. – sept. – from 10.00 to 17.00; oct. – March: 10.00 – 16.00.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The basilica is an unusual religious Franciscan complex. Over the centuries, the Basilica has collected important and very valuable works, through which you can take a journey through the history of the art of Venice from the 15th to the 18th century. Among the many masterpieces preserved here, Assunta, a famous work by Titian, stands out, as well as the famous Pesaro Madonna, located in the Pesaro family chapel.

The vestry contains the Bellini Triptych Madonna and Child. Magnificent wooden choirs, numerous grave monuments of famous figures of the city, an extraordinary collection of sculptures are the absolute masterpieces of the church dei Frari. Also there is the only Venetian wooden statue of St. John the Baptist by Donatello.

Open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. Sundays and public holidays from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore

It stands on a separate island and is an excellent example of Renaissance architecture. It is one of the largest churches in the city with impressive views of Piazza San Marco. The facade is made in classical style with marble columns on a high pedestal. On the dome is a statue of St. George, 3.85 meters high, which is covered with about 560 copper plates. This is the first time in Venice that a sculpture has been placed on top of a dome instead of the traditional cross.

The interior conveys a sense of spatial grandeur. This Benedictine church has an excellent 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.

Palace of Ca' Rezzonico

Located on the Grand Canal. This is a typical Venetian aristocratic building of the eighteenth century. It houses a precious collection of 18th-century Venetian furniture and paintings. Of particular interest are the rooms with luxurious frescoes by Tiepolo, Guarana and Guardi. The Art Gallery of Egidio Martini, with nearly 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, as well as December 25, January 1, May 1.

Teatro La Fenice

The Teatro Grande La Fenice, located in the San Marco district of San Fantin, is today the main opera house. Twice destroyed and rebuilt, it has been home to important opera and 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, Verdi. In the twentieth century, much attention was paid to modern art. It hosted the world premieres of Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Sergei Prokofiev, and Bruno Maderna.

After several fires, the masters in 2001 managed to recreate the atmosphere of the old theater. La Fenice has been rebuilt in the 19th century style. Decorations made of gold and plush, exquisite stucco with stucco make the interior of the theater irresistible. It was equipped with additional rehearsal areas with modern technology, the number of 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 for visits every day from 9:30 to 18:00.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the most important collection in Italy dedicated to American and European art from the first half of 1900. It consists of works by the greatest artists of that time: Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, Duchamp, Brancusi. Of great interest is the collection of Gianni Mattioli, which includes works by artists of Italian futurism.

The museum continues to expand its collections by displaying masterpieces from private collections. In 2012, eighty works of Italian, European and American post-war art from the collection of Hannelore and Schulhoff entered the Guggenheim collection. You can see temporary exhibitions, as well as beautiful sculptural compositions by Nasher. The museum is housed in the Venier dei Leoni palace bought by the Guggenheim.

Open from 10:00 – 18:00 every day.

Closed on Tuesdays and December 25th.

Venetian Arsenal

Venetian sea power was once widely known. The ships were built at the famous shipyard located on the island of Castello. The first building was built in the 12th century, later it was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. The main entrance is located on the side of the mainland and is decorated with formidable figures of lions. Outwardly, it resembles a triumphal arch, and it is not surprising, because it was a strong fleet that provided Venice with influence on the seas. The arsenal gave work to 16 thousand people.

Now it does not work and is in disrepair. You can see only the part of the Arsenal, which hosts the Biennale of Arts. Some workshops and warehouses are closed to the public because they are used as a naval base. Nevertheless, the Arsenal invites tourists to visit the Naval Museum, which is located very close. It works every day from 8.45 to 17.00. You can get to this amazing medieval architectural monument by vaporetto No. 1, 4.1, 4.2.

Bridge of the Constitution

This is one of the most controversial sights of the ancient city. The bridge spans the Grand Canal and connects the Santa Lucia train station with the bus station. It was built in 2008 by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Most residents of the city took this idea with hostility. People believed that the glass bridge would disrupt the harmony of the ancient city and would be a clear dissonance in it. Indeed, this structure does not fit in with the surrounding landscape.

Another disadvantage of the bridge is that it turned out to be unsafe in rainy weather. Glass panels become very slippery when wet. The protests of the townspeople turned into public demonstrations, and the city authorities made symbolic concessions – they canceled the grand opening of the bridge. Construction was also accompanied by setbacks.

Calatrava was able to complete the bridge four years later than promised, and spent twice as much money as was originally stated. Less than five years later, the bridge required repairs. The length of the bridge is slightly less than 80 m, and the width varies from 10 to 15 meters. You can get to it in a couple of minutes on foot from both stations. It is worth visiting this scandalous attraction to form your own opinion about it.

National Library of St. brand

Walking through the San Marco quarter, it is impossible not to notice the magnificent building in the Renaissance style. Two rows of arcades, pilasters, white marble statues make the National Library a true masterpiece of the Renaissance. This largest collection of books dates back to 1469. Then Cardinal Bessarion presented the republic with a precious gift – a collection of books, among which were early printed ones, and manuscripts, including those in ancient Greek and Latin.

Further, many families of aristocrats contributed to the expansion of the library. In 1603, a special law was passed, according to which a copy of any book printed in Venice had to be sent to this library. It was the first such law in the world. In the future, this experience was adopted by the British Library and the US Library of Congress. In the 19th century, Napoleon began to dissolve the monasteries, and the vast monastic collections of books entered the National Library.

Now this collection of books can boast of real treasures, which have no analogues anywhere in the world. Tourists can not only admire the building from the outside, but also see the magnificent interior decoration. The National Library is open on weekdays from 8.00 to 19.00, on Saturday from 8.00 to 13.30. It is worth noting that the schedule of work of different departments may vary.

Academy Bridge

This small bridge, 48 meters long, connects the areas of Dorsoduro and San Marco. It got its name in honor of the Italian art museum of the Accademia Gallery. The city authorities thought about building a bridge in this place back in 1488, but it was difficult to build a structure, and there was not enough money. Therefore, the construction was completed only after 66 years. The basis was laid steel parts. The bridge existed until 1933. Then it was completely demolished.

The next option was wooden and did not last long. In 1985, a new structure was built over the Grand Canal, which is still in use today. The bridge has already gone through several reconstructions, and its demolition and the construction of the next version are currently being discussed. The Academy Bridge can be recognized as emergency due to heavy loads on the supporting structures. Weights and metal locks are added, which Venetian lovers hang on the railing in large numbers.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

This is one of the most unusual and amazing palaces. It is very compact and occupies a small area, but it is elongated in height. The Palazzo was built in the 15th century by the architect Giovanni Candi. Many arches with graceful columns make the facade of the palace slender and light. But its real highlight is the external spiral staircase located in the corner round tower. It looks like a beautiful white spiral, thanks to which the word “bovolo” appeared in the name of the palace, which translates as “snail”.

Previously, this building was one of the city residences of the Contarini family, which had a considerable influence on the life of Venice. Suffice it to say that at different times 8 members of the family became doges. The spiral staircase has recently undergone restoration, and in 2014 it was reopened to the public. The Palazzo is located in the San Marco area. From the Rialto Bridge you need to walk to Campo Manin, and there is already a sign on which the name of the palace is written.

Municipal Museum of Correr

This gallery was founded in 1830 by the passionate collector Teodoro Correra. He was the owner of a unique collection of works of art. He bequeathed the entire collection to the city. The museum is located in the heart of the city, on Piazza San Marco. The exposition is divided into three parts.

All these collections are located in 33 exhibition halls. In the museum you can see historical documents, coins, weapons and festive clothes. The antique items that are stored there were witnesses of significant events. There are many items that belonged to great people. For example, Admiral Morosini's pistol. He was very afraid for his life and saw intruders everywhere. This anxiety did not leave him even in church, so the pistol was made in the form of a prayer book. The treasures of the art gallery can be called paintings by Bellini, Lo Schiavone, Lorenzo Veneziano, Antonello da Messina.

Open from November 1 to March 31 from 10.30 to 17.00. From April 1 to October 31, the schedule changes – from 10.00 to 19.00.

Cathedral of Santi Giovanni e Paolo

This church is one of the largest and most famous in the city. It is famous for its large collection of sculptures, the Gothic style, the tombstones of the doges, of whom more than 20 are buried here. The construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century. This piece of land was donated by the Doge to the Dominican friars. It was possible to complete the construction only in 1430. From the moment the temple was consecrated, memorial services were held here for the deceased doges, and they were buried right there. The interior of the cathedral strikes the imagination with masterpieces of painting.

It was here that the artist Giovanni Bellini began his ascent to the heights. The cathedral is also decorated with paintings by Paolo Veronese, Lorenzo Lotto. Sculptures should also be noted. In front of the church is a masterpiece by Andrea del Verrocchio – a monument to the condottiere Colleoni. He is depicted proudly riding a horse. He was awarded such an honor after he bequeathed his truly colossal wealth to the city.

Saint Mark's Clock Tower

The clock tower is rightfully considered the hallmark of the city; it is the most recognizable landmark. The place for its construction was not chosen by chance. The architect assumed that the clock would be visible even from the coastal areas of the Adriatic Sea. All guests of the city at the sight of the tower were supposed to represent the wealth and strength of the city.

In the 15th century, not every city could afford to have its own clockwork, so the power of Venice inspired respect for everyone who went to its shores. All images decorating the clock tower have a symbolic meaning. On the flat roof there are two human figures – young and old. They beat certain intervals of time with hammer blows on the bell. A few centuries later, the figures turned black and acquired the nickname “Moors”.

They are designed to personify the time during which a human life passes. Below them you can see a lion, which represents St. Mark. The center of the tower is a bright blue dial, decorated with golden images. Tourists can see the clock tower from the inside. There are guided tours in several languages 4 times a day. It is worth booking such an event in advance, because each group recruits no more than 12 people.

Scuola San Marco

Scuola is a charitable organization that has played an important role in the life of the city. This brotherhood worked for 600 years for the benefit of Venice, until this territory was captured by Napoleon, who abolished all the scuols. This organization was founded in 1260. Her goal was to help sick and poor people. Initially, the scuola was located in another building, which died in a fire in the 15th century. By the beginning of the 16th century, a new building was built.

Now it is a unique example of Renaissance architecture. Outwardly, the building resembles an elegant carved box. The facade is decorated with columns, niches, marble bas-reliefs. After the invasion of Napoleon, a military hospital was located there, and many valuables were looted. Nowadays the building is occupied by the city hospital. In 2013 it was opened to the public. On the second floor there is an amazing museum of medicine.

There you can see the surgical instruments that were previously used by doctors. Scuola has a wonderful library in which you can even find the works of ancient Aesculapius – Hippocrates or Avicenna. Even visitors who are far from medicine are invariably surprised by the interior design of the premises. Luxurious gilded woodcarving will not leave anyone indifferent.

Works from Tuesday to Saturday. Opening hours from 9.30 to 17.00, lunch from 13.00 to 14.00.

Scuola San Rocco

This scuola was built in 1478 to help the sick and destitute. It was named after Saint Roch, who was revered for his strength against the plague. In the 16th century, the scuola was the richest brotherhood of the city and announced a competition. The winner got the right to decorate the walls of the building. They became the famous master Jacopo Tintoretto. 54 of his works have become a true treasure of the scuola.

To inspect the paintings in the order in which they were painted, you must first go through the first floor, and then continue the inspection in the main hall on the second floor. Also, the interior impresses with beautiful wood carvings and allegorical wooden sculptures. The building itself is well preserved. You can visit the scuola on any day from 9.30 to 17.30, except for the New Year and Christmas. The church is open every day, including holidays.

Church of San Zaccaria

In the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo V presented the city with the relics of St. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. To store them, they built the wonderful church of San Zaccaria. In the XII century, it was almost completely destroyed by a strong fire, and the city authorities restored it anew. In the future, the church was rebuilt several times. For a long time there was a tradition – the Doge always visited this church on Easter. Now it is one of the most famous sights, and this is justified, because tourists have something to see in it.

Firstly, the facade is remarkable, which is a combination of two styles – Gothic and Renaissance. Secondly, in the main building of the church, the abundance of paintings is striking. Bellini's Madonna and Child with Saints is kept in the altar. There is little lighting for inspection, but you can put a coin of 50 euro cents into a special device nearby, and the picture will be highlighted. You can go down to the crypt of the church, where eight Venetian doges found their last resting place. The crypt is half-flooded, and this gives it mystery.

Church hours:

From Monday to Saturday – from 10.00 to 12.00, from 16.00 to 18.00.

Sunday – only from 16.00 to 18.00.

St. Mark's Campanile

The bell tower of St. Mark is easy to find on the square of the same name. In ancient times, there was a watchtower in its place, and there were no other buildings yet. Built in the 9th century, the campanile had several functions at once. She served as a beacon for ships. Also on its top there were five bells, each of which had its own purpose and notified the inhabitants of the city about important events. In the 15th century, lightning and an earthquake destroyed the bell tower.

It was restored only by 1513. At the top, a gilded statue of the Archangel Gabriel was installed. A hundred years later, the building was supplemented with a loggia, which housed the guards of the Doge's Palace. At the beginning of the 20th century, the campanile experienced another destruction. The cause was a crack. This time, the restoration took only 9 years. The height of the bell tower is 99 meters, it is one of the tallest buildings in Italy.

The pyramidal roof is crowned with a two-meter statue depicting the Archangel Gabriel. The observation deck offers an unforgettable view of the city and the sea. Residents believe that it was in this building that Galileo first used his telescope, and Goethe liked to go upstairs and write poetry there. He claimed that the views of the city give him inspiration.

Campaign Hours:

From October 1 to March 31, the bell tower is open from 9.30 to 17.00.

From April 1 to April 15 – from 9.00 to 17.30.

From September 16 to September 30 – from 8.30 to 21.00.

Usually in January the bell tower is closed for repairs. It takes place from 7 to 24 January.

Columns of Saint Mark and Saint Theodore

Another small square adjoins Piazza San Marco, which is decorated with two majestic columns. One of them is crowned with a statue of a winged lion symbolizing Saint Mark. At the top of the second is a statue of St. Theodore. These columns were brought in 1125, they were a trophy as a result of the victory over Tyre. Initially, three columns were delivered to the shores, but one of them sank and still lies at the bottom of the lagoon.

The other two could not immediately be identified, and until 1196 they lay on the shore. Previously, criminals were executed between these two columns, since then the superstitious inhabitants of the city have been trying not to pass between them. Even after installation, the trials for these sights were not over. After Napoleon's invasion, the bronze lion was moved to Paris. When Bonaparte's empire collapsed, the lion went back, but split into 84 pieces during transportation.

To restore them, they tried to melt them down, as a result of which the sculpture acquired an awesome look. Only at the end of the last century did the lion regain its forms. Its history is unique. Scientists have found that the lion was cast in Assyria 2500 years ago. Saint Theodore has earned this place of honor because he was once regarded as the patron saint of Venice. In our time, the column is crowned with a copy of the sculpture, and the original is kept in the Doge's Palace.

Ponte delle-Tette

This seemingly small nondescript bridge can be called one of the most piquant sights. The name Ponte delle Tette translates as “Bridge of Bare Breasts”. In the Middle Ages, the city was famous for its courtesans. There were so many of them that at the beginning of the 15th century a decree was issued that limited areas for their fishing. Prostitutes could only work in certain places and at certain times. The Ponte delle Tette was one such place.

But what about bare breasts? The fact is that at this time Italy was overwhelmed by homosexuality. This sin in those days was punishable by death. The city authorities did not lose hope that the lost souls could be “cured” of their addiction by seeing a beautiful woman. That is why the courtesans were ordered to display their charms in the area of this bridge. These rules were in effect until the 18th century. Then prostitution was legalized, and Ponte delle Tette lost its zest.

Naval Historical Museum

The entire history of the Venetian Republic is inextricably linked with the sea. This city has long been famous for its strong fleet, the ships for which were built right there. Nowadays, fragments of this glorious past can be found in the Naval Museum. It is located next to the Arsenal, and the building it occupies was originally intended to store grain. Only at the end of the 17th century, details and models of ships began to be stored there. Now in the museum you can see unique exhibits – a model of a floating palace used in the ritual of “betrothal of the Doge to the sea”, torpedoes, boats, gondolas, models of fortresses, portraits of admirals, shells, and so on.

From Monday to Thursday it is open from 8.45 to 13.30. Friday from 8.45 to 17.00. Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00.

Punta della Dogana

Venice is a maritime city, which means that trade has always flourished in it. Commercial activities led to the creation of a customs house, which is conveniently located next to the Arsenal. The building that tourists can admire today was built in 1682. In its architecture, the attention is drawn to the tower crowned with a sculptural group. The building functioned until 1980, then 20 years of desolation replaced the stormy activity. Later, the city council decided to turn the former customs building into a contemporary art space. It can be accessed on any day except Tuesday. Opening hours – from 10.00 to 19.00.

Shipyard San Trovaso

This is one of the oldest city shipyards. She specialized in the construction of gondolas. They were made by hand and used 8 types of wood. Until now, tourists can admire this process and take unique photographs. For visitors, there are free guided tours lasting half an hour. The shipyard dates back to the 17th century.

The wooden building is located on a foundation made of larch trunks. The walls and foundation are coated with clay for greater strength. The wooden structure is not typical for a city on the water, so it can be called a rarity. The shipyard has quite a few rooms. Some of them are intended for production, others are still inhabited by gondola owners.

Church of San Pantalon

The full name of this interesting building is the Church of St. Panteleimon. The Catholic church is striking in the contrast between its external appearance and interior decoration. The facade of the church, built in the 11th century, is distinguished by its simplicity and austerity. When examining it, tourists do not leave the feeling of incompleteness. But inside, visitors admire the masterpieces of Fumiani, Veronese, Veneziano, Vivarini and Longhi. A Catholic service is unthinkable without an organ.

The musical instrument, located in the church of San Pantalon, is dated 1803. The history of the creation of the main canvas that adorns the church is interesting. This is the painting “The Martyrdom of St. Panteleimon”, painted by Giovanni Antonio Fumiani. Work on the canvas took him 24 years. This work was his last work. Tradition says that Fumiani died while finishing his masterpiece. The cause of death was a fall from the scaffolding. The artist was buried in the same church. The area of the painting is 443 square meters. m. The church can be accessed from Monday to Saturday.

Opening hours from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 15.00. Free admission.

Casino

The casino was formally opened in 1959. Nevertheless, it can be safely called the oldest gambling house in the world, because the casino is the heir to the Ridotto traditions. This beautiful palazzo began to be built in 1481 and finished in 1509. The palace has long been the home of the royal family. In the 16th century, the palazzo housed a church and a theater dedicated to St. Moses. The Ridotto gambling house opened its doors to guests in 1638.

It was a privileged place, only members of aristocratic families could get there. In 1774 the casino was closed. The palace changed hands several times. The city authorities bought the palazzo shortly after the end of the Second World War and opened a casino in it 13 years later. To visit the palazzo, visitors must follow the dress code.

Scalzi Bridge

Most often, this is the first Venetian bridge that tourists see. It is located in close proximity to the railway station and has long been a hallmark of the city. The name translates as “Barefoot Bridge”. There are two versions explaining its origin. According to the first, in the old days there were quite a lot of beggars in this area who did not even have money for shoes. The second version says that the church located nearby is involved in the name.

She belonged to a brotherhood of Carmelite monks, who are often called “barefoot”. The bridge was first built on this site in 1856. The townspeople at first perceived it negatively, believing that the bridge did not fit with the appearance of the city. It was also a hindrance to navigation, as the height did not allow ships to pass. All this led to the fact that in 1934 the bridge was rebuilt, making it 7 meters high. Nowadays, numerous souvenir merchants have settled near the bridge.

Everyone opens the city in their own way. There are many more interesting places in this city-monument that deserve attention. Having been here once, you will want to come back again and again.