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European Vacations -
Italy Vacation Packages &
Travel Information |
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Overview |
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Venice is an extraordinarily
beautiful city. Venice represents an
urban landscape so rich in its
lavishness that it can be
overwhelming. It seems as if at each
step you will encounter some aspect
of the city worth admiring.
The major sights like the basilica
and piazza of San Marco are perhaps
the city's most famous. Venice's
most celebrated event is the
Carnival, which occupies the ten
days leading up to Lent. Another
major event is the Regatta Storica,
held on the first Sunday in
September, an annual trial of
strength and skill for the city's
gondoliers which starts with a
procession of richly decorated
historic craft along the Canal
Grande course, their crews all
decked out in period dress. Venice
is also the home of the Venice
Biennale, set up in 1895 as a
showpiece for international
contemporary art, and held every
odd-numbered year from June to
September. Its permanent site is
located in the Giardini Pubblici.
The Piazza San Marco is the hub of
most activity, signaled from most
parts of the city by the Campanile,
which began life as a lighthouse in
the ninth century.
Venice's lavishness and fantasy, the
result not just of its remarkable
buildings but of the very fact that
Venice is a city built on water but
a city created more than 1,000 years
ago by men who dared defy the sea,
implanting their splendid palaces
and churches on mud banks in a
swampy and treacherous lagoon.
Gothic styles were adapted to create
a new kind of Venetian Gothic art
and architecture.
Venice is a unique blend of water,
art and romance located four
kilometers from terra firma and two
kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. It
is a treasure from the artistic and
architectural point of view. The
city was built on over 100 islands
in a lagoon on an exceptional
atmosphere during the phenomenon of
"high water," when the high tide
exceeds the level of dry land and
floods the main streets and piazzas
of Venice. For these reasons, Venice
is one of the cities most visited by
tourists from around the world.
Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance
are the principal reference points
for the artistic development of
Venice. |
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Attractions |
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Basilica di San Marco
Piazza San Marco
Phone: 041-522-5205
The atmosphere of the Basilica
embodies the translation of the Body
of St Mark. The basilica is a
glorious structure with artifacts
dating back to the early church
around 1260. The sculptures held
within the walls of the Basilica are
particularly impressive, as well as
the three carved arches representing
the Romanesque sculpture era. The
southern entrance, originally the
main entrance, showcased the riches
gained by Venice’s naval power. The
Basilica also houses the Zen Chapel
that was originally built in the
sixteenth century.
Academy Gallery (Galleria
dell'Accademia)
Campo Della Carit, Dorsoduro.
Phone: 041-522-2247
This museum celebrates the glory
that is Venice. The museum houses a
remarkable collection of artwork.
The focus of this museum begins with
the 13th to the 18th century. The
museum features artists from
Giorgione to Veronese, from Titian
to Tintoretto. Visitors will want to
take time out to visit the some of
the most-renowned masterpieces.
Ducal Palace & Bridge of Sighs
(Palazzo Ducale & Ponte dei Sospiri)
Piazzetta San Marco.
Phone: 041-522-4951
The Porta della Carta, dating back
to the 15th century is the doorway
entrance to the Palace of the Doges.
The palace’s architecture is
extraordinary for it is accented
with red marble and white Istrian
stone. A fire in 1577 almost
destroyed the entirety of the
building. In fact the restoration
process was owed to the dedication
of 16th century painters that
contributed renditions of the great
masterpieces lost during the fire.
More info
Marciano Museum
Located above the atrium of San
Marco’s basilica, the Marciano
Museum overflows with incredible art
works. One of the great masterpieces
that reside within the museum is the
Triumphal Quadriga, which are four
horses looted from Constantinople by
Venetian crusaders. This Quadriga is
believed to be one of the last
remaining.
Campanile di San Marco
Piazza San Marco.
Phone: 041-522-4064
In 1902 the campanile tumbled into
the piazza of San Marco. The bell
tower was, however, rebuilt and now
boasts an elevator. Visitors can
climb up to the top and catch a
wonderful view of the Basilica.
Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio)
Piazza San Marco.
Phone: 041-522-4951
The two Moors that are found
striking the bell atop this renowned
clock tower, are one of the most
recognized scenes of Venice. The
clock located under the winged lion,
matches the signs of the zodiac with
the position of the sun. The base of
the tower is the entrance to the
ancient Mercerie, which is the
principal retail street.
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco was the heart of
Venice during the days of the
seafaring republic. The square
within Venice houses most of the
city's major attractions. St. Mark's
Basilica and the Doge's Palace are
located within the square. In great
part to the work of Napoleon, the
square was unified architecturally,
and the Fabbrica Nuova was added,
bridging the Old and New Procuratie
together. The plaza boasts a little
of everything staring from palaces,
Sansovino's Library, elegant shops,
and colonnades.
Ghetto Nuovo
Campo di Ghetto Nuovo 2902B
Phone: 041-715-359
The Ghetto Nuovo, instituted in 1516
is believed to be the first ghetto
in the world. The ghetto holds many
remains of the past. Located within
the district are five synagogues,
each dating back to the 16th century
and each representing the different
groups of Jews who built them. The
Museo Comunità Ebraica, is the best
place for visitors to take a closer
look at the collection of artifacts
pertaining to the Jewish community
of Venice
Lido
The Lido is one of the most popular
beachfronts of Venice. Complete with
fashionable beachfront resort,
deluxe hotels and the Casino
Municipale, this area receives a
great number of visitors. So, while
in Venice kick off your shoes and
enjoy the texture of the Lido sand.
The Grand Canal (Canal Grande)
The Great Canal is literally a great
road of water. The canal winds
through the city and is filled with
vaporetti, motorboats, and gondolas.
The beginnings of the canal can be
seen within the Piazzetta San Marco,
and from there the canal winds its
course through the city; outlined by
some of the most majestic
structures.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
San Polo
This sixteenth-century museum houses
more than fifty major paintings by
Tintoretto. Some of the praised work
that are included within the
collection are: the Renaissance
landscape in The Flight into Egypt
and two small paintings of St Mary
Magdalene and St Mary of Egypt.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Palazzo Venier Dei Leoni
701 Dorsoduro
Phone: 39 - 41-520 6288
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection's
features twentieth century artist
such as Arp, Bacon, Boccioni,
Calder, Chagall, Dali, Max Ernst,
Giacometti, Kandinsky, Magritte,
Mondrian, Picasso, Pollock, Rothko
and Tanguy. Located on the Grand
Canal in Venice, the Peggy
Guggenheim Collection offers
splendid sights for all visitors.
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Isola Di San Giorgio
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
stands on the island, which bears
its same name. The church is
recognized as one of the most
influential Renaissance church
designs. The chancel features great
works such as: The Fall of Manna and
The Last Supper.
A great point from which visitors
can catch a glimpse of the city.
Fondazione Querini Stampalia
Santa Maria Formosa
Castello 5252
Phone: 041-271-1411
Fax: 041-271-1445
The building serves as a Library,
Museum, and Exhibition Hall.
Restored by the famous Venetian
architect, Carlo Scarpa now plays
host to a large venue of events.
Ca' d'Oro - Galleria Franchetti
Cannaregio 3932
Santa Sofia
Phone: 041-523-8790
The Ca’ d’Oro houses one of the
richest and most important art
collections in town. The building
itself went under reconstruction and
now sports a jazzy new design.
Museo Vetrario di Murano
Fondamenta Giustinian 8
Murano
Phone: 041-395-8886
Established by Abbot Vincenzo
Zanetti – the museum honors the long
tradition of glass manufacturing. A
long carried tradition of craftsman,
the museum illustrates the history
of the Murano glass masters.
Visitors can view the famous
masterpiece 'Coppa Barovier'.
Palazzo Labia - Salone del Tiepolo
Cannaregio 275
Campo San Geremia
Phone: 041-781-277
The Venetian palace, most certainly
lives up to its name. Consisting of
lavish halls some frescoed by the
famous master Tiepolo. Two renowned
masterpieces are included within the
collection: the 'Banquet of Anthony
and Cleopatra' and 'Cleopatra’s
Embarkation'. |
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