City Overview

Venice, home to Marco Polo, Titian and Canaletto is a unique blend of water, art and romance. Centuries of sea commerce made the city wealthy and cosmopolitan. A city of canals, not roads, it serenely escapes the noise of automobile traffic. The city's art and architecture balance its physical beauty nicely. Must-sees in its galaxy of attractions are the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, the Campanile di San Marco, Ponte Rialto and Bridge of Sighs.

Venice is at the head of the Aegean Sea in northeast Italy. It was founded in the Lagoon of Venice in the 5th century AD by mainland refugees from barbarian invasions. Built on 128 islands, it has always looked to the sea. From the 10th to the 15th centuries it was an independent state and the premiere sea power on the Mediterranean. By the 18th century it had declined, falling to Napoleon, then given to Austria. In 1866 it became part of a newly united Italy.

Venice's many canals follow the original watercourse among the 118 original islands. The main stream through these isles, the Grand Canal, flows around two wide curves through the city. Ranging in width from about 100 to 225 feet (30 to 70 m) and having a mean depth of 9 feet (2.7 m), the Grand Canal is bordered by numerous palaces, churches, and other interesting buildings. Until the 19th century, the Grand Canal was crossed only by the Rialto Bridge, designed by Antonio da Ponte; two additional bridges now span the Grand Canal. The most famous of Venice's approximately 400 bridges is the Bridge of Sighs, a short, covered passageway between the Doges' Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and the former Venetian Republic's prison. Legend says this name came about because prisoners could be heard letting out a sigh as they were led from the palace to the prison (once there, few made it out alive).

The architecture of Venice is varied, with Italian, Arabic, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque styles all represented. For centuries the social and political center of Venice was the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), one of the most famous squares in the world. Arcades line three of its sides. Lying at the eastern end of the piazza rises the golden facade of San Marco Basilica. The southern wing of the piazza, called the Piazzetta, is flanked by the Doges' Palace and the Old Library. The ornate chambers of the Doges' Palace were decorated by a number of Venice's great artists, and St. Mark's is filled with objects collected over the years by the Venetians in their various conquests. While these are some of the more prominent buildings in Venice, you are sure to enjoy exploring the small winding streets and canals. As you wander through this beautiful city you will little treasures here and there; beautiful churches, impressive palaces, excellent art museums, small markets, quaint restaurants, plus much more!

We are confident that you will find Venice to be one of the most unique and charming places you will find anywhere in Italy!

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