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Sights to See
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SAN MARCO
- BASILICA DI SAN MARCO: Architectural gem in the Veneto-Byzantine style. A Greek Cross with five enormous domes, it is the third church to be erected in this spot. In 1807 it became the cathedral of Venice, substituting San Pietro di Castello. Until this time it served at the private chapel to the Doge and for state ceremonies.
- PALAZZO DUCALE: Residence of the Doge a seat of the principal magistrate of the State.
- PIAZZA: A trapezoid form, it is enclosed on the two long sides by in the sequence Procuratie.
- CAMPANILE: The Campanile, or bell tower, actually replaced one that crumbled to the ground in 1902. It offers a spectacular view of the city.
- TORRE DELL´OROLOGIO: Generously decorated, it is located on the northern side of the Piazza.
- MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO: The archeology museum is located in the Libreria Sansovina and the Procuratie Nuove.
- MUSEO CORRER: Important museum dedicated to the history of the Venetian Republic. It includes maps, currencies, armor, and numerous objects related to the Doge figure.
- SAN SIORGIO MAGGIORE: The small island of San Giorgio Maggiore has been portrayed on canvas many times. The church and the monastery were built between 1560 and 1580, becoming one of the best architectural successes of Andrea Palladio.
- TEATRO LA FENICE: Erected in 1790 as a project of Selva, destroyed the first time in 1836, resurrected, like the mythical bird, after a little more than a year. In 1996 it was again destroyed by another fire, but the will of the Venetians resurrected it again dov´era e come era (where it was and how it was).
- PALAZZO CONTARINI DEL BOVOLO: Located right behind Campo Manin, it is worth a visit to see this magnificent exterior stairway.
- PALAZZO FORTUNY: 15th century palace dominates Campo San Veneto with its gothic faade. It is home to the Fortuny Museum which exhibits pieces from Spanish painter Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1861 1949).
- CAMPO SANTO STEFANO: decorated with prestigious palaces that were homes to important families. The Pisani family palace has been the seat of the Music Conservatory since 1897, dedicated to the Venetian composer Benedetto Marcello.
CASTELLO
- S. ZACCARIA CHURCH: Enclosed in the S. Zaccaria campo, the church , founded in the 9th century endured several changes of the faade, therefore taking on various architectural styles that are still recognizable today. The bell tower dates to the 10th century. The most notable intervention was in 1458, resulting in the masterpiece faade of the architect Codussi.
- SCHOOL AND CHURCH OF S. GIORGIO DEI GRECI: In 1526 the Greek Orthodox community of Venice, second in number only to the Jews, obtained the authorization of the Patriarch to practice their religion. In 1539 they built the church and the adjacent Scuola di S. Nicolò in the Sansovinian style. The school is home to a collection of art and precious Byzantine icons.
- PONTE DELLA PAGLIA E PONTE DEI SOSPIRI (Bridge of Straw and Bridge of Sighs): The Ponte della Paglia was originally constructed in 1360. According to legend, the Bridge of Sighs, built around 1600 to connect the Ducal Palace with the new prisons, got its name from the complaints of the prisoners who were heading off to jail.
- MUSEO DIOCESANO D´ARTE SACRA: The cloisters of Sant´Apollonia are only a short distance from St. Mark´s Square. They serve as an example of Romantic Architecture dating between the 12th and 13th centuries. The monastery used to be the residence of the Benedictine monks. In 1976 it became the seat of the Dioceses Museum of Sacred Art, founded in order to gather the art of churches that have closed or are no longer used for religious services.
- PALAZZO QUERINI STAMPALIA: In Renaissance style, the interior remains decorated and furnished with high quality antiques and has an impressive library.
- CAMPO SANTA MARIA FORMOSA: Ample, irregular, and lined with beautiful palaces, the Santa Maria Formosa Square is one of the most characteristic of Venice.
- SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN MARCO: Few hospitals have a faade rich and unusual like one of the hospital in Venice. It was originally built as one of the six fraternities of Venice.
- SCUOLA SAN GIORGIO DEGLI SCHIAVONI: The scuola, founded in 1451, was rebuilt in 1551, and from then it has changed very little. Carpaccio created nine paintings between 1502 and 1508 with scenes from the lives the three protective saints of the Dalmatian coast: St. George, Saint Trifone, and saint Jerome.
- MUSEO STORICO NAVALE: The collection, housed since 1958 in the former warehouse on the banchina, traces the Venetian and Italian naval history up to the present. Among the exhibited items are decorations from past ship galleys, maritime firearms, and a copy of the ceremonious Ducal embarkation, il Bucintoro.
- ARSENALE: The heart of the maritime power, the Arsenale was founded in the 12th century and was at its full glory between the 14th and 16th centuries, perhaps the largest navy in the world.
- CATTEDRALE SAN PIETRO: For many centuries this was the primary seat of the Catholic church in Venice. In 1451 Venice obtained its own patriarch, elevating the power of this church. As a result of the invasion of Napoleon, in 1807 the title of primary seat of the Catholic church in Venice went to St. Marks.
CANNAREGIO
- CAMPO DEI MORI: Along Venetian tradition, the mori were the three Mastelli brothers who were from Peloponeso. Businessmen by trade, they took refuge in Venice in 1112 where they built the Mastelli Palace, recognizable by relief of a camel, which at one time was situated behind the square.
- CA´ D´ORO: One of the most beautiful palaces on the Grand Canal, The Golden House is the most representative example of Venetian-Gothic architecture in the city. The faade, with elegantly sculptured ogee windows, relay un undeniable eastern influence. Since 1984 this palace has been the seat of the Galleria Giorgio Fianchetti.
- PALAZZO VENDRAMIN CALERGI (Now the Municipal Casino): Typical example of Renaissance architecture. In 1883 Wagner died, and in remembrance of the composer a mural portrait by Gabriele D´Annunzio of the composer has been placed on the wall of the garden.
- PALAZZO LABIA: The Labia's were a wealthy merchant family from Catalogna who in 1646 bought the right to be Venetian nobles. Towards the end of the century they built this prestigious palace. In 1745-50 Tiepolo decorated the ballroom with frescoes. In 1964 it became the seat of RAI (Italian television network). The frescoes can be seen by appointment or during concerts.
SAN POLO
- · PONTE DI RIALTO: This is the oldest bridge that connects the two sides of the Grand Canal. It has probably existed since 1172, first built with wood. The bridge was designed by Antonio da Ponte and inaugurated in 1591.
- · PALAZZO DEI CAMERLENGHI: Used by magistrates as the financial center of Venice. The ground floor had prison cells used to hold citizens that evaded their taxes.
- · FABBRICHE NUOVE: Planned by Sansovino in 1555, these buildings were used as business centers.
- · CAMPO SAN POLO: Named after the sestriere, it became its current size in 1750 after filling in the Sant´Antonio Canal. The races, bullfighting and masked festivals of Carnevale used to take place here.
- · CASA GOLDNI: 15th century palace. It is believed that in 1707 Carlo Goldoni was born in this house. 18th century comedian playwright, today the palace serves as the Theatre Museum in memory of Goldoni.
- · SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO: This scuola was founded in 1478 with the intention of the mutual benefit of celebrating the paintings of Tintoretto that decorate the rooms.
- · SCUOLA GRANDE DI S. GIOVANNI EVANGELISTA: Fraternity founded in 1307. In the 15th century this building was constructed by the Lombardy's who chose to create the impressive entrance in the Renaissance style.
SANTA CROCE
- · FONDACO DEI TURCHI: Originally built as the private residence of the Pesaro family in the 13th century, in 1621 the Republic rented it from the Pesaro's in order to give it to the Turkish merchants as their business and living quarters. Today it serves as the Natural History Museum, collecting flora and fauna from the lagoon area.
- · PALAZZO MONCENIGO: Antique residence donated in 1954 to the city of Venice, it still maintains the 18th century furnishings and today it is the Museum of Dress and Fabrics.
- · CA´ PESARO: Built by the Pesaro's in 1628, this palace is a typical example of Baroque-Venetian architecture. Today it is the Museum of Modern Art in Venice and includes work from the masters of the 19th and 20th centuries.
- · PALAZZO CORNER DELLA REGINA: Constructed in the 18th century by Domenici Rossi. Caterina Corner was born in 1454 and became the Queen of Cyprus by marriage in 1471, and for that reason this palace is known as the palace of the Queen.
DORSODURO
- · SQUERO DI SAN TROVASO: An old building that still serves as a squero, a center where gondolas are built and repaired. Started in the 17th century, it still functions today. The carpenters were often from the mountainous mainland, which explains the architectural style of the building.
- · PALAZZO ZENOBIO: Originally in Gothic style, this palace belonged to the Morosini family. In the 18th century it was sold to the Zenobio family who completely restored it under the direction of architect Antonio Gasperi.
- · PONTE DEI PUGNI: It is called The Bridge of Punches because Venetians from two different sides of the city, the Castellani and the Nicolotti fought on this bridge, and the footprints of the starting point of the battles still exist today.
- · CAMPO SANTA MARGHERITA: Picturesque campo surrounded by antique palaces from the 14th century and the harmonious church which today serves as the auditorium of the university. The old bell tower still displays decorations from the baroque period. In reality the campo is a meeting place for young Venetians.
- · CA´ REZZONICO: Famous residence started by the Longhena family in 1667 then remained incomplete until the Rezzonico family (who would become the owners) finished it with architect Giorgio Massari, who made notable changes, such as a grand staircase and a ballroom with frescoes by Crosato. Today it is the Museum of 18th Century Venice with paintings and furnishings from numerous palaces from that time.
- · GALLERIE DELL´ACCADEMIA: The largest collection of Venetian art in existence, the Accademia is housed in three buildings once belonging to a religious order. In 1807 Napoleon transferred the Accademia in its current place and the collection became larger with the addition of works from churches and monasteries.
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