Piazza San Marco - St. Marks Square and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

San Marco Basilica

Well, Piazza San Marco was one of the crowdest squares I have seen. However, the crowd or the resident pigeons did no harm to its beauty - at least, not for me.

Venice's only 'piazza' San Marco was built as an extension of Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco. The larger part of the square that stretches out in front of the Basilica, is 170 meters long and is trapezium shaped.

Try people-watching while enjoying your cappucino at one of Venice's historic cafes.

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Address: San Marco, Venezia
Directions: By Palazzo Ducale and San Marco Basilica. You can locate it also by Campanile, the bell tower. And signs all over the city will take you to the Piazza.

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Bridges: Ponte de Sospiri - Bridge of Sighs

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Written by Profsmiley

on Nov 21, 2004

Ponte dei Sospiri

The bridge was built in 16th century to connect Palazzo Ducale with the state prison. The prisoners were led over the bridge directly to prison after trial in the Palazzo.

The Ponte de Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) received its name in the 17th century, because the prisoners who passed through it on their way to the prison cells on the other side would most likely see the beautiful sight of the lagoon and freedom for the last time.

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Address: San Marco, Venezia
Directions: By Palazzo Ducale.

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Bridges: Ponte di Rialto - Rialto Bridge

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Written by Profsmiley

on Nov 21, 2004

Ponte di Rialto

The Rialto Bridge was originally the only permanent connection between the two banks of the Grand Canal.

Apparently, the original bridge made from barges, which dates back to 1172, was replaced by a wooden one a few centuries later .

The final stone version of the Rialto Bridge was built in the period 1588-1591 by Antonio da Ponte. What's amazing about the bridge, in my opinion, was the difficulty they must have had building it - especially considering the instability of the construction site and the bridge's 8m height.

The bridge has shops, that carry mostly souvenir and jewellery. It's also a great location for taking pictures of the Grand Canale.

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Address: San Polo, Venezia

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San Marco and Piazza: Basilica di San Marco

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Written by Profsmiley

on Nov 21, 2004

St. Mark's Winged Lion

This wonderful church was built in 829 to contain the remains of Saint Mark, the city�s patron saint. It has been renovated and decorated several time over the centuries.

The Basilica is most certainly the most spectacular church in the city. Its main fa�ade is unique. It has five arched doorways, a long terrace that are home to four bronze horses that came from the booty from the 4th crusade of the infidels The golden winged lion, which is at the top center, is the symbol of Venice.

The interior is as impressive as the outside.

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Address: San Marco, Venezia
Directions: Piazza San Marco. Follow the signs all over the city, or find your way by locating the Campanile.

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Bridges: Ponte dell Academia

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Written by Profsmiley

on Nov 22, 2004

Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore in

the background

One of the three bridges over Grand Canal, Ponte dell Academia is a wooden arch-shaped bridge.

It's provides you with a great view of the Grand Canal and buildings on both sides.

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Address: Dorsoduro, Venezia
Directions: Follow the signs, or if you are at the Academy Museum already, when you come out of the main entrance you can see the dell�Accademia Bridge.

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Campanile and its Views: Campanile

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Written by Profsmiley

on Nov 23, 2004

Campanile and Palazzo Ducale