BASILICA DI SAN MARCO and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Basilica Di San Marco - Grand

Church

Located in Piazza San Marco, The Basilica of San Marco is one of the main attractions in Venice. Here is some information about this Basilica which have inspired me and the thousands of visitors that visit each day. . . This Basilica has a fascinating blend of different building phases & influences.
The first church was built to keep the remains of St. Mark, stolen from Alexandria brought by two seafarers to Venice. The only remaining of the 1st & the 2nd buildings are a few fragments found in the crypt under the cross.
The 3rd building, that found today was built by Doge Domenico Contarini and dates from 1063. Contarini was very influenced by the Romanesque architecture of Northern Italy and so wanted this 3rd building to convey this style.
The Ground Plan of this Basilica consists of a Greek Cross having two side aisles, a main dome over the crossing, 4 huge domes situated on each arm of the cross with colonades linking the grand pilars that holds the dome.
In 1204 there were alterations to the Contarini building such as raising of the domes, adding a Northern porch and a portico on the western facade. Ruins of the crusades were used as decoration and marble mosaics manifested the vaults and later between the 14th and the 16th century the exterior was decorated in Gothic style together with sculptures & tabernacles.
The artistically decorated facade has five doorways with the middle main one holding replicas of St. Mark's four famous bronze hourses and ascending angels lifting one's vision to the highest towering statue of St. Mark.
The Basilica of St. Mark was consecrated in 1094 and was then recognized as an offical state church. The consecration was held in the presence of Emperor Henry IV.
The Interior of the Basilica boasts of rich mosaics, so rich that are unlikely to find in other western churches.

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Address: Situated in Piazza San Marco
Directions: On arrival by water taxi stop at the Canal by the Piazzetta of San Marco which will lead you to the Piazza of San Marco. The Basilica will not be missed judging by its imposing facade

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San Marco and Piazza: PIAZZA SAN MARCO

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Updated by STEFZAMM

on Oct 1, 2004

Piazza San Marco...

Venice revolvs around Piazza San Marco, hoasting the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, Il Campanile, religious and political buildings, souvenir stalls, shops, cafes, restaurants, galaries & exhibitions, basically the stepping stone for all tourists visiting Venice..... contrasting to the many fruit trees and the canal running accross it dating before 912 on the construction of the Campanile.
The 3 most famous cafes today are Cafe Lavena, Cafe Quadri and Cafe Florian situated under the baroque arches of the Procuratie, having their own bands in the summer season.

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Address: Main Square

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Canal Grande: THE GRAND CANAL

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Updated by STEFZAMM

on Oct 8, 2004

View of the Grand Canal

�The most beautiful street in the world� � Phillippe De Commynes, Charles 8 of France, Ambassador in 1495�..
If only all of the streets in the World were a �Canalazzo�, a perfect slide through canal and palazzo, a waterway through 120 palaces and 15 churches, this world would have been a more magnificent splendour.
This waterway is about 5 meters deep and 30 to 70 meters wide, 21.5 miles long from the heart of the city Piazzale Roma to St. Mark�s Square.
To view this canal one should take a waterbus or vaporetto.
No. 1 stops at every stage
No. 82 stops at the station, Rialto and St. Mark�s Square.

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Bridges: IL PONTE RIALTO

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Updated by STEFZAMM

on Oct 11, 2004

On the Ponte Rialto...

This bridge is another big attraction in Venice. For a long time it was the only bridge over the canal grande. The name was derived from "Rivus Altus" meaning high rank, the name given to the first settlement on the island.
Today it is surrounded by many restaurants and shops.
One can actually go on the bridge for a good view of the canal grande.

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Markets: THE RIALTO MARKETS & THE PESCHERIA

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Written by STEFZAMM

on Oct 11, 2004

View from the Rialto, very close to

Rialto market.

The Rialto market situated very close to the Ponte Rialto, formerly known as trade marks for the trading of coal, wine, oil, fish, fruit, vegetables, rich textiles and spices. A walk through the Rialto area shall not be missed, for one can notice the old street names, obviously named after that particular trade activity in that street.
Today the Rialto Market sells fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish and souvenirs, while being surrounded with restaurants and all kind of shops.

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Directions: In the Rialto Bridge area.

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Carnival Time: VENICE.. MASQUERADES.. MASKS & CARNIVAL !

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on Sep 10, 2004

Carnival Spirit is everywhere...

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Carnival Time: IT'S ALL ABOUT CARNIVAL...

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on Sep 10, 2004

Mum, Dad & The Masquerades..

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Gondolas: GONDOLAS

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on Sep 10, 2004

Gondolas

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Gondolas: A TRIP ON THE GONDOLA IS A MUST WHILE IN VENICE...

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on Sep 10, 2004

Before getting on the Gondola

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Bridges: PONTE DEI SOSPIRI

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on Sep 14, 2004

Ponte dei Sospiri....