Rialto Bridge and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Rialto Bridge

This is a must when visiting Venice! The Rialto Bridge was commissioned in 1588 and finished in 1592. This was the only way to cross the Grand Canal until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854. The area surrounding the Rialto Bridge is nice and lively with many outdoor cafes to sit at and admire the bridge from.

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Directions: Many signs to follow on walls from all around Venice!

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San Marco and Piazza: St Mark's Basilica

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Updated by clairegeordio

on Jul 26, 2004

St Marks Basilica

The new Basilica was modelled on Constantinople's Church of the Twelve Apostles. It was actually built as the doge's private chapel until it became Venice's cathedral in 1807.
There are some beautiful mosaics inside and outside the Basilica, they glitter with gold for a truly breathtaking experience inside the Basilica. Don't let the queue put you off (it goes down quickly) as it is a worthwhile experience. Be sure to go up the stairs to the right of the entrance which lead to the museum, a balcony overlooking the interior of the basilica and a balcony outside with breathtaking views of St Mark's square and looking out towards the lagoon.

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Address: St Mark's Square

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Churches: St Mark's Basilica - Mosaics

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 17, 2004

You can't fail to miss the impressive mosaics on the outside of the Basilica. Most of them date from the 17th and 18th Century. This mosaic is the one above the doorway.

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Address: St Mark's Square

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Campos, Calles and Canals: Campo Santa Maria Formosa

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 17, 2004

This square is in the castello area and we had to pass through it every day from our hotel to get to the main part of Venice. One bridge off the square takes you in the direction of St Mark's Square and the other to the Rialto Bridge. There is a church in the square and several outdoor cafes which were always popular.

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Address: Castello region, north of St Mark's Square

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Bridges: Bridge of Sighs

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 20, 2004

Bridge of sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was built in 1600 and is located in the Doge's Palace. It received it's name describing when the prisoners passed through it on their way to their cells as it would probably be their last glimpse of the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio and of freedom.

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Directions: Walk from St Mark's Square towards the lagoon, turn right and the Bridge of sighs can be viewed from the first bridge.

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Palazzo Ducale: Doges Palace

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Updated by clairegeordio

on Jul 25, 2004

The palace was originally built to house the members of the Great Council. Venice was governed from the Doges Palace for a thousand years. The Duke or Doge called it his home but it also held prisons and all the arms of government. Part of the palace faces St Mark's square and part faces the lagoon, the lagoon side is where you enter the palace. Inside you can see the Ducal apartments and visit rooms where the senate met. You can also cross inside the bridge of sighs which lead to the prison cells.

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Address: Off St Mark's square

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Things To Do: Riva Degli Schiavoni

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 20, 2004

This is the waterside walk leading right from St Mark's square.
For centuries galleons and sailing vessels would dock here. Nowadays the galleons have been replaced by ferries and there are also many gondolas to be seen, with gondola stations, which look very pretty and vaparetto stops along it. I found this street VERY touristy with stalls selling tourist bits and pieces - very tacky and it was always crowded, so in some ways this tip could also be a tourist trap, but at the same time it was amazing to see the lagoon with all of it's traffic and to look out towards the island.

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Things To Do: Crooked tower

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 20, 2004

There are several crooked towers in Venice. This particular one can be found when walking down Riva Degli Schiavoni, by the lagoon and is viewed from a small bridge. I believe that the bridge is called Ponte Sepolcro.

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Campanile and its Views: Campanile tower in St Mark's Square

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Updated by clairegeordio

on Aug 8, 2004

campanile, venice

The Campanile's present day structure was built in 1912 as it had previously collapsed in 1902. It was originally built in the 9t Century!
Originally it was built as a lighthouse to help with navigation.
It is 325 feet (99 metres) high and is ascended in a lift. It has spectacular views of venice and of the lagoon -definitely a must. Cost to go up the tower is 6 euros.

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Directions: St Mark's Square

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Campanile and its Views: Campanile bells

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Written by clairegeordio

on Jul 23, 2004