Santa Maria della Salute and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

This is one of the most impressive churches in all of Venice and much of Europe. It is very grand on the outside and massive on the inside. You can see it from the warf in front of St Marks Sq.

So the story goes, in 1630 the current Doge Nicolň Contarini promised to build a magnificent church if the Plague (then wasting the population of Venice) ended. The following year the Plague stopped and the Doges promise was fulfilled (though Contarini died a victim of the Plague).

There is an annual festival (festival of Madonna della Salute) on 21 November every year. It celebrates the end of the plague with a temporary bridge over the Grand Canal allowing easy access to the Church.

If you are not here in November you can still get here very easily via Traghetto as there is a stop very close to the entrance. If you prefer to walk then, from the Accademia go along the Grand Canal toward the Lagoon. Salute is near the end with the Peggy Guggenheim one of the feature locations on your way. Definately worth a look!

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Directions: Other side of the Grand Canal - near its end

This is one of a couple of towers that can give you stunning views of Venice.

This one is in St Marks Square and access to the top is via a slow elevator. You are best to get to the Campanile early in the day as the queues can stretch for a long way after 10am.

When you get to the top you will get a great view of the Venetian rooftops and note the sea of terracotta. Quite an interesting experience and a great spot to take some snaps with a different aspect.

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Address: St Marks Sq

If you approach St Marks Square from the Giudeca Canal the Doges Palace is one of the first buildings that catches your eye. The pink-and-white marble building was residence and government centre of the doges who ruled Venice for more than 1,000 years. It has been destroyed and rebuilt after a succession of fires in 1340 and 1424 in its present form. Like many of these places, it was often expanded with each Doge wanting to leave his mark. It has slowly grown to be one of Italy's greatest civic structures.

The entrance, Porta della Carta opens onto a very nice courtyard with a double row of Renaissance arches. Ahead of you is the Stairway of the Giants which leads to the wood-paneled courts and elaborate meeting rooms of the interior. The walls and ceilings of the principal rooms were richly decorated by the Venetian masters, including Veronese, Titian, Carpaccio, and Tintoretto.

To get a full picture of what happened and who did what to whom I suggest that you look at the Secret Itineraries tour which run at 10:30am every day except Wednesday. You have to book though and it costs €13 but is really worth the money. If you want to just wander around yourself you can get an audio guide for about €6.

This building is one of the MUST sees in Venice so don't miss out.

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This church has been called the best church in Europe by the likes of Napoleon and I can see why. It is truely magnificent.

From the far side of the square the arches and spires look like something out of another age - and of course they are - the Byzantine age. Inside the church is okay (better lighting would help) with many frescos and mozaics keeping your eyes moving - as do the guards given the press of people trying to get in.

The best time to visit here is early morning before the crowds and tour groups arrive. The queues to get in can get very long. In the evening the church is unbelievable with the sun reflecting off the churches golden front - the hawkers and tour groups have also gone so it's really a special time.

Be prepared for everything from beggars to excited visitors in and around the church.

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If you are walking from St Marks Square you take the middle road on your right with your back to the church. This road is often very narrow, especially at the end, but when you hit the Grand Canal and view the Rialto Bridge for the first time you know why it is so popular.

The bridge is one of only three that spans the Grand Canal and is the most impressive by far - the others are by the Accademia & Train Station. Built in the 16th century, this was the first bridge to be constructed across the Grand Canal with the current stone bridge replacing a wodden version that wasn't coping with the amount of traffic using it.

A photo loooking toward the Giudecca Canal really is a must for any trip collection. Just over the other side is the Rialto market where you can buy something to eat before carrying on around Venice.

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Address: Grand Canal

The Rialto bridge is a must see during the day to get an idea of the amount of traffic that goes up and down the Grand Canal. At night, once the crowds have thinned, the bridge takes on another persona as it is lit up. This photo was taken after a visit to an excellent couple of bars near the bridge - see my nightlife tips.

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This is the hub of the city of Venice and usually the busiest place. You will get off your motor boat and walk down the front of the town and then into the square. When accessed this way you will have the Doges Palace on your right with the mighty Basilica beside it.

The Campanile is on your left (you can't miss it) as are a couple of great coffee options. Ahead you will find the Florian Cafe and access streets to the Rialto Bridge (go down the middle street with the gelato shop on the corner).

If you go left into the square you will end up at the location of this photo which is entering the Square from the streets going to the Accademia.

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This is one of the main ways of getting to the Island - the other is by Train. The Giudecca canal has some wonderful buildings either side and is a pleasant boat trip plus good intorduction to the set-up of Venice. The items on sale at the Boat terminal are often dearer than those on the Island so hold on to your coin.

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There are many fantastic buildings lining the waterways around Venice including some big Churches. You quickly see how prosperous this place once was and why Shakespeare wrote a play all about a merchant from this place.

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A gondola ride will help you see how the water is slowly killing off the buildings around the town. As the town slowy sinks the water damage becomes more apparent and many doors to entrances now under water can be seen as you ghost on by. In this photo you can see how wet the building's brick is well above the waterline.

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