Basilica di San Marco and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

The Basilica di San Marco is a magnificent edifice with a fairy tale feeling to it. The Byzantine influence is astonishing, and unique in Italy, due to Venice's strong connection to the Byzantine Empire. Every bit of the façade has intricate architectural details. The inside is beautiful, but smaller than one would expect. Golden mosaics cover the walls and ceiling, again, reminiscent of Byzantine churches. For more photos, please check out the travelogue Basilica di San Marco.

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Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: In the San Marco area

No city in the world boasts a larger collection of sumptuous palaces than does Venice. Erected mostly during the apogee of the city-state of Venice between the 13th and 16th centuries, these palazzi are a testament to the prosperity of la Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia. The greatest palazzi were built on the Grand Canal by influential merchant families made wealthy through Venetian trade around the Mediterranean. Each palazzo is unique and built in one of several distinctive Venetian architectural styles. Byzantine elements are apparent in older palazzi, while later ones are more neoclassical in style, though the signature look is Venetian gothic (gotico fiorito) as in the attached pictures (see additional tips in this page and also Travelogues Palazzi di Venezia I, II and III for more examples). Venetian palaces continue to this day to serve as architectural models for mansions around the world.

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Towering nearly 100 metres above Piazza San Marco, this red brick tower was originally built in the 12th century as a lighthouse. It was restored to its present look in the 16th century after an earthquake, only to collapse at the beginning of the 20th century when its foundation gave way. The tower was soon rebuilt identically to its predecessor and remains a distinctive feature of Venice. Climb up the tower for amazing views of Venice.

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Address: Piazza San Marco

A masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture exhibiting strong Islamic architectural influence. The palazzo was the seat of the government during the history of Venice and is now a museum containing an impressive collection of art. It is strategically located on Piazza San Marco adjacent to the Basilica.

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Address: Piazza San Marco

Home to il Campanile, Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and Museo Correr, Piazza San Marco is the only square in Venice worthy of being called "Piazza" (as opposed to "Campo"). This should be your first stop in Venice as you tour the most important monuments in this magical city.

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One of Palladio's masterpieces, this 16th century church is built on its namesake island. Its bell tower is similar in style to the Campanile in Piazza San Marco, though a little smaller and has a conical tower, rather than pyramidal. San Giorgio Maggiore lies to the south of the San Marco area across the wide Canale di San Marco, and provides a mystical backdrop for photos from Piazza San Marco.

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Address: San Giorgio Maggiore Island

Although officially called Santa Maria del Giglio (i.e., of the Lily), this 17th century church is commonly known as Santa Maria Zobenigo. The latter name comes from the Zobenigo (also Jubanico) family who founded the original church in the 9th century. It was rebuilt in 1681 and given one of the most beautiful Baroque façades in all of Venice. The fine sculptures on the façade contain reliefs of a few cities that were once part of the Republic of Venice, while the interior boasts a few paintings by important artists such as Tintoretto. This church is located in a campo named after itself, Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo.

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Address: Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo, San Marco

Built on the Grand Canal in the 15th century, the greatest of Venice's gothic palazzi, Ca' d'Oro, is now a museum displaying a fine collection of art. The façade is intricately decorated with stunning Venetian gothic windows and balconies. Islamic architectural influence is evident in these arches. The palazzo is best viewed from the vaporetto ferry along the Grand Canal.

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Address: Calle Ca' d'Oro - Cannaregio

One of the most prominent buildings in Venice's skyline, Santa Maria della Salute lies at the southern end of the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro area. It is a fine example of 17th century Baroque architecture and was built to commemorate the city's triumph over the plague (hence the name). The churches architect, Baldassare Longhena, designed numerous palazzi in Venice, including Ca' Pesaro.

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The Grand Canal meanders through Venice like a river. It is the widest canal and is home to some of Venice's greatest palazzi with most elaborate façades (see Travelogues Palazzi di Venezia I, II and III), as well as Ponte di Rialto, the best known bridge in Venice. The easiest way to see the canal and these architectural masterpieces is to take the Vaporetto (public ferry) from the southern tip of the canal to the railway station at the northern end. This is a MUST for all visitors, and for a more romantic (and expensive) ambiance, you may choose to take a private boat ride.

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