Venice Icon and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

The Famous Gondola Ride!

To be honest I have mixed emotions about going. I was the first (of six people) to get into the boat. It was scary as Hades! When I stepped in it was rocking back and forth and I thought I was going to fall in that yucky water! For the ... curvier women on board it is really scary! I felt like if I moved to one side of the other to see something we'd all tip over. And to make matters worse when I went to get out one of the other women went "whoa!!" like it was a big shift in the balance. I was mortified so just beware... Secondly, it really is a very romantic atmosphere so I would really recommend it for two people or at least sit beside your significant other. Mine was not present (as it was just my aunt and I) and I felt it lacked a bit. Therefore, I'm going to have to go back again :D Oh, you will commonly see two fancy seats where two people sharing a gondola would sit. That's all fine and dandy when it's you and your loved one. However, if you want to save money you can find people to share with. I think I ended up sitting in a wooden chair. So, if you have your sites set on those special seats you need to speak up! Lastly, the gondolier was really not nice. He didn't sing. He didn't really say much. He didn't even want us to take a picture of him (although I did when he wasn't looking!). Thank goodness we found another gondola with a musician on it and paddled alongside them. So beware!! Choose your gondolier carefully and preferably one with a nice personality who will add to the enjoyment of it!

After saying that...it was one of the most magical moments of my life. Everyone (and you know I'm talking about you too) have dreamed of what it's like to ride a gondola in Venice. You really see the magic of Venice with the best views and photography opportunities.

Overall, I hope you enjoy your gondola ride. Although pricey, it's well worth it with the right pieces. Enjoy every moment of it!!

More information found at: http://www.seeitalia.com/articles/gondola_rides_in_venice.htm

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Address: All over Venice
Directions: No company is the same. They hardly ever advertise online because the prices adjust by your appearance, time of day, weather, season, etc, etc.
Website: http://www.tours-italy.com/venice/gondola-ride.htm

If you go to Venice you will, no doubt, see St. Mark's Piazza/Square. And you should. Is it touristy? Yes, but it's beautiful, and you hear so many different languages all at one time, it will surely put a smile on your face.

To know you are in an area that originated back to the 9th century is breath-taking. It really brought Venice to life for me, personally. There are many things to see and do within the Piazza.
St. Mark's Campanile
This is the proper name for the very tall bell tower you see first when approaching Venice. It is close to 100 meters tall and provides the best views of Venice. (Well, I'm assuming. I didn't actually go up there.) If you appreciate more active travel you can even take the stairs!
Visit the Wildlife
Don't forget to visit the pigeons at the opposite end of the Basilica. The pictures are always funny, at least, if you like those kind of silly pictures. It's also entertaining to watch the kids playing.
Visit a Cafe
These are overpriced and you could find the same for half. So why would I recommend them? You're in Venice! You've splurged to get there so what's another few euros? I didn't do it and both my aunt and I felt like we missed out. It's not much but when you're only there once...go for it!

I had a few hours around this area. I sat with the pigeons. I walked around the EXPENSIVE shops. I saw the Venezia Mc Donalds. Toured a glass factory. Toured the Basilica and Doge's Palace. Then I was left to wander. I had been on a rigorous sight-seeing tour so I decided to buy a sandwich and sit on the steps of the Piazza. It was really neat to watch people from all over the world gather. You certainly don't get that at my home. If you have the time to spare I would just suggest to sit on the steps, or at one of the rather expensive cafes inside the Piazza and just breath, listen and take it all in. Very peaceful feeling (if you don't mind a little chaos). :)

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Address: St. Mark's Square
Directions: Southern part of Venice in the center
Feel free to see here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=venice,+italy&ll=45.433914,12.337604&spn=0.003004,0.010274&t=k&hl=en
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Square

St. Mark's Basilica, or in Italian Basilica di San Marco a Venezia, is the most famous church in Venice. The first St Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge’s Palace, constructed in 828. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832. The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica in 1063. Recently, historian Andrew Chugg has suggested that the body of St. Mark interred in the Basilica may be the body of Alexander the Great. Chugg bases his theory on the fact that Alexander's body was "lost" at about the same time as the body of St. Mark was "found" in Alexandria and taken to Venice. They are currently trying to get the Vatican to allow investigation of the body.

While just staring in awe at the basilica make sure to notice the Triumphal Quadriga or Horses of Saint Mark. This was, personally, the best story behind the basilica. A quadriga is a four-horse chariot, raced in the Olympic Games and other sacred games, and represented the usual chariot of gods and heroes on Greek vases and bas-reliefs. The quadriga was adopted in ancient Roman chariot racing. Quadrigas became a natural emblem of triumph, victory or fame. In classical mythology, quadrigas were the vehicles of the gods; Apollo was often depicted driving his quadriga across the heavens, bringing daylight with him and dispersing the darkness of night. Well, in 1797, Napoleon carried the quadriga off to Paris where they were used in the design of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. From that date Italians have HATED Napoleon. After Napoleon was captured the Venetians went to Paris and brought their horses back home. However, due to the effects of atmospheric pollution, the original quadriga was retired to a museum and replaced with a replica in the 1980s. The Triumphal Quadriga in Venice is the only surviving ancient quadriga. Don't bypass these historical markers.

Much of the historical information was taken from Wikipedia.

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Address: St. Mark's Basilica in St. Mark's Piazza
Directions: It's in the center of the Southern most part of Venice.
Website: http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/index.bsm

Basilica of St Mary of Health/Salvation

This beautiful basillica (church) was built to help cure a plague that was ravaging Venice in 1629 killing over a third of the population. This new church was resurrected and dedicated to the Virgin Mary herself.

You can see this across the water from St. Mark's plaza. Public transportation on water taxi can get you here.

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Directions: Across the water from St. Mark's plaza. Can't miss it!
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_della_Salute

A great way to get to know Venice is by taking one of the many boat tours offered. The hotel you stay at can hook you up or if you buy a packaged tour they will probably include one. This is a great way to get an introduction to Venice. You get to see the beautiful colors, people, customs, transportation, etc. Here are a few pictures from our boat cruise.

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Website: http://www.veniceguideandboat.it/boat-tours.html

Since you can't spend the entire trip in a gondola or boat explore the city by foot. While doing so you will walk over many, many bridges. But none of them will be quite as historical, important, or unique as walking across the Accademia Bridge.

This bridge is the only wooden bridge in Venice. It crosses the Grand Canal so the chances of missing it are slim.

It was originally built as a temporary bridge in 1932.

Tha area around the Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal is home to the Accademia galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim collection. The Accademia galleries house some of the best Venetian art, including Titian, Tintoretto, Bellini and Giambono.

http://www.vacationidea.com/venice/accademia_bridge.html

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Directions: Crosses the Grand Canal toward the Southern end
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_dell'Accademia

The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) is one of the three bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and probably the most famous in the city.

The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance.

The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge. So it was replaced around 1250 by a wooden bridge. This structure had two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. The connection with the market eventually led to a change of name for the bridge. During the first half of the 15th century two rows of shops were built along the sides of the bridge. The rents brought an income to the State Treasury, which helped maintain the bridge.

Maintenance was vital for the timber bridge. It was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed again in 1524.

The idea of rebuilding the bridge in stone was first proposed in 1503, and several projects were considered over the following decades. The Venetian Senate appointed three noble provveditori to oversee a design competition for the rebuilding of the bridge, which included Jacopo Foscarini, Alvise Zorzi, and Marcantonio Barbaro of the noble Barbaro family. In 1551 the provveditori requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, and plans were offered by famous architects such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, all of which involved a Classical approach with several arches, officially judged inappropriate to the situation. Even Michelangelo was considered to design the bridge.

The present stone bridge, a single span, was designed by Antonio da Ponte, and completed in 1591. It is remarkably similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

Taken from wikipedia

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Directions: Crossing the Grand Canal
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rialto_Bridge

The art if murano glass blowing is one of the trademarks of Venice. Although quite expensive, you get what you pay for!

It is really neat to watch men actually demonstrate this artform that is dying out due to technology. Because it isn't a skill learned in college men have to actually be an apprentice to learn this art form. Thus, it is a career that is becoming extinct in today's age.

After watching the demonstration you will more-than-likely be ushered into the murano glass shop. Watch your eyes! You might need sunglasses! It is absolutely breath-taking. There are demonstrations and "sales" that will be presented. Find something you will like and pay the extra euros. It's well worth it!

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Directions: Ask your hotel for help.....Our tour guide offered us a small place right off the Square

"The Bridge of Sighs is one of many bridges in Venice. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was designed by Antoni Contino (whose uncle Antonio da Ponte had designed the Rialto Bridge), and built between 1600 and 1603.

The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge name, given by Lord Byron in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built, and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals[1].

A local legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge. This legend played a key part in the 1979 film A Little Romance."

Taken from Wikipedia

Not only was the bridge the last glimpse for prisoners. It was were family members stood when prisoners were walking back to Doge's Palace and the Square for their public execution. Family would wait on the bridge where tourists stand and wave to the convict for their final farewell.

This is a very famous bridge and at different parts of the day will get very crowded. It's best to take your snap shot and get out of the way for others to do the same. However, it's not crowded at all parts of the day when you can gaze at it and go back in time to watch old prisoners say their final fairwells to Venice.

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Directions: It is connected to Doge's Palace on the side of St. Mark's Square facing the water
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_of_Sighs

The Doge's Palace is a gothic palace in Venice. In Italian it is called the Palazzo Ducale di Venezia. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice.

[For about a thousand years, the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice was styled the Doge (in ven. Doxe), a rare but not unique Italian title derived from the Latin Dux, as the major Italian parallels Duce and Duca and the English Duke. Doges of Venice were elected for life by the city-state's aristocracy. Commonly the person selected as Doge was the shrewdest elder in the city. The Venetian combination of elaborate monarchic pomp and a republican (though "aristocrati") constitution with intricate checks and balances makes La serenissima Venice a textbook example of a crowned republic.]

Its two most visible facades look towards the Venetian Lagoon and St Mark's Square, or rather the Piazzetta. The use of arcading in the lower stories produces an interesting "gravity-defying" effect. There is also effective use of colour contrasts.

The current palace was largely constructed from 1309 to 1424, designed perhaps by Filippo Calendario. It replaced earlier fortified buildings of which relatively little is known. Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon created the Porta della Carta in 1442, a monumental late-gothic gate on the Piazzetta side of the palace. This gate leads to a central courtyard.

The palace was badly damaged by fire in 1574. In the subsequent rebuilding work it was decided to respect the original gothic style, despite the submission of a neo-classical alternative design by Palladio. However, there are some classical features, for example since the sixteenth century the palace has been linked to the prison by the Bridge of Sighs.

As well as being the ducal residence, the palace housed political institutions of the Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city. Venice was ruled by an aristocratic elite, but there was a facility for citizens to submit written complaints at what was known as the Bussola chamber.

TODAY:
The building is preserved as a museum. Inside the visitor can see paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese, which glorify the Venetian state.

Taken from Wikipedia

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Directions: It faces the water but is beside St. Mark's Basillica
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge's_Palace