Bridge over waters and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

We took some bridges and hugged the walls along the canals to keep track from where we came to know where we were going. We did get lost, though. The directions we saw dusk, and then returning at dark was fun, but kind of scary not knowing how lost you may be, as to when you may recognize a landmark and know how to get out of the maze.
I suppose if you get to a bigger channel of water, you then know you are at a large canal before it enters the sea. The sites in deeper into the enclave are wonderful. Locals are doing their usual thing and it is enjoyable to see them go about their daily tasks and shopping.

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Called Piazza SAn Marco, it is really a trapezoid shape. It was laid out in 11th century, and after filling in a canal in the 12th, it became an elongated square. This is the most decorated mosaic structure of all time. Besides the famed St. Mark's Basilica and its gold colored tiles(there are a total of 8,000 square meters of mosiac tiles), there is the adjacent Doge's Palace. At the other end of the square is a large building constructed under Napoleon times to hold a ballroom. It is now the Correr Museo, which is a great place to visit, as well as the Archelogical Museo The buildings on either side are the old and new Procurator offices that controlled much of Venice activity. The Campinile is the 325 feet tower related to St. Mark's, and it collapsed in 1902 and rebuilt. The Torre del'Orologio opposite side has been going since 1499. Surrounding the whole area is loggia that holds many shops and restaurants. The archway by the clock is called Mercerie. The entry fee to clock tower is 12 Euro, and seems very pricey

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It has a Gothic architecture and is an extended arched columns that give a lot of elegance to the structure. The first building was in 812 and bult again after an uprising, buringing the building in 976. In 1309 the latest construction began and complete in 1424. It is designed by architect Filippio Calandario. It was burned badly in 1574.
This was a site of the center of power for the Doge. The Ventian era lasted 1,100 years beginning in 697AD until Napoleon took control in 1797. It has primarily white and red marble for the theme. The structure held the government administration of Venice, the Ducal/Doges living quarters. The latest era of decline came after the Napoleon collapse. The Austrians took control, but the palace was nearly unused. In 1866, the democracy brought it back into activity and it became a museum in 1923 when the Veneto region got control.
The lower level has surrounding arches that set off the second level leading to the real working activity of the palace. There are 35 arches and a series of second level loggia that stretch the 145 meters length/width of the bulding.The whole interior is a large courtyard. The palace also connects directly to St. Marks BAsilica in order for them to attend ceremonies and events form private entrances. The Hall of the Great Council is the most impressive and holds paintings of the first 76 Doges. But that is only one of many unbelievable "rooms" in the palace. Some include the Sala della Collegio with the gold ceiling; full length wall maps of times 1300-1800, and many large world globes of the time, Anticollegio to greet foreign ambassadors, Sala Scrutinio with Tinteretto paintings, family art of Bellini, the Senate chamber that held 120 Senators, and the apartments for Doges. The sea room features the power of the Venice era and shows a conflict battle from 1571 with the Greeks territory. There also is a wood carving of the city done by Barberi, which is a wonder or fine work taking much time to complete. The golden stairway is no doubt one of the best wonders, with gold gilded sculpture surrounding the frescoes in the ceilings for three levels. Another is the stairway of the Giants, with huge statues of Neptune and Mars, that was meant to impress and intimidate the visitors coming to the Doges compound. Doge Grimani contributed a lot to the imporvements in the palace. The Doge nearly broke the treasury with all of their purchases. Most items and expantion is form the 13-14th century.
Tickets individually are 11 Euro. If you buy a Venice card for 18 Euro, you can also enter Correr Museo, and many others in the vicinity. It also allows you to walk up to the front if you reserve ahead of time to get the tickets. Even though a designated time was given, we went to pick tickets up ahead and were told to just go in now, and did.

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These are maps showing the layout of the region and various towns. The region is not a large area, but does hold a great deal of delightful sites to tour and deep culture of the Venice crowning reign.

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Various maps and layout of the city. It is shaped like a fish, with the rail station at the end, or the mouth. Walking is the easiest way to get around the wandering streets and canals. A vaperetto/boat can be taken form point to point, especially between the different islands. The key to finding your way around is to study a good map first. Then try not to get lost. Follow the yellow signs for directions to/from the Santa Croce railway station at one end and the Rialto bridge and St. Mark's Square at the other. These signs are posted on sides of buildings. Even then, you may have to back track to redirect to the area you are looking for. Canals are a guide to use for further direction of where you want to go.

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The most wonderful part of being here is to walk the canals and take in the variety of the different views from each. Some are very narrow, and others wider. The Grand Canal is one big trafficway that I would personally not want to be on for a boat ride. It has waves that can upset a gondola, but does not seem to happen? To think of the goods to feed the tourists and locals comes in from boat daily, is a miracle feat. Boats drop off the goods, and someone later comes by to pick up what they have ordered. The locals know how to use the canals, especially if you are on the water. We, on the other hand looked intently to the next canal for directions

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I have been there-done that. The gondola rides are great fun once to get the feel for the canals from a close up perspective. The main joy is the friendly attitude of the gondoliers. Most are very pleasant and treat the tourists with respect. It is a serious livelihood for them and to make a living is not easy. Costs can range from 50-75 Euro on average. That is very expensive for 45 minutes. it seems like every tourist, and there are 20 million a year, wants to try it at least once.

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The boats/vaperettos carry the burden of getting goods to the islands daily. They seem to do that with ease. All types of goods are transported into the city to serve the retail, food and nick knack industry for the establishments. It is absolutely amazing that this all works so smoothly. many stores compete so heavily with its neighbor that it is hard to figure why more store fronts are not boarded up. On the other hand, many tourists come by daily along the routes, and it only takes one to buy to make their day. I have great respect for the proprietors who treat all tourists with dignity, and tolerate many foreign traits that can be irritating. The Rialto market has been in operation since 1097 to vendors of fish, fruits, meats and spices. It is a daily routine for the locals to come here and shop. I did not see any supermarcato in Venice.

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The outside is so very dignified, but the inside holds more treasure and the Arco Foscari. The courtyard is expansive and open and built in stages 1485-1600 with a mix of styles, like one side is Renaissance, south & west gothic. It allows you to take in the views to the top, and see the St. Mark's BAsilica adjunct to the Doges. Stairway to the giants with huge statues of Neptune and Mars was under renovation while we were there, but the impressive view of the stairs still is a sight. It was built by Sansovino in mid 1500's. From upper floors, the look down back into the courtyard is a wonder to behold. The marble facade to St. Mark's Basilica is a masterpiece of work and the tall statues of marble are to behold as a great presentation of the wonder they made in their day.
Such rooms to behold include Hall of Great Council with 76 Doge paintings, Museo dell'Opera, Anticollegio where foreign dignitaries were met, Sala dela Sculo with enormous maps and globes of the era, the elaborate Doge apartments, Sala of the Consiglio Dieci(10), Sala deleleQuattro, Sala del Collegio room by Palladio after the fire of 1574 being reworked, and now mostly work sculpted art-and many more.
This is close, if not exceeding the other famed European palaces in splendor, in my opinion.

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The impressive decoration is the golden tiled church. It is 8000 square meters, and the most colorful and imaginative work in all of the world. Totally beyond imagination how many hours and people it took to complete placing those small tiles. Byzantine and Gothic architecture, and the mosaic was done over 8 centuries, with inlaid tiles starting in the 11th century. Much restoration has been done, starting in the 16th-17th centuries, and continues today.
The beginning of the church is 828-836 with the taking of St. Mark's body from Alexandria. The first church was burned in 976 due to a rebellion. It was rebuilt and the present basilica is is from the 1094 completion. Mosiacs hold stories of the Bible and lives of Christ, Virgin Mary, St. Mark's and other saints. The overall theme is the presentation of Christ's life in three cycles. Many stories are told in the tile display of the religion and Christ and his times. The front has 5 arched entrances, and interior 5 domes, with a form displaying a Greek cross in the middle. The golden alter is 11' by 4 1/2' comprising enamel and multiple jewels. Many items in the church were from Eastern Europe as war and entitlement reparations, most in 1200's.
Today's church is a Patriarch of Venice since 1807
Entry cost is 9.50 Euro. The basilica also holds the treasury to view for an additional charge of 2 Euro. The altar charge is another 2 Euro. A Venice card allows for a much cheaper discount for multiple visits to other sites.

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Directions: St. Mark's square-could you miss it?