Venice- The city of Bridges and Romantics.
Venice has a lot more to offer than just bridges and canals. The churches are authentic museums, paintings from the 19th century hang on the ancient walls- the museums attract visitors with its masterpieces from throughout the world and not forgetting walks through the narrow streets are always a little adventure.
You can get a first impression of the city in a ride on the Vaporetto, a river taxi that goes from the central station to the Piazza San Marco- St. Marks Square. You will find parking for your hired car on the Piazzale Roma near to the train station. Along the Canal Grande you will find Palazzi with impressive facades, partly with typical Venetian windows and oriental decoration- the influence of the orient can be seen almost all over Venice due to trade over the last 100 years.
They Have Everything That Comes Out of the Water Here!
Near to the Ponte di Rialto, the Rialto Bridge you should stop off in order to go to the fish market. For 600 years the Venetians have bought their freshly caught fish here from lobsters, sardines and muscles to prawns and spider crabs.
Amazing Architecture and Astounding Art
The Basilica di San Marco is almost always overlooked but a look inside is always worth the wait. All of the domes are decorated with golden mosaics; the oldest from the 12th century show a Christian motive such as the story of creation among others.
In the Palazzo Ducal you will find the Doge’s Palace nearby where you can see how the Doge’s lived in the past. Luxuriant rooms with wall and ceiling paintings by Tintoretto, Veronese and Tizian and you can witness how highly intellectual the Doge’s were. The “Paradies” by Tintoretto that he completed in his 70’s is the biggest painting on canvas in the world. Over the Ponte dei Sospiri, the Bridge of Sighs where visitors can visit what was earlier a prison as well as the torture chamber that can be viewed with a prior arrangement.
A must for those of you that are art lovers is the Galleria dell’Accadmia! Here, hang works of art by the Venetian painters from the 14 to the 18th century. In 24 rooms you can gaze in admiration at the works from Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiepolo and Tizian.
More Art and Culture
You will find the museum in the district of Dorsoduro, its definitely worth taking a walk here as it is quieter than the other districts. Not far from the Galleria dell’Accademia is the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. After so much classical art you will also find modern art from the 20th century. Works from Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, Kandinsky, Klee, Miró, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst and René Magritte make this museum one of the treasures of the modern world. In the pretty sculpture garden you can relax and enjoy a magnificent view of the canal.
For those of you that would like to see the upper Palazzi from inside- we recommend the Ca’Rezzonico in which the Museo del Settecento Veneziano is housed. Here the world of the Venetian Rokkoko is brought to life again! The ballroom is worth a look with its painted ceiling and magnificent furnishings from the 18th century. Fresoes, carvings, ornamental objects, tapestries and a chemist with historic equipment give a comprehensive impression into the art and the way of life in the 18th century!
In the district of Cannaregio it becomes a little quieter as this is where many of the trades- and craftsmen live. In the church of Madonna dell’Orto lies the grave of the painter Tintoretto- his works decorate the interior of the church and the Ghetto Nuovo serves as a memorial of the Jewish life in Venice. Today, there are still 5 synagogues standing.
In Venice it is worth it just to stroll down the narrow streets without a town plan- the small narrow streets are much more pleasant than the main streets. You will always come across a church, palace or canal with a pretty view!
