Venice Adventures

Next stop in the trip...Venice, Italy. Here are the top things I'm interested in doing while I'm there. 

Saint Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di Santo Marco)

In AD 828, Venetian merchants supposedly stole St. Mark’s corpse out of Egypt in a barrel of pork fat to avoid inspection by Muslin customs authorities. Venice built a golden basilica around its stolen Saint. His bones were actually misplaced a couple times during construction.

Venice created the official doge’s chapel in its own multicultural imagine, with Byzantine onion-bulb domes, Greek cross layout, and Egyptian marble walls. An Egyptian porphyry status supposedly representing four emperors of ancient Rome looted from Constantinople.

There’s no fee to tour the main part of the basilica, and even booking an entry time online is free. There are three smaller museums within the basilica, which you’ll have to pay an entry to see.

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

This is right behind St. Mark’s basilica. The Doge’s Palace, or “Palazzo Ducale” is the former home of Venice’s rulers, the Doges (or Dukes). The people who governed the city lived and ruled from these rooms. It housed the city’s court and convicted prisoners. The Palazzo Ducale dates back to the 14^th century.

There are two primary highlights of the Palazoo Ducale tour. One is the enormous painting of “Paradise” by Tintoretto, which covers an entire wall in the Council Hall. This room is where meetings were held by as many as 2000 council members. Tintoretto’s painting is on of the largest oil paintings in the world.

Another highlight is walking across the famous Bridge of Sighs (the only way to get there is through is by going on the tour of the Doge’s Palace. The tiny bridge connects the palace with the prison.

Campanile (bell tower)

The original tower on that spot was built in the 12th century, and it received a major overhaul in the early 1500s after being damaged in an earthquake. It then fell to the ground early one morning in July 1902. For a small fee you can take an elevator to the top and get an incredible view of St. Mark’s basilica.

Caffe Florian

The oldest café in Venice when it first opened in 1720. Note: There is an extra cost for sitting down, so stand up to drink coffee if preferred. 

Torre dell’Orologio

The clock tower, designed by Maurizio Codussi, was built between 1496 and 1506. 

Ca' Rezzonico
A palace that offers a glimpse into the lifestyle and art of the 18^th century. A marble staircase leads to beautiful ballrooms, salons, and bedrooms. Giambattista Tiepolo's Throne Room ceiling is a masterpiece of elegant social climbing, showing gorgeous merit ascending to the Temple of Glory clutching the Golden Book of Venetian nobles’ names – including Tiepolo’s patrons, the Rezzonico family.

Campo del Ghetto

This is the Jewish ghetto surrounding Fondamenta delle Misericordia and Fondamenta dei Contarini areas where you can experience the life of Venetians. It is very popular during summer nights.

The Venetian Ghetto was established in 1516, though political restrictions on Jewish rights. Today it is still the center of the Jewish community in Venice.

At Fondamenta dei Contarini, there are also two wonderful pieces of architecture to visit, Palazzo Mastelli overlooking the canal and Campo dei Mori.

Gallerie dell'Accademia

These galleries showcase murderous plotting, forbidden love, and the most outrageous Venetian parties. The former Santa Maria della Carità convent complex maintained its serene composure for centuries, but ever since Napoleon installed his haul of Venetian art trophies in 1807, there’s been nonstop visual drama inside these walls. The galleries are organized by style and theme from the 14^th to 18^th centuries.

Arsenale

It was founded in 1104, when the Arsenale became the greatest medieval shipyard in Europe, home to 300 ship companies. This is a great place for wandering.

Touring the three major islands in the Venetian lagoon

Murano is famous for glass making. This is the most popular island so there is typically always a large crowd. Duomo di Murano Santi Maria e Donato, located in Murano is known for its 12^th century Byzantine mosaic pavement and it is said to contain the remains of Saint Donatus of Arezzo as well as large bones behind the altar said to be the bones of a dragon slain by the saint.

Burano is famous for lace-making and brightly painted houses.

Torcello is where the city of Venice got its start.

Gondola Ride

This is an expensive experience but probably an experience of a lifetime. This is trip down the Grand Canal on an authentic Venetian gondola. It’s an incredible opportunity to see the city in a new perspective, as you discover places not visible from the mainland.

Rialto Bridge

It is one of the four bridges in the Grand Canal. It is the oldest bridge. Nicolo Barattieri built the bridge in 1181. It then collapsed in 1524. The current structure was built between 1588 and 1591. The bridge is an excellent arch with steps and shops and water traffic underneath. The bridge has three walkways: two along the outer balustrades, and a wider central walkway leading between two rows of small shops that sell jewelry, linens, Murano glass, and other items for the tourist trade.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Tucked behind a high wall off a quite street, sits the third most visited museum in the city. Peggy Guggenheim founded the museum. Her father died in the Titanic and left her with an incredible fortune. There are big European names in her art collection, including Picasso, Duchamp, Brancusi, Giacometti and Max Ernst, plus a few Americans such as Calder and Jackson Pollock. It is primarily dedicated to modern art.

I’ve learned that it’s so hard to search for things to do in a new city. I want to see everything but I know it will be impossible since I’m only there for 3 days. For the most part I plan on wandering around and see what I find. I will be definitely seeing the St. Mark’s square where a lot of major sites are located and going on a Gondola ride.