The only Venetian square to be granted the title of 'piazza', St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco, is the city's political, religious and social center. The square lies at one end of the Grand Canal, surrounded by some of the city's most iconic historic edifices. The Basilica di San Marco is the focal point of the square - a 12th-century, Venetian-Byzantine church highlighted with gold mosaics and lavish carvings. On either side lie the Procuratie Vecchie, stately buildings that once harbored the offices and apartments of the procurators. Two columns erected in honor of the city's patron saints, St. Mark and St. Theodore of Amasea, stand nearby, while the splendid Doge's Palace, the towering Campanile, the Procuratie Nuove, the National Library, and a couple of museums take up the rest of the space around Venice's largest square. The city's history comes together at the awe-inspiring St. Mark's Square.
Layer upon layer of differing architectural styles come together to form the magnificent Doge's Palace. A symbol of the Venetian government and political heritage, the historic palace was once the seat of the Doge, the chief magistrate of the former Republic of Venice. The foundations of the complex were laid during the 14th Century. Through the years, the palace was repeatedly reconstructed, extended and restored, creating a mix of artistic and architectural styles ranging from the Medieval to the Renaissance. A masterpiece of Gothic design, the palace is replete with exquisite details like sculptures, frescoes, arches and graceful columns. The original Doge's Apartments, the Armory, the Prisons, the Courtyard and Loggias have all been beautifully restored, with numerous hidden treasures around every corner. This historic icon also houses the Museo dell'Opera and its extensive art collection.
Just around the corner from the Galleria dell'Accademia, on the Grand Canal is one of Venice's premier museums. This world-famous museum is run by the same institution, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, that manages the renowned Guggenheim Museum in New York. Peggy Guggenheim, was interested in contemporary art and came into contact with various artists who guided and educated her, including Alexander Calder and Marcel Duchamp. This museum houses her collection of contemporary art such as works by Bacon, Balla, Brancusi and Chagall. You'll also find masterpieces by the likes of De Chirico, Kandinsky, Klee, El Lissitskj, Magritte, Man Ray, Picasso and Pollock.
Punta della Dogana is a stunning art gallery located on the triangular piece of land that separates the Grand Canal from the Giudecca Canal. Set in the former customs house, a beautiful 17th-century building, this gallery houses the permanent collection of world's numero uno art collector, Francois Pinault. Here, you will find his famous personal collection, besides several other exhibits pertaining to contemporary art.
You get a splendid view of Venice and the Basilica di San Marco from the tallest bell tower in Venice. It can be seen from the laguna and once you have reached the top, the whole laguna can be seen from above. Even though the Basilica di San Marco-Campanile was erected at the beginning of the 20th Century, it is an exact replica of the 15th-century bell tower. In 1609, Galileo Galilei exhibited his telescope here, and during the Carnevale, it was used to serve as a stage for the tight rope-walkers who entertained the doge with their acrobatics.
Spanning the girth of the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge was once the only way to get across on foot. The majestic bridge arches over the murky waters of the canal, allowing ample room for the gondolas and water buses to pass underneath. The bridge was built in between 1588 and 1591, replacing predecessors from 12th Century onward. Designed by Antonio da Ponte, the bridge has survived unscathed for over four centuries. Today, the Rialto is only one of the four bridges that serve the canal but remains the most prominent. Small shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and curiosities run the length of the bridge while the Mercato di Rialto is a popular local market nearby.
The main structure of this church dates back to the 7th Century, as does the fortress that gives this whole area its name. The church was re-built and enlarged in the 16th Century, by the addition to the chapels by Longhena for the Lando and Vendramin families. The front, as we see it today, was designed by Palladio. Peter's throne, made from an Arab sepulchral sculpture, is very interesting.
Thirty years ago this gallery was a simple workshop of frames, a kind of cloths of the paintings. Then in 1993 the big jump and Studio Cd'arte began to work as a gallery with so much success than in 2000 it opened a new space not far. They are constatly organizing exposition of new talents, painters and photographers and bringing them to all the most famous fairs of the world, Usa, Japan, Europe. Of course one of the most accurate aspect are the frames!
Piazza del Mercato is one of the many squares that are a part of the city of Venice. Located within the region of Marghera, it is always abuzz with activities. Concerts, community gatherings and similar other events are a regular feature here.
Nestled within the Lungomare D'Annunzi, a public park, the Planetario di Venezia has replaced an open-air theater, back then that region was referred to as Luna Park. Open to visitors from October to May, it welcomes everyone especially student groups. Once inside the dome, you will realize that sky along with different planets is well represented here, giving you the effect of real sky watching experience. Each show approximately lasts for about 50 minutes and gives you an insight into the world of astronomy, thereby educating young ones in an entertaining way. For more details, check website.
This museum is located in the old, Benedictine convent of Sant'Appolonia, whose cloister has been preserved. The historic archives of the Venetian diocese are kept and displayed here, including paintings and sculptures, banners, silver and jewellery from churches and convent churches. Works by Palma di Giovane, Tintoretto, Titian and others are also on display here, but on rotation, so they can be restored or displayed in other museums.
This very old church, commissioned by the Doge Giustiniano Partecipazio and Byzantine Emperor Leo V, houses paintings by Bellini, Tintoretto, Palma il Giovane, and Alessandro Vittoria. It was started by Antonio Gambello and finished by Mauro Codussi, who was influenced by the Malatesta temple by Leon Battista Alberto.