Venice (Italy) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Venice with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City of Venice (Italy)
Venice – a city in northeastern Italy, the capital of the province Veneto. Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the most unique and famous cities in the world the historical center of which is built on 118 islands of the Venetian lagoons. Venice is awesome, fabulous, romantic. More than 20 million tourists come here to see the charming canals, exquisite architecture and bridges, ride on gondolas and listen to the songs of the gondoliers, walk along the San Marco and take a picture of the Rialto Bridge, taste the local cuisine and feel the venetian atmosphere. Venice is a city that every day buzzes like a disturbed hive, and freezes in the evening, this a place that has hardly changed in 6 centuries in appearance and in which no cars at all.
Venice is located in the Adriatic Sea practically at the latitude of our Krasnodar region. The historic center is located on a multitude of islands separated by canals and connected by bridges which is called “Sestieri”. It includes the Cannaregio districts, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and San Marco, where The main monuments and sights are located. Of the other of the islands of the Venice lagoon, Murano, Torcello, San Francesco del Deserto and Burano. Venice’s architecture is special architectural style, which is called the Venetian. Most of the monuments of architecture and culture were built in period from the 12th to the 16th century. Interestingly, most historical Venice buildings built on stilts of alpine larch, which does not rot in the water.
Venetian Grand Canal
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Movement
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Venice is located on the 118 islands of the Venice Lagoon. Adriatic Sea. Islands divide 150 channels and connect 400 bridges. The city is a major seaside resort and one of the largest Italian seaports.
Venice in the snow
Venice is located in a subtropical climate zone. Summer pretty hot, winters are mild. Frosts and snow in the winter are rare. Although in the cold season it is quite chilly due to the proximity seas. Due to surge waves in Venice are often floods.
Unfortunately, this unique city is gradually sinking under water 4-5 mm every year. Only throughout the 20th century Venice gone under water for more than 20 cm. Within a few decades she may become uninhabitable. Bye Rescue Project Venice “MOSE”, which provides for the construction of dams around city, essentially this situation is not corrected.
Best time to visit
The worst times to visit are carnival times (very expensive and a lot of people) and rainy time in late autumn and winter (cold, windy and damp). Summer can be quite hot. The best time to get to know Venice is spring and autumn.
Gondola – traditional venetian vehicle
Practical information
- The population is 264.6 thousand people.
- The area is 414.6 square kilometers.
- The language is Italian.
- Currency – Euro.
- Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Restaurants are open from 12.00 to 22.00. Shops from 10.00 to 19.00
- Tourist tax is from 3.50 to 5 euros from person
Story
At the time of the Roman Empire in antiquity there lived a tribe Venetov, which gave the name of the future city and province. People began to settle in the vicinity of the Venice lagoon, fleeing from raids of the barbarians. The urban settlement here began to form in 6-7 century. It was originally located on the islands of Malamocco and Torcello and belonged to Byzantium. In the 7th century Venetian settlements the lagoons were united under the authority of the doge, actually the heads of the state. Doge elected from wealthy and powerful families on life imprisonment. Over the entire existence of the Venetian Republic was elected more than 100 Doge.
Canals of venice
In the 9th century, the importance and influence of Venice began to grow rapidly at a pace. In 828 the relics of St. Brand stolen in Alexandria. St. Mark is the patron saint of the city. Interestingly, the Venetian Republic was unique public education. There was almost no vassalitet, and doge was forbidden to appoint a receiver.
From the 12th to the 15th century, the Republic of Venice was one of the most powerful states of Europe. The prerequisite for this was the defeat in 1204 year crusaders of Constantinople. Republic became the main link between east and west. By 1300 Venice was The richest city on the European continent.
Gondola parking
In the 15th century, the expansion of the Turks and the subsequent reorientation of trade routes to the Atlantic have undermined the economic and trade power cities. The mighty republic ceased to exist. At the end of the 18th century Venice was conquered by Napoleon. After some time she was part of the possessions of the Habsburgs, until in 1866 it became part of Italy.
How to get there
Venice has Marco Polo International Airport, which located near Mestre (actually a suburb of Venice). On bus from the airport you can get to Piazzale Roma. The railway station has a connection with Milan, Trieste, Verona, Rome and the rest of Italy. Cruise ships and yachts usually arrive at Stazione Marittima. Trains from the mainland pass via Mestre to Venice Santa Lucia train station on its west side. Warning – do not confuse with the page of Venice Mestre, which is the last stop on the mainland. Straight lines trains to Venice go from Munich, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb.
Square San marco
The main means of travel around Venice and its islands is vaporetto and water taxis. Vaporetto is the most economical way to travel. It is better to buy a day ticket, to get to the islands of Murano and Burano. Vaporetto landing produced at special stations. To cross the Grand Canal you can use tragetto. These are the public gondolas with which governed by two gondoliers. It costs only 2 euros per person (accept cash only).
Venetian gondola
Gondolas are one of the main attractions of Venice. These boats are historically the main means of transportation streets-canals. Now they serve to entertain tourists. Manage the gondolas – gondoliers. It is very prestigious and profitable. a profession that is almost impossible for people with parties. The state maintains strict records of the gondoliers. Their number regulated – 425 people. However, this profession is usually transferred from father to son. The cost of walking in Venice by gondola is about 80 euros.
Shopping and shopping
Venice has always been a city of merchants. Consequently, Most Venetians still own or work in a store. Be careful when buying souvenirs and goods. Huge tourist flow does not always guarantee high quality.
Canals of venice
Shops are open from 10 am to 7 pm and later. In Venice buy: antiques, leather goods, shoes, scarves, jewelry products, books, Murano glass, carnival masks and costumes. Brand shops can be found in the area of St. Mark’s Square. Typical tourist traps: “color paste” and “Venetian limoncello” are not Italian cuisine. No italian ever is it will buy.
Food and drink
Venice is famous for its fine restaurants, but it’s generally considered that Italian cuisine is not the best here, but a Venetian pizza traditionally the worst in Italy. We recommend to try here polenta, risotto with cuttlefish sauce, seafood, pasta. Be careful when restaurant prices are based on menu. weight of the dish (as a rule, “etto”, abbreviated “/ hg”).
sights
Venice is full of sights, historical monuments and Cultures: squares and bridges, churches and historic buildings will leave indifferent.
Square San marco
Piazza San Marco – the heart of Venice, the most famous and beautiful its area. Napoleon called San Marco “the most elegant living room Europe “. Here are the famous sights, expensive shops and oldest cafes. On it walked the Venetian doji, Marco Polo, and in the cafe he was drinking the famous Casanova.
Bell tower San marco
The bell tower of San Marco is one of the main landmarks of Venice and piazza san marco in particular. This is the tallest building in the city, which height is 98.5 meters. The present bell tower of sv. The stamp dates back to 1912. Original building of the 12th century collapsed in 1902. Originally in the 9th century, the bell tower served features a watchtower and lighthouse. For 8 euros you can admire panorama of the city from a height of almost 100 meters.
Basilica San marco
St. Mark’s Cathedral is the main religious building in Venice. The old church in the Byzantine style, which is rarely possible meet in Western Europe. Here are stored the power of St. Mark (apostle and evangelist) and valuable works of art that were exported from Constantinople. The relics were stolen from the Saracens Venetian merchants in the 9th century. From now on, the symbol of Venice became a winged lion. The Basilica of San Marco until 1807 was the court doge’s church. The first basilica was built in 829 and burned in 976 during the uprising against Doge Pietro Candiano IV. Some researchers believe that during the fire of the power of St.. Mark were lost. The present basilica was completed in the 11th century. She is built in the shape of a Greek cross. The interior is richly decorated mosaics and many varieties of marble.
Palace doge
The Doge’s Palace is a symbol of San Marco, a masterpiece of Gothic art and power center of the Venetian Republic. Doge’s Palace consists of three large parts: the wing to the basin of San Marco, which is located the main council hall (the oldest part of the building), the wing to Piazza San Marco (former Palace of Justice) and the Renaissance wing, in which housed the residence of the doges.
Clock tower
Clock Tower – a historic building of the 15th century with a clock in style Early Renaissance. The tower is located in the northern part of St. Mark so that the clock was visible from the Venetian lagoon. Lower floor the towers form the arch that leads to the main street of Venice – The mercury that binds San Marco and Rialto. Top of the tower adorn two bronze statues of the “Moors”, beating the bell. Just below located sculpture of a winged lion with an open book. Earlier next was a statue of the Doge, which was removed by the French at the end of 18 century. The floor below is a copper statue of the Virgin and Child. The clock is located above the arch and is a large dial. with roman numerals.
Grand canal
Grand Canal or Grand Canal – the most important waterway Venice, which divides the city from two sides. Its length is just under 4 km. Interestingly, on top Venice is like fish And the line of the Grand Canal resembles the letter “S”. This water the artery was the center of lively Venetian life and commerce since the Middle Ages. Along the perimeter of the Grand Canal you can admire on dozens of magnificent buildings and palaces of the 12-16th century, in which they lived the richest and most powerful Venetians. Grand Canal rests on St. Mark’s Square is a wonderful panorama of the lagoon. Through him 4 bridges are thrown, the most beautiful and famous of which – Rialto.
Bridge Rialto
Rialto is one of the symbols of Venice, the first bridge across Grand Canal. It was originally wooden and allowed ships walk up to San Marco. Only in 1588 was the Rialto rebuilt and lined with white marble, which is called Istrian stone here. The bridge is 22 meters wide and 48 meters long. Presents a unique arcade height of 7.5 meters, topped with several smaller arcades that intersect three parallel stairs. Rialto is known for its famous open market every day but Sunday.
Church Salute
The Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute is a symbol of Dorsoduro and one of architectural dominants of the Grand Canal. This church was built by the Venetians in gratitude for getting rid of the plague in 1630. WITH this time on November 21 the city celebrates the holiday Madonna della Salute. Venetians build a floating bridge from boats from Piazza San Marco to the church. The central part of the church has octagonal shape above which rises great hemispherical dome. Six small ones are built around it. chapels. The central part is connected to the south side by the presbytery, crowned with a smaller dome and two bell towers.
Murano island
Murano – the famous island of glassblowers, one of the most famous islands of the Venice lagoon. Well, if you buy Murano glass, it is only here. Glass factories and craftsmen were moved here to 13th century, to protect Venice from fire and keep secrets production.
Murano island
Until 1171, the island was part of the Santa Croce district. In 1275 Murano masters were granted broad rights. They could make your own laws and even print coins.
Burano Island
Burano is one of the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, known for its colorful houses, lace and culinary traditions. First houses on the island of Burano were built at the beginning of the 11th century. Colored houses began to do so that the fishermen in the fog could distinguish your home. This tradition has become the main “feature” of Burano, which attracts many tourists.
Burano Center
The center of the island is the area of the church of San Martino and the area Baldassara Galuppi. San Martino is the only church in the island. Known for its bell tower tilted a few degrees from axis.
Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs is a popular landmark in Venice, which and not a bridge at all, but a passage connecting the Doge’s Palace and the prison. Was built of white marble in the early 17th century.
Academic bridge
The Academic Bridge is the newest bridge across the Grand Canal. It was built in the middle of the 19th century when it was owned by Venice. Habsburg. Rebuilt in 1933.
Other sights and monuments of Venice
Ca ‘rezzonico
Ca ‘Rezzonico – one of the few palaces of the Grand Canal, open for visiting. Here is a museum of the 18th century with paintings and frescoes taken from other palaces. The building was built in 1667 year and in 1702 bought by a merchant from Genoa – Rezzonico. Ballroom Giorgio Massari – the most famous room of the palace. She is was restored, decorated with beautiful chandeliers, sculptures and Frescoes On the second floor there is a painting room by Pietro Longhi (which depicts the daily life of the Venetians).
Campo Santa Margherita
Campo Santa Margherita is a square in the historic district of Dorsoduro. Here you can enjoy the real Venetian atmosphere: 14-15 century architecture, small shops, bars, restaurants, tiny fish market and street market. On the opposite side located the famous bridge “Ponte dei Pugni”, which connects Campo Santa Margherita with Campo San Barnaba.
Church Redentore
Redentore is a 16th century church on the island of Giudecca, built according to the palladio project. The facade of the building is made of white. marble.
Isle San Giorgio Maggiore
The island of San Giorgio Maggiore – the island on the opposite side Grand Canal lagoon opposite the Piazza San Marco. Island for a long time belonged to the influential Venetian Memmo family. On the island is an ancient monastery, founded in the 10th century, the church Palladio project, the bell tower of the end of the 18th century and many more interesting things. In addition, the island offers a beautiful panorama. San Marco.
Church San Sebastiano
The church of San Sebastiano is a 16th century church in the Renaissance style Abbondi project. The interior is decorated with frescoes by Paolo Veronese of the 16th century. The church can be considered almost a workshop of Veronese and is considered masterpiece of Venetian art. This monument of culture practically unknown to tourists.
Church Santa Maria dei Carmini
Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini – a church in the Dorsoduro district near piazza santa margherita. The church was founded at 13 century and rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1500. Presbytery and side chapel built in the period from 1506 to 1514 by Sebastiano Mariani On the left side there is a beautiful gothic portal and Giuseppe Sardi’s bell tower, crowned with a statue Madonna del Carmine.
Church San Giacomo di Rialto
The church of San Giacomo di Rialto is one of the oldest the church of venice (and possibly the oldest). Was built in 421 in the Rialto quarter. The church is commonly called Chiesa di San Giacometto (translated as “little Giacomo”) because of her small compared to other religious buildings cities.
Church San geremiah
The Church of San Geremia is located in the Cannaregio district, just walking distance to Santa Lucia train station. Facade of the church goes to the Grand Canal. Here lies the holy Lucia of Syracuse
Church San Simeone Piccolo
Church of San Simeone Piccolo – located in the quarter of Santa Croce on the embankment of the Grand Canal. The church was built in 1738 Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto in the neoclassical style. Architect apparently was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. Is the only one Venice Church, where services are still held in Latin. Dome has the shape of an oval bowl. It is covered with lead plates and visually increases the height of the building. I wonder what the church is underground crypt, which is not fully investigated.
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Fondaco dei Tedeschi – the palace on the Grand Canal next to the bridge Rialto. It was built in the first half of the 13th century. Here now is a museum of natural history.
Church San Zan Degola
The church of San Zan Degola is located in one of the quietest corners of the city, far from popular routes and crowds of tourists between San Giacomo Dall Orio and Fondaco dei Turchi in the quarter Sesterte di Santa Croce. It seems that time is frozen on the border with the past: there are practically no shops, people with cameras and smartphones. The church is very old. Mentions her date back to the 11th century. Now belongs to the Russian Orthodox community.
Church Tolentini
The Church of Tolentini is located in the Santa Croce-Sestiere quarter, opposite the square of the same name. The church was built at the beginning of 17 century. Doge Francesco Morosini is buried here.
Pesaro Palace
Pesaro is one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Venice. Palace was built in 1710. The majestic beauty of the baroque facade, decorated with various statues, surpasses the beauty of the inner interiors. Unfortunately, most of the jewelry was destroyed or damaged. Only a few frescoes remain.
Frari Church
The Frari is a 15th century Franciscan church. Bell tower of the church is the second highest after San Marco. The interior is vast and rich. works of art by Titian.
Campo San Polo
Campo San Polo – Square Square in the Quarter Sestire di San Polo, the second largest in Venice after San Marco.
Palace Camerlanges
The Palace of the Camerlangs – a palace of unusual pentagonal shape at the bridge Rialto. It was built in the 16th century. The facade is lined with marble.
Arsenal
Arsenal from the beginning of the 12th century was the heart of Venetian shipbuilding. This huge industrial complex was built to equip ships and was at that time one of the largest industries Europe. Now it houses the Maritime Historical Museum.
Scuola Grande di San Marco
Scuola Grande di San Marco – a historic building of the 13th century in style Renaissance, the residence of one of the 6 largest Venetian Scuoli (guilds).
Jewish ghetto
The Jewish ghetto is in the Cannaregio quarter and was founded in 1500. The ghetto area has tall buildings and low ceilings, because Jews were not allowed to settle anywhere else. Here there are five synagogues that represent different Jewish ethnic groups who lived in Venice for 5 centuries.
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo – a gothic palace with a beautiful spiral staircase. Was built by the Venetian family Contarini in 15 century.
Ka d’oro
Ca-d’Oro go Hagia Sophia Palace – one of the most remarkable examples of venetian gothic and one of the most elegant historic buildings of Venice, located in the Cannaregio district on Grand Canal. The palace was built in the 15th century. Here now Franchetti Gallery is located.
Video
Maps and guides
Maps of Venice including Murano and Burano
