Image by viZZZual.com via FlickrBy Claire W Schembri
Venice is renowned as one of the most romantic and lovely destinations in the world. The city is built on 118 small islands and is connected by over 400 bridges of which only 3 cross the main canal.
The Republic of Venice dates back to 827, when a Byzantine Duke moved its seat to what is now known as the Rialto, and for almost ten centuries, prospered on trade and under the rule of a Roman-style Senate headed by the Doge. In 1797, the city was conquered by Napoleon and was soon merged into Austria-Hungary. For the following years, the city was ping-ponged back and forth between Austria and Italy. Venice became part of Italy in 1866 following the Seven Weeks War.
Here are seven must see attraction in Venice:
Piazza San Marco is the principle square of Venice. Napoleon referred to the piazza as the 'Drawing Room of Europe'. The piazza originated in the 9th century and was then enlarged to its present size and shape in 1177.
The Basilica di San Marco was consecrated in 832 AD and blends the architecture of East and West. The interior of the church is covered in mosaics, from the walls and ceilings to the buckling floor. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders. Photography and filming is forbidden. Waiting for entry into the basilica can last up for hours and it may be wise to reserve your visit. Reserving is free of charge. Once you have a reservation you can take the group entrance on the left, where you hand in the printout of your reservation.
Palazzo Ducale also known as Doge's Palace, also located in St. Mark's Square, was the residence and government centre of the doges who ruled Venice for more than 1,000 years. The palazzo was destroyed by a succession of fires and was built and rebuilt in 1340 and 1424. The palace was connected to its prisons by the famous Bridge of Sighs.
The Rialto Bridge is the main bridge crossing the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice. Although the bridge has a history that spans over 800 years, today's bridge was completed in 1591 to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524. The bridge is usually so crowded that getting to the edge and taking in the view is either impossible or uncomfortable.
Galleria del'Accademia is one of Italy's best art museums with 24 rooms in 3 historic buildings. The Galleria exhibits chronologically art masterpieces from the 13th through the 18th centuries. The collection feature works by all the great master painters of Venice including Paolo and Lorenzo Veneziano (14th century); Gentile and Giovanni Bellini and Vittore Carpaccio (15th century); Giorgione, Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian (16th century); and Canaletto, Piazzetta, Longhi, and Tiepolo (17th and 18th centuries).
The Peggy Guggenheim Museum is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and important collections of modern art in the world collected by Peggy Guggenheim. Peggy was an American married to modern artist Max Ernst, and funded a number of his contemporaries. The collection of paintings and sculptures includes works of Picasso, Kandinsky, Tanguy, Duchamp, Pollock, Dali, Mondrian, Ernst, Giacometti and Chagall.
The Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) situated at Saint Marc Square broke down and crumpled at the beginning of the 20th Century after the whole structure became far too heavy for its old foundations. After careful reconstruction it now offers a beautiful panoramic view of the centre of Venice.
Claire Schembri is an online marketing expert and has written articles on business and travel.
If you are looking for more information about travelling to Venice, you will find excellent information on our website http://www.myitalytravelsite.com
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