The magic of Venice -- a UNESCO World Heritage city -- attracts more than 20 million tourists each year. The classic art and living history combined with the atmospheric canals and a riotous annual carnival create an intoxicating blend. Fully appreciating such a concentration of culture can be daunting, but with careful planning you can take in all the highlights.
Culture
- Get lost in Venice, recommends National Geographic in the online article "Venice Must-Dos." Take a fast, cheap vaporetto down the Grand Canal, passing Venetian terraces and onion-domed churches, or a slower gondola on a "backroads" canal that winds between tightly packed homes displaying the Byzantine-inspired architecture that is unlike any elsewhere in Italy. To explore by foot, follow twisting paths and cross footbridges to lose the tourist hordes and soak up the magic of Venice by yourself. The true culture of Venice is best appreciated on its anonymous side streets rather than at its most famous sights.
Architecture
- The singular St. Mark's Basilica has more in common with the Eastern Orthodox churches found in Russia than with other Italian cathedrals. The domes and intricate stonework attest to the reach of the once-great Venetian Empire, while the glittering gold mosaics inside recall the empire's wealth. Outside the church, spend some time in the famous plaza, where you can play with nearly tame pigeons. The plaza and church can get crowded, especially during the hot summer months, so make sure you visit early rather than during the middle of the day to avoid crowds and long lines. Even if you can't get a moment's peace, St. Mark's grandeur makes it worth the hassle. Next to St. Mark's sits its bell tower -- climb to the top for a spectacular view of all of Venice's architecture and canals, and one of Lonely Planet's favorite ways to appreciate the city.
- Art
- The astounding quantity of art found in Venice could consume your entire trip, but a representative selection of Renaissance and post-Renaissance art hangs at the Accademia Gallery, where National Geographic recommends you seek out works by masters such as Bellini, Tintoretto and Titian. Reserve your tickets in advance, as it's impossible to buy them on the day of your visit. For a swing through a more modern era in art, Lonely Planet suggests a visit to Peggy Guggenheim's palatial home, where works by Picasso and Dali are on display.
History
- The Republic of Venice was ruled by a Doge for more than a thousand years, and the Doge's Palace is where this history comes alive. In an interesting contrast, the royal apartments are close to the old prisons. Near the prisons is the famous Bridge of Sighs, an intricate covered stone bridge leading to the prisons, where prisoners on their way to their cells could peak through the carvings for one last look at the Grand Canal. National Geographic calls a visit to the Venetian Ghetto, which dates to 1516 and remains a thriving cultural center, a must-do. Shakespeare's character Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” purportedly lived here. You can tour synagogues and visit the Jewish museum.
