When I first came to Venice, it immediately became clear that I would return here again and again. This is a city where romance never fades. Beautiful buildings, imbued with ancient creations and chic architecture, a bright bridge and paintings... All this is united in one word - Venice - the city of dreams. The first impressions began in St. Mark's Square, . I was blown away by the atmosphere, which consisted of the sounds of street musicians and the aroma of cappuccino. By the way, the most delicious coffee is in Piazza San Marco!!! Even though it cost three times more there than in all other cafes, it was worth it. As a lover of everything beautiful, I advise everyone to go inside the palace; the very beautiful ancient mosaics will not leave you indifferent. I also liked the bell tower with the clock. Go up!
As an amateur visual arts I couldn’t tear myself away from the view of the Doge’s Palace. I’ve seen him so many times in paintings by various masters and artists, but here he is, real and real. I want to make a reservation right away: if you don’t like pigeons, be careful, as there are simply tons of them in the square... This has its own charm. I managed to do several beautiful photos. The remaining half of the day I wandered through the narrow streets and enjoyed the atmosphere of everything Italian. There are many souvenir shops in Venice, especially many Murano glass jewelry stores. In general, Murano glass and Venice are inseparable. It's like France and champagne. Venetian glass and gifts made from it are a separate topic for discussion and I will return to it later. The only thing I can say right away is that do not rush to buy Murano on the first day, since later visiting the island itself, you will find a lot more choice and brands there.
The next day I took a gondola ride along the canals. I was with a friend, and we didn’t plan the trip down to the last detail. Of course, a gondola ride is not a cheap pleasure, but believe me, it’s worth it. A gondola ride for two cost 150 euros, the ride took about two hours. We started from the Grand Canal and then moved along narrow streets. It was a pleasant surprise that the gondolier spoke good English, and apparently noticing our genuine curiosity, he told us a little about the places where we sailed. The gondola is, of course, narrow and you can jump off it, but you can’t exchange that feeling of romance when you float along the Rialto for anything. Definitely take the gondola! We returned to the same San Marco, where I couldn’t resist buying Murano glass. As a lover of beautiful things, I am always drawn to it... I bought two plates and a small vase with gilding as a gift for my mother. Of course, it’s better to go into such stores with money, because when you see the beauty of glasses or various iridescent figures, your eyes widen and you want to buy everything. Of course, I bought myself a Venetian beads in the murrina style and a Venetian ring from Marrine Gioielli, I really liked their design.
I would also like to mention the cozy cafes and delicious ice cream that can be found throughout Venice. After a delicious lunch, and the fish there is very tasty, we went to the Rialto Bridge or, as some call it, the Kiss Bridge or the Bridge of Desires. The view from there is amazing... The warmest feelings and mood. Be sure to visit this bridge! Of course, we were very lucky with the weather; we went in June, when it was not so hot. The Italians themselves are quite friendly, though foreign languages They practically don’t speak, but they are always ready to help and explain things on their own. We wandered through the Venetian streets using a map that we were given at the hotel. I liked that when walking along non-tourist routes you can see much more and more interesting.
In the evening, around 6 o'clock, we walked through the Academy Gallery. We recommend it to all lovers and connoisseurs of high art!!! Everything is directly imbued with the spirit of history. The paintings of Titian, Carpacio, Bellini, Guardi shook me to the core. Unfortunately, the museum is only open until 19:00 and we had to move around quite quickly. Fortunately, they didn’t kick us out of there; in the end, we left 20 minutes later. There are many paintings and works that are unique in their historical significance. I liked it very much, after all, the Venetians have something to be proud of!! Tired, we reached the hotel. The next day we had a trip to the island of Murano, where I actually dreamed of going.
You can get to the island of Murano by boat; they pick up tourists and take them from around the Venetian workshops. We joined one group, which was mostly Japanese, and they all liked to take pictures…. Having reached the island, everything immediately becomes clear: no matter where your eyes look, you can see that a lot of things are designed for tourists. Very amazing a large number of installations made of Murano glass, the way each showcase of Murano jewelry is decorated is a separate topic for conversation. It is especially surprising how incredible masterpieces can be created from such thin glass. For 50 euros we were allowed into the workshop to see how they make Murano glass, a very ancient factory. In this workshop, as well as throughout Italy, continuity is very important. That is, those who worked there were descendants of the founders. Grandfather, father, son, grandchildren, so to speak, a family enterprise that passes on the secrets and skills to its followers. I was surprised by the speed of execution and blowing of the vases; another master made amazing figures. I don’t remember the name of the workshop, but there were gorgeous chandeliers hanging there, it’s a shame we couldn’t get them out of there... I really liked the decorations made of Venetian glass using the Murrina technique (like a lot of little flowers). So, on this island there is the largest selection of Murano jewelry, vases, figurines, and the prices there are naturally lower. Almost every workshop has its own shop where you can buy gifts and souvenirs for your family and friends. I assure you, you won’t leave there without buying something. We bought various small figurines of Avvetturino, and jewelry, bracelets made of the finest Venetian Murano glass in the Marrine Gioielli style, these jewelry are loved by the Italians themselves. It was nice to find their store on the Internet upon my return; now I can buy more of what I didn’t have enough money for in Venice. All over Italy, no matter how much I travel, you can always see Murano glass on Italian women, that is, they themselves love it very much.
After exploring the shops of Murano, which took about three hours, we went to a local fish restaurant. It should be noted here that after lunch many shops and banks actually close, so if you need to change money, do it in the first half of the day! And then on the boat we recovered to neighboring island Burano. Very beautiful island with unusual architecture, such colorful houses as in fairyland. The island is famous for another folk art - lace. There is operating school, where young people are still taught this craft using ancient methods. The Church of San Martino is very beautiful, and next to the Galupia monument there is a lace museum! A must watch! By the way, I was surprised that all the houses on the island are in excellent, or even perfect condition. Apparently this is somehow supported by the state. For a walk around the island, you plan on about two hours, at least that was enough for us, plus another hour at the museum.
I didn’t want to return from the fairy tale to the hotel, but what can you do? This is where our journey ended. In the morning a plane to Prague was waiting for us, and that’s another story. I am pleased that we managed to visit all the places that we had planned, I am glad that there were no discrepancies. I really liked and fell in love with Venice with its narrow streets, canals, islands, and houses. Now I have Murano souvenirs as a keepsake.

Many tourists come to one of the most unusual and beautiful cities in the world. What to see in Venice on your own in 1, 2 and 3 days? Find out about the best attractions and entrance fees.

St. Mark's Square

Each city has its own center. In Venice, this is the ancient Piazza San Marco. Here all the roads that lead to ancient city on the water. Architectural ensemble The main square is formed by the famous Doge's Palace, the picturesque St. Mark's Cathedral, a library, a clock tower and some other historical buildings.

The spacious square in front of the cathedral appeared in the 9th century, and the gray herringbone pavement was made in the 13th century. People come to the square to see the slender columns of St. Mark and Theodore, climb the observation deck Campanile, listen to the melodic chiming of the clock on the tower and feed the pigeons.

This part of the city is easy to sail to river buses- vaporetto from railway station Santa Lucia or Piazza Roma. You need to get off at the S. Marco Vallaresso stop.

St. Mark's Square and Cathedral (Photo © unsplash.com / @dimush)

What is a must see in Venice? The beautiful one deserves special attention Cathedral- the most popular and famous Christian church in the city. She received high status in early XIX century, and before that it was the court chapel of the Doges.

Admire the facades of the luxurious building and take a look inside. Multi-colored mosaic paintings cover 4000 square meters. m of the temple. The earliest of them were laid out in the 11th century. The huge Creation Dome features 26 mosaic scenes from the Bible. The "Golden Altar" consists of religious miniatures, which were made using the cloisonné enamel technique. The unique treasury of the basilica has been turned into a museum.

The cathedral rises on St. Mark's Square. Entrance to the basilica is free. A ticket to the museum costs 5€, entry to the Golden Altar costs 2€, and a ticket to the bell tower costs 8€.

Graceful walls of St. Mark's Cathedral (Photo © unsplash.com / @timounesays)

Not far from the Basilica of San Marco there is a picturesque residence of the rulers of the city - the Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale. If you have not yet decided what to see in Venice, include in your plan a walk through the museum, which is located inside the palace.

The ceilings of the residence were decorated by famous artists Tintoretto and Veronese. The Card Hall leaves a great impression. On its walls are placed ancient maps, which were compiled by the best Italian masters.

The palace is located in Piazza San Marco. A full ticket costs 20€.

Palace courtyard (Photo © cedlambert / pixabay.com)

Tower of San Giorgio Maggiore

Venice is built on 118 islands, and on one there is an ancient cathedral from the 17th century. The square brick tower of San Giorgio Maggiore is 60 m high. It acts as a bell tower and serves as an excellent observation deck from which a wonderful view of the central part of Venice opens. An elevator takes tourists upstairs. Inside the three-nave church there are several paintings by the famous painter Tintoretto.

The tower is located on a small “cypress” island in the city center. Entrance to the temple is free, and climbing the tower costs 6€.

Rialto Market

What to see in Venice to get acquainted with the daily life of Venetians? Check out the old market, which has been operating in the city center since the 16th century. Translated from Italian, its name means “high shore”. They sell fish, vegetables, herbs and fruits here. The largest selection of fresh seafood is available in the morning.

Near the market there is a chocolate shop "Visio Virtu". Try it different types chocolate, which is made according to traditional Venetian recipes. Visit the Parmesan Palace store, where they sell delicious cheeses.

The market is located on the right bank of the Grand Canal, west of the Rialto Bridge. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday in the morning. The entrance is free.

Murano Island

Murano attracts history buffs and art aficionados. It was here, in the artisanal part of the city, that mirrors and glass jewelry were invented, which created the glory of Venice. Glass souvenirs are still sold in Murano today.

Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the medieval temples and the summer residence of the Venetian rulers, Palazzo Da Mula. During a tour of the factory, see how the famous glass is made.

The island town is located 1.5 km from the historical center of Venice. Entrance to the Glass Museum costs 4€.

Torcello Island

We advise you to see the island of Torcello in Venice yourself, where the oldest churches in the city are located. Since the 7th century, Torcello was one of the most prosperous settlements of the lagoon. There was active trade on the island, and wool products were made. Then two rivers flooded the land, and most of the inhabitants moved to larger islands.

Visit the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. See massive stone shutters and golden mosaics depicting Judgment Day. Walk over the water along the Devil's Bridge and visit the Temple of Santa Fosca.

Torcello is located in the north of the Venice Lagoon and can be reached by vaporetto.

Colorful buildings on the island (Photo © juliacasado1 / pixabay.com)

Cemetery of the island of San Michele

What to see in Venice for lovers of secluded walks? Perhaps the quietest place is on a square island, which bears the name of Archangel Michael. The ancient cemetery is surrounded brick wall and occupies the whole of San Michele.

The area with cypress trees is divided into Orthodox, Catholic and Jewish sections. The tombs of many Venetians are located here. Tourists from Russia visit the burial places of Joseph Brodsky, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Diaghilev. Out of respect for the deceased, photography is not allowed in the cemetery.

The island is reached by vaporetto, which goes towards Murano.

Lido Island

If a walk through the San Michele cemetery makes you feel a little sad, then a trip to the Lido Island will help you relax. There are luxurious beaches and huge hotels, which are often called the Venetian Riviera. If you find yourself in the city in the summer, go there to sunbathe!

The beach island is located south of the Venice Lagoon. It covers the central part of the city from the Adriatic Sea.

Lido Island - beach corner of Venice (Photo © somkuti / flickr.com)

Many tourists dream of attending a performance at the La Fenice opera house. The theater appeared at the end of the 18th century and, like a fabulous Phoenix, was rebuilt three times after fires. If time is short, a visit to a performance can be replaced with an excursion - the theater has a permanent exhibition about the opera diva Maria Callas. The guide will show you the temple of arts and tell entertaining theater stories. Don't forget about the dress code!

The theater is located in the San Marco area. Tickets cost 15-110 €, excursion with audio guide in five languages ​​- 13 €. Children under 6 years old are admitted free of charge.

Full house at La Fenice (Photo © wikimedia.org / Youflavio)

Carnival mask shop

Where do you buy accessories for the famous Venice Carnival? Multi-colored paper and plastic masks are sold on the city streets, but most of them are Made in China. To see a truly exclusive experience, go to an old Venetian mask shop.

The small shop Il Canovaccio makes and sells painted masks for carnival participants. Traditional materials for them are leather, papier-mâché, ceramics and metal. True, today plastic is often used. Visitors are allowed to photograph any products, but people wearing masks cannot be photographed!

The mask store is located in the city center, on Calle Larga Rosa, 6076. On the streets, masks are sold for 15-20 €, and in the store an empty blank costs 30 €. You can paint it yourself. Prices for large masks in the form of luxurious animal heads reach up to 1,500 €.

Colorful bookstore

For connoisseurs of good books, we recommend visiting a real Aladdin's shop for book lovers in Venice - the Libreria Acqua Alta store. The unusual store is popular among tourists. Its publications are displayed in wooden boats and gondolas, and one of the stairs is made of paper volumes. Two thirds of the books are new. Cats sleep on the shelves.

The bookstore is located near Piazza San Marco, on Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, 5176 - Castello.

What to see in Venice for lovers unusual places? A suitable landmark is the small bridge between the Doge's Palace and the old prison. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century in the best Baroque traditions and decorated with marble carvings.

The graceful bridge is hidden from view by walls and has only four windows - two on each side. Once upon a time, criminals were led across the bridge. Through small windows they looked at the waters of the canal and said goodbye to freedom. Urban legends tell about the sad sighs of prisoners. For modern tourists, the ancient building evokes sighs of admiration.

The bridge spans the Rio di Palazio canal. Visit it for free.

Bridge over the Palace Canal (Photo © unsplash.com / @nickkarvounis)

Scuola San Rocco

Venice is a real Klondike for art lovers! What to see on your own? Connoisseurs of beauty are advised to go to the beautiful San Rocco Gallery. The two-story building in the Venetian Renaissance style was founded in 1515. Walk through the huge halls and admire the gilded stucco, decorative panels, paintings by Tintoretto and Titian.

The gallery is located in Piazza San Rocco. Take the vaporetto to the S.Toma stop and walk to the museum. A ticket with audio guide costs 11€.

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Giudecca Island

The large island is separated from the historical part of the city by the Giudecca Canal. People come here to admire the views of the buildings of San Marco and see three medieval churches.

There is a luxury hotel on Giudecca. The neo-Gothic building was built in the 19th century and was originally intended for a pasta factory. Lovers of Art Nouveau architecture cannot pass by the spectacular Casa dei Tre Oci indifferently.

The colorful island is part of the urban district of Dorsoduro.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

This is the name of a small museum where 400 paintings by Picasso, Dali, Modigliani, Rothko, Miro, Chagall, Malevich, Ernst, Kandinsky and other famous artists of the 20th century are exhibited.

The exhibition occupies the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which is located in the Dorsoduro district. The ticket costs 16.5€.

Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (Photo © wikimedia.org / Jean-Pierre Dalbéra)

One of the places on the Grand Canal that is worth seeing in Venice is called the "Golden House". The fact is that in the 15th century gold leaf was used to decorate the palace. The richly decorated Gothic walls were visible from afar and reflected in the waters of the canal.

Since the 20s of the last century, the Franchetti Gallery has been located inside, where rare art objects and ancient paintings are collected. The only downside is that you can't take pictures.

The elegant palace stands in the San Marco area. Ticket price -11€.

Ca' d'Oro Palace (Photo © wikimedia.org / Didier Descouens)

Ancient shipyard

Squero di San Trovaso is a 17th-century building where artisans still work. Squero means a team of people who make boats together. The shipyard produces long gondolas and other types of traditional Venetian boats. The craftsmen make 10 boats a year. Tourists are not allowed inside, but the entire shipyard is clearly visible from the canal.

The place where the boats are made is located in the Dorsoduro area, 1097.

Venice is oversaturated with attractions - we suggest seeing only the very best in 1 day:

• St. Mark's Square and the cathedral of the same name.
• Tower of San Giorgio Maggiore - at least from the outside.
• Grand Canal.
• Bridge of Sighs.
• Rialto Bridge and Rialto Market.

• Burano Island.
• Murano Island.
• Dzhuzheka Island.
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
• Merceria.

• Scuola San Rocco
• Jewish ghetto.
• Teatro La Fenice.
• Cemetery of the island of San Michele.
• Torcello Island.

Venice sightseeing map

Introductory image source: © unsplash.com / @canmandawe.

If it seems to you that the travel experience is no longer the same, there is no such delight as it was during your first trips, then come to Venice– this city will surprise anyone, even the one who has seen almost everything, even the one who is sure that he is a fan of miraculous natural masterpieces and the city landscapes will not surprise him.

Venice exactly as it is usually imagined - old, amazingly beautiful houses, the foundations of which have turned green from dampness and are not supported on what, these are hundreds of extremely arrogant pigeons in St. Mark's Square, these are gondolas that seem much larger in real life than in the pictures and postcards.

Sights of Venice- these are its streets, its inhabitants, who can live peacefully in a city in which the sidewalks are flooded from any rain, these are its quiet canals, which can suddenly end any alley in the labyrinth of the central part of the city.

Grand Canal, Venice

Breakfast in Venice

But today there will be a real Italian breakfast in an Italian coffee shop - according to us and not only us, here the best coffee in Venice.

Gondola ride

Yes, if you are in Venice, a gondola ride is a must. Some will say that this is banal and unjustifiably expensive, but you know - when you find yourself there and see this colossus, which, despite all its size, remains graceful, you forget that it is a cliche and start running around looking for a free gondola.

Gondola ride along the canals of Venice

So, cost of 30 minutes gondola ride– 80-85 euros.

Central parking lots are located next to Rialto Bridge and on the embankment Grand Canal against Doge's Palace. There are always a lot of free gondolas there, but we advise you to “catch” one somewhere on the narrow canals and when you board, be sure to tell the gondolier before the start of the trip that you want to ride on the small canals too. This is because they have multiple routes and mostly take the gondola around Grand Canal, and there it is very noisy and there are big waves from boats passing by. You won't feel the charm of gondola rides here. But when a huge gondola, with the ease of a ballerina, glides absolutely silently along the quiet and empty canals in the center of the island - this is truly something magical.

A little about gondoliers - there is a stereotype that they are also hucksters and even rude people. This is wrong. Very friendly and good-natured, real masters of their craft, who will willingly talk about sights of Venice who will meet you along the way and will offer to take your photo and answer all your questions. For example, it was from the gondolier that we learned that the canals are not deep at all - a maximum of only 3 meters.

Murano Island

Another picturesque and interesting corner Venice, to which we recommend devoting the second day of the Venice weekend.

It is on this small island that the famous Venetian glass has been made using ancient Byzantine technologies for more than 7 centuries.

Get to Murano You can take the “vaporetto” - water buses, which we talked about above, choose routes 4.1, 4.2, 12 and 18.

Murano,Venice

Murano, as well as central part Venice, all intertwined with a network of canals, the main one being the Glass Canal (Rio dei Vetrai) - along it are concentrated not only the most beautiful buildings, but also shops that sell souvenirs made of Murano glass (they are actually sold throughout Venice, but here is the largest selection).

Murano, Venice

More on Murano There is Glass Museum, but not to say that it evokes more emotions than glass goods displayed in countless shops. If you are not a huge history buff and a professional archaeologist, then you will not be very interested in this museum.

It’s better to ask to go to one of the workshops located next to the Lighthouse and watch the process of the birth of an elegant glass figurine or vase, and for a small fee (2-3 euros), you can even feel like a glass blower and participate a little in the process.

Special project H

“This city is good to walk around. Probably better than anywhere else. Whenever I wander here, I always feel pleasant. I could study it properly, and then it would be even more interesting for me. How confusing it is, this Venice - looking for some place here is much more interesting than solving crossword puzzles.”
Ernest Hemingway

Getting lost in Venice is both a goal and a prerequisite. In a labyrinth, where every meter, the view from any of the four hundred bridges, you want to absorb, imprint into yourself, live with a microchip that preserves the atmosphere, speech, music, the depth of the blue or the viscosity of the gray sky, the rustling of the wings of pigeons on San Marco, the taste of ice cream and cicchetti, the ringing of bells, chao, grace, prego, cracked brick houses, thick wooden shutters and laconic crosses. And shabby: the centuries here walk like giants in the crowd of tourists, that is, the centuries are the masters here, and we are so fleeting: we have disappeared.

We catch non-tourist Venice along the back streets of Giudecca, the Cannaregio or Dorsoduro canals, the alleys of Castello and the shopping arcades of the Rialto market. No gondolas, tour groups, Harry’s bar, and better not in the summer. The real Venice, relieved to be home from the high season, but not completely dank, is November, March and early April.

We move by vaporetto, the most profitable way is to buy a pass for 12/24/36/48/72 hours, from 18 to 35 euros, along the Grand Canal you get a real excursion, slowly, in an hour, with stops at vaporetto No. 1. And if you need to get somewhere quickly, then we choose the faster vaporettos that go along the “outer” side, for example along the Giudecco Canal (look at the map and schedule of routes, which is strictly followed, and at each pier the distance and time of travel to each pier is indicated) . The same ticket is also valid for bus number 5 from Piazzale Roma to the airport (Marco Polo). Vaporetto runs every 10 minutes during the day and every half hour to an hour at night. Ticket prices – (biglietti turistici a tempo), (online 5% cheaper here) and transport schedule

For half a euro, you can ride across the Grand Canal on a traghetto gondola, which replaces bridges that are missing in the right places. The most interesting three-minute routes: from Punta della Dogana to St. Mark's Square and from fish market Rialto to Santa Sofia. You should definitely ride along the Grand Canal at least twice: in the afternoon and in the evening, after sunset, a completely different experience.

While walking, we look at the doors, or rather, at the door handles, and we listen to the locals - Italians sing in the streets, they walk and sing, under their breath, and there is absolutely no concept of speed here (due to the lack of cars), this has an unusual shock effect on the Moscow brain, for example.

And another one good map cities: (2.7 MB).

On the first day: you can start with a walk across the Grand Canal on the Rialto Bridge(the very first and most ancient) to Basilica dei Frari(Basilica dei Frari) in the San Polo area ( San Polo)

The Rialto Market next to the bridge - the buildings of the Old Trading Arcade (Fabbriche Vecchie) and the New Trading Arcade (Fabbriche Nuove) go deep into the depths, and among them is the Parmesan Palace (Casa Del Parmigiano) - you can taste various rare types of cheeses for breakfast.

Basilica dei Frari

Then we go to the area Dorsoduro, through Piazza Santa Margherita towards Zattere. We don't miss iconic church Salute (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute), opposite the Doge's Palace - see Titian, Tintoretto and Giordano.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

By Dorsoduro it makes sense to wander deeper, especially trapped by the Academy(Gallerie dellAccademia), and even cross the Canale della Giudecca on Giudecca Island and walk right through it (the island is narrow and long), tourists don’t come here, the area is considered “working”, but here there is a special spirit, and the view of the lagoon is rare and beautiful.

Here, on Dorsoduro, Peggy Guggenheim Museum-Gallery-Collection (Collezione Peggy Guggenheim, 704 Dorsoduro)- the home of a gallery owner and philanthropist, the niece of the owner of factories, newspapers, ships, Solomon Guggenheim, and the daughter of a wealthy industrialist Benjamin, who ran away from his wife and children to Paris, and by coincidence, came to his senses and bought a ticket to the Titanic and perished on it.
After the sudden death of Peggy's dad, she received not only a $450,000 inheritance, but also a will in which numerous girlfriends were obliged to pay Peggy a life annuity.
The collection of works, lovingly and with great calculation collected by Peggy after the death of her parent, settled in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (Palazzo Venier dei Leoni) on the Grand Canal, from the terrace of which magnificent views open up, and inside are collected more than 400 works by the most famous modernists of Peggy’s time, futurists and further down the list (read Picasso, Severini, Dali, Ernst, Modigliani, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Rothko, Pollock)
Ticket – 12 euros, the museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm, except Tuesdays,

Having strengthened yourself spiritually, you can wrap up to the nearby meat restaurant Ai Gondolieri at Dorsoduro 366, Ponte del Formager.
Here they prefer meat dishes, mostly game, to fish dishes, and flavor them with deliciously prepared vegetables (details, Michelin reccomended)

And here too Nabokov's spirit, Embankment of the Incurables - Fondamenta degly Incurabili, which changed names to Fondamenta Zattere Allo Spirito Santo and back. Once upon a time, during the plague, hopeless patients were brought here; now the walls are decorated with a memorial plaque dedicated to Brodsky.

In Dorsoduro (and not only) there are many wine shops on the embankments where you can taste excellent wine and take a bottle or two with you to the embankment (as the locals do). For example - "AlBottegon", where architects, artists and other Venetian bohemians like to gather. (Fondamenta Maravegie, Dorsoduro 992).

Another very delicious place"for locals" - Taverna San Trovaso(Sestiere Dorsoduro, 1016, )
The restaurant-tavern is located on the right hand side of the Academy and is not easy to find. From the Academy Museum we turn right and go into the first lane on Calle Gambara, which ends at the Rio di San Trovaso canal. Here, nearby at Fondamenta Priuli, they serve mind-blowing seafood food – frittura mista.

Then Let's go to Fondamenta Nuove (Fondamenta Nuove) for the feeling of happiness, it lives right here. Fondamente Nuove – Northern part Venice with a long deserted promenade overlooking the islands of San Michele, Murano, Burano, Torcello and the distant Alpine mountains.

Brodsky on Fondamenta Nuove: “I remember one day - the day when, after spending a month here alone, I had to leave and had already had breakfast in some small trattoria in the farthest corner of Fondamente Nuove with fried fish and half a bottle of wine. After refueling, I headed to the place where I lived to pick up my things and board the vaporetto. A dot moving in this giant watercolor, I walked a quarter of a mile along Fondamente Nuove and turned right at the Giovanni e Paolo Hospital. The day was warm, sunny, blue sky, everything was beautiful. Leaving Fondamente and San Michele behind me, holding on to the hospital wall, almost touching it with my left shoulder and squinting in the sun, I suddenly realized: I am a cat. The cat who ate the fish. If someone had turned to me at this moment, I would have meowed. I was absolutely, animally happy.”

Happy we head to the area Cannaregio(Cannaregio). Here is the narrowest street in Venice - calle Varisco, 52 cm wide, the spirit of the very first Jewish ghetto in Europe of the 16th century. Finding the ghetto is not easy, there is only one road, detailed route:

If you're lucky, we'll come across a church Madonna dell'Orto with the works of Tintoretto. Cannareggio, 3512.

Dine in a place without tourists, not with pizza or pasta, and inexpensively (15-35 euros for two) - that’s exactly what Cannaregio does, for example - scallops with stewed vegetables and wine - Ai Promessi Sposi (Calle dell'Oca, Cannaregio 4367). Near big bridge on Fondamenta Pescheria - a boat on which deep-fried seafood on skewers is made directly online (a couple of euros per skewer). And a good osteria “At 40 Thieves” (Ai 40 ladnori). Cannaregio-Fond. della Sensa, 3253. details

About food in Venice: Ignore panini and pizza. Locals eat Venetian cicchetti in cicchettiria (something like Spanish tapas, which have captured Europe with the boom of tapas bars): snacks for wine, often displayed right on the bar counters, seafood, fish with a bunch of different seasonings, nuts, raisins and other goodies. You can pick up a whole plate of all sorts of different cicchetti, for example, in Ostaria al Garanghelo or Da Alberto (5401 Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina), one cicchetti usually costs less than a euro or a euro and a half, and you can try it in different bars - they are never repeated.

If you really want pizza, then we only take the one that is cooked right in front of us, in the oven. It’s called al forno, “al forno” - you can just ask the waiter. The most delicious ones are with seafood.

We buy wine at the Supermercato supermarket, DOCG category - 3-4 euros, and if you have the foresight to take a corkscrew knife with you, then in the evening light any bridge will allow you to drink from the many summers of this city without wasting time sitting in restaurants. Every evening, from about seven, on the embankments, locals drink a spritz (or spritz) - based on white sparkling wine (Prosecco), bitter (Campari or Aperol) and sparkling water), let's join in.

Somewhere between canals and food, there is a place Italian opera.
At Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto at San Marco 2504 Musica A Palazzo From time to time there are luxurious salon performances, the actions of which from one hall with stucco molding, frescoes and everything that a Venetian palace is supposed to have, move to another, and the audience (no more than 25 people) actively participate in what is happening.
Tickets from 60 euros, details and schedule –

On the second day- after all San Marco, but at about 8-9 in the morning, so that the fog has not yet dissolved, and the pigeons have already woken up, but the tourists are not yet there.

Then - Golden House, Ca’ d’Oro on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio area (as a light version of Palazzo Ducale) with the Franchetti Gallery inside.

Along the Grand Canal there and back by vaporetto. One of the islands is required - Torcello, where Venice began, the most distant and empty, you can wander around without meeting a single person.

This is where Hemingway wrote “Across the River in the Shade of the Trees.” At sunset we sail back, looking at the reflections of tripod lanterns in the lagoon, pink reflections on the waves, and the color of the water, which has no name, so we’ll call it: “The color of water in Venice at sunset.”

To the world glass champion, the islands Murano The easiest way to get there is from S. Zaccaria station (next to San Marco) or from the train station, vaporetto 41 or 42, they stop at Fondamente Nuove. The boat takes about half an hour to Murano, stopping along the way at the cemetery island of San Michele. More to Murano routes LN and 13 sail (LN - from S. Zaccaria, and No. 13 - from Fondamenta Nuove). At the Arte di Murano factory, Murano glass is made in the same ways as eight hundred years ago - by hand from start to finish, including not only costume jewelry and small souvenirs, but also huge chandeliers. At the Berengo Fine Arts factory-gallery they make not just glass, but “high art”, Archimede Seguso makes vintage collections of glasses, vases and other glass beauties, and the best place to see the whole process (a fascinating sight) is at the Museum of Glass (Museo del Vetro) , entrance 4 euros.

We buy real Murano glass either in factories/museum stores (there are no fakes here, but the prices are more expensive than in shops on the streets), or in shop-workshops on the streets, for example in Oball Murano - website (30141 Murano (VE) - 38, Fondamenta Andrea Navagero).

Not a fake (and even here there is “Murano glass” from China) cannot cost 20 euros for a set of glasses, and even 40-50 euros is not a guarantee. It is better to go to stores with signs at the entrance about the guarantee of the authenticity of the glass, plus the glass vases themselves should also have the same logo as on the sign (similar to tweezers holding a glass thing on a white background). On pendants and jewelry self made there is a mark of the master (pendant from 8-10 euros, ring 15-20 euros), but not on machine stamped ones. And, most often, in the workshop in Murano they give the product a booklet with the manufacturer’s address.

You can find your way around Murano glass (with prices, catalogues)

Only in a dream or in a fairy tale can you see water canals instead of asphalt streets, along which buses and trolleybuses go instead sea ​​vessels. But such a miracle phenomenon also exists in reality - the most unique city on Earth - beautiful Venice, amazing and unique, which, having seen at least once, can never be forgotten. A city on the water with a rich history, culture, traditions - a real museum, where almost every building, every cobblestone of the squares is a great monument. Even 2 days spent here and the main attractions of Venice will give you as many vivid impressions as years of stay in another place do not provide. What is worth seeing in mysterious Venice in 2 days on your own?

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St. Mark's Cathedral

The stunningly beautiful temple where the relics of the great saint are kept surpasses all cathedrals in Europe in its exquisite architecture and external design. Despite repeated reconstructions and transformations, the cathedral building has retained elements of the 11th century style. Amazing fact– the majestic bulk of the temple rests on larch stilts, which clearly confirms the unique strength of the amazing wood. All services are still held in the cathedral; if you wish, you can become a participant in one of them. From the cathedral you can walk directly to the square, surrounded by unsurpassed monuments of art and architecture: the famous Doge's Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the Correr, the majestic bell tower, the National Marciana Library, etc.

St. Mark's Clock Tower

In St. Mark's Square, numerous tourists look with interest at the clock tower of San Marco from the late 15th century, built in the shape of a high quadrangular pillar. Between the first and second floors in the center of the tower there is a monumental arched passage to main street Venice - Merceria and the old Rialto quarter. At the top of the tower, sculptures of two Moors striking a bell with a hammer every hour, half hour and 15 minutes attract attention. The young and old age of the Moors, depicted in sculptures, personifies the passage of time in human life. Under the Moors, on a blue starry background, is the symbol of the Evangelist St. Mark, which became the coat of arms of Venice - a sculpture of a winged lion holding an open Bible in its paws.

Below in the facade of the tower there is a niche with a gilded sculpture of the Virgin and Child. The center of the tower attracts attention with the beauty and uniqueness of the large clock with a blue dial dotted with gold stars, with a globe in the middle and figures of the zodiac signs located around the circumference. Created 500 years ago, they still show hours and minutes, display lunar phases, seasons and the location of the sun according to the zodiac signs. You can see how the mechanism of an ancient unique watch works during a tour. They are held 4 times a day with a recruitment of 12 people: from Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00, from Thursday to Sunday from 14:00 to 15:00.

Campanile of St. Mark's Basilica

The tallest building in Venice, the Campanile of the famous St. Mark's Cathedral, rises 99 meters on the square of the same name. Modern look it was built at the beginning of the 16th century, adorned with a spire, topped with a weather vane with a golden angel and an attached open gallery - a logetta. The Campanile bell tower has long served as a lighthouse for ships and a watchtower. In addition, it was a place of punishment for clergy found in same-sex relationships. In 1609, the bell tower became the site of Galileo's testing of a telescope.

Each of the five large bells on the campanile served its purpose, notifying the Venetians about the time and important events in the life of the city: the end and beginning of the working day, the onset of noon, the third - about meetings of the Great Council and the Senate, gathered people before executions. From the height of the bell tower, a picturesque panorama of Venice and the Venetian Lagoon appears. You can go up to the observation deck in October, November, May, June from 9.00 to 19.00, from December to April (before Easter) from 9.30 to 15.45 and from July to September from 9.00 to 21.00.

Doge's Palace

One cannot help but admire the appearance of the majestic Doge's Palace, the history of which is associated with the history of the emergence of the Venetian Republic (the unification of 12 islands). Purpose luxurious palace- placement of 12 doges (representatives of the Senate) in it. Real architectural masterpiece was built in the 15th century. on the site of the previous one (damaged by a fire) and became a true pearl among other architectural monuments of the past. But you cannot get a complete picture of the palace unless you see it from the inside, where the design of each room amazes with its luxurious beauty and abundance of artistic masterpieces of painting and sculpture. Just look at the Golden Staircase, which is legendary!

After the tour, you can have a snack - there are plenty of cafes and cafes here. If you have the means, you can go to establishments (Florian, Quadri) famous for the names of great artists who were once their regulars. Snacks are more expensive, but the special atmosphere that reigns throughout will make you part of the experience. great history. A delicious, healthy lunch with seafood dishes and a glass of Venetian aperitif await you in one of the many trattoria restaurants. Having refreshed yourself thoroughly, you can continue your romantic voyage to the sights.

Ca'd'Oro Palace

It would be unforgivable not to see the unique architectural monument - the Ca' de' Oro Palace, otherwise called the "Golden House", so you need to return to the stop. Vaporetto N 1, take the boat and sail to Cannaregio. The light-colored building of unusually beautiful design and Gothic architecture immediately catches your eye with its amazing elegant openwork of thin interlacing columns covering the loggias of the 2nd and 3rd floors. As the story goes, a huge amount of money was spent on the construction of this luxurious masterpiece: initially the façade of the palace was decorated with gold leaf (for which it was nicknamed the Golden House). Its owner M. Cantarini wanted to make the palace (1430) a symbol of his power and wealth. The (presumably) famous artist of that time, the Frenchman J. Charlier, worked on the painting of the facade.

The beauty of the architecture and the luxury of the decoration of the building eclipsed all the noble buildings that existed before it, becoming the main decoration of Venice and remaining so to this day, although the former paintings are no longer on the facade. Now inside the palace there is a museum of works of art, which include not only paintings and sculptures of the great geniuses of the past, but also elements of the design of the halls: magnificent mosaic floors, a carved marble well with elegant stone images symbolizing perseverance, mercy and justice. The impressions from visiting the masterpiece are so deep that you should slowly walk along Novaya Street (to “digest” them) to the Ponte delle Guglie bridge, turn right from it 2 times and come to iconic place cities.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal, stretching for 4 km, bending like the letter S along historical center Venice is the main water street of the city. Starting near the railway station, it is like a guide to a fairy tale; it opens to travelers a box with pearls scattered on its sides - multi-colored facades of medieval buildings, majestic temples and hundreds of luxurious palaces. There are no embankments on this unique street. All buildings built on stilts have two exits - to land and to water.

Along the canal, palaces attract the eye with their stunning facades: Ca' Rezzonico - preserving the memory of Pope Clement XIII, Ca' Foscari - the residence of former doges, Ca' d'Oro - the exquisite grandeur of Venetian Gothic, Palazzo Barbarigo. A visual acquaintance with them makes you want to see the amazing palace interior and learn their fascinating history. They ply along the Grand Canal water buses- "vaportetto", river taxis and gondolas mooring near four bridges: Scalzi, Rialto, Accademia and Constitution, serving as a connecting thread with the central streets and squares.

Church of Saint Moses

Not far from Piazza San Marco, the magnificent Baroque facade of the Basilica of St. Moses with a brick campanile of the 14th century and a remarkable belfry with through arches attracts the eye. The exterior with an abundance of statues and the interior design of the temple date back to 1682. Two busts installed on the façade depict the Fini brothers, who contributed money to the reconstruction of the basilica. Their family coat of arms is visible on the tympanum. The main place in the interior is occupied by an elaborate altar with a relief composition depicting Moses with the Ten Commandments in his hands.

The chapel is decorated with paintings by famous Italian artists: “The Last Supper” by Tintoretto and “Washing of the Feet” by Palma. The sculpture of Mount Sinai and the unique ancient organ attract attention. Many statues of saints and biblical characters decorated the church interior. The church is open Tuesday from 11:00 to 18:00, Wednesday from 10:00 to 18:00, Thursday from 11:00 to 20:00, Friday from 9:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 20: 00, on Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. The entrance is free.

Correr Museum

The Correr Museum is named after the Venetian patrician Theodore Correr, who bequeathed his huge art collection and all his wealth to the city to create the museum. The collection received a residence permit in Piazza San Marco in architectural complex Procurations. The palace halls are decorated with frescoes, pilasters, ornamental stucco moldings and Venetian glass chandeliers. The halls on the first floor display collections of ancient paintings, engravings, antique statues and sculptural compositions.

The second floor presents the history, culture and life of the Venetians. Collections of coats of arms, coins, medals, seals, a gallery of portraits of doges, models of ships and costumes of Venetians from different centuries are exhibited here. The art gallery is famous for paintings by Carpaccio, Bellini and the famous 13th-century panel by Lorenzo Veneziano depicting Jesus Christ surrounded by apostles and angels. The museum is open to visitors: from November to March from 10:00 to 17:00; from April to October from 10:00 to 19:00.

Church of the Holy Apostles

The place in the historical district of Canareggio, where the Basilica of the Holy Apostles stands, is considered the cradle of Venice. It was here that the people who founded the city first landed. Local legend says that in the 9th century, Bishop Magnus had a vision asking the apostles to build a temple here, which was done in the 10th century. Today, the Church of the Holy Apostles appears in its appearance from the mid-18th century. The lower part of the temple was built in the Gothic style, from the second floor it was continued in the architecture of the early Renaissance. Next to the church stands a bell tower built in 1672 and an early Renaissance chapel with the tomb of the Doge of Venice, skillfully executed by Tullio Coducci.

The temple premises are decorated in two rows with pilasters, paintings and altars from the 18th century. Above one altar, the artistic panel “Communion of St. Lucia” from 1748, painted by Tiepollo, attracts the eye. The decoration of another altar is the late 16th-century painting “The Birth of the Virgin Mary.” Between the altar and the nave, the paintings “The Last Supper” and “The Fall of Manna”, painted by Cima de Conegliano and Paolo Veronese, are of interest. You can view masterpieces of painting from Monday to Saturday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00, on Sunday from 16.00 to 19.00.

Church of Santa Fosca

The Basilica of Santa Fosca is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the historical district of Canareggio, built in honor of the holy great martyr Fosca, who suffered for the Christian faith in the 3rd century. The construction of the Church of Santa Fosca in this area dates back to the 10th century. It should be distinguished from the small church of the same name on the island of Torcello in the Venetian lagoon, built earlier in the second half of the 9th century. The Basilica of Santa Fosca stands on the banks of the canal, with its main façade facing a small square with a monument to Paolo Sarpi, who fought the Inquisition. Today the temple appears in the appearance formed in the first half of the 17th century with a pink neoclassical facade decorated with four Corinthian pilasters, columns near the entrance and three statues of saints on the roof.

According to the architectural design, the Basilica of Santa Fosca is a single-nave structure, completed by a dome, on which the date is visible - 1741. Adjoining the main building are 2 side chapels and a square bell tower. In the church interior, of historical and artistic value are Tintoretto’s painting “The Holy Family with the Donor”, ​​the painting “Trinity and Madonna”, created in the 17th century by Filippo Bianchi, and the life of Saint Fosca, artistically depicted by Francesco Migliori in the 18th century, which became the decoration of the side altars. The church is open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.30.

Palace Ca' Rezzonico

The luxurious white-stone palace, built in Baroque architecture in the first half of the 18th century over the waters of the Grand Canal, bears the name of the first owner of the mansion, Giambatista Rezzonico, the brother of Pope Clement XIII. The palace was built according to the designs of the best Venetian architects. Its interior amazes with ceiling frescoes made by the famous painters Tiepolo and Canaletto, the luxury of reliefs and ornaments on the walls. Since the 30s of the last century, a museum of the 18th century has been opened in the halls of the palace. The ground floor, with carved mahogany furniture, porcelain, crystal chandeliers, clothing and accessories, demonstrates the lifestyle of the Venetian nobility of the time.

The second floor is dedicated unique species Venice of the 18th century. Admirers of painting will enjoy the masterpieces of the extensive art gallery on the 3rd floor with a collection of sculptures, paintings by Piazzetto, Tintoretto, Guardi and many famous artists, a large collection of antique sculptures. The richly decorated entrance to the museum from the water of the Grand Canal is unusual. The museum is open: from April to October from 10.00 to 18.00, from November to March from 10.00 to 17.00. Closed on Tuesday, December 25, January 1 and May 1.

Natural History Museum

In the water of the Grand Canal, as if in a mirror, is reflected the luxurious building of the Natural History Museum - the Fondaco dei Turchi mansion. It was erected in the first half of the 13th century according to the model of the palaces of the Constantinople nobility with the addition of Venetian flavor in the decor. The palace halls are occupied by 2 million exhibits representing botanical, zoological, entomological and ethnographic museum collections. Exhibits demonstrating ancient flora and fauna amaze with the sight of skeletons and stuffed animals of extinct species of birds, animals, insects and fish. The pride of the exhibition is the seven-meter prehistoric skeleton of ouranosaurus, which is 50 million years old.

Extensive herbariums of plants from all continents and the Adriatic are collected in a separate room; a solid collection of minerals introduces the riches of the earth’s interior. The highlight of the museum is a grandiose aquarium that recreates the local ecosystem with the invertebrates and fish that live in it. The ethnographic halls highlight the culture and life of Venetians of different centuries. You can get acquainted with the unique exhibitions of the museum: Tuesday-Friday from June to October from 10.00 to 18.00, from November to May from 9.00 to 17.00; Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00 all year round. Day off is Monday.

Venice ghetto

It is from the name of the historical district of Venice, where, at the direction of the Pope, from the beginning of the 16th century. where baptized Jews lived, resettled from the island of Giudecca, the concept of “ghetto” was formed - a Jewish enclave, which took on an ominous meaning during the years of World War II. 3 bridges, closed at night with gates, connected the ghetto with the city. Here you can see ancient synagogues, a slab with a threatening inscription addressed to those who secretly consider themselves Jews. You cannot pass by the expressive Holocaust monument. Many interesting things will be revealed in the exhibitions of the Museum of Jewish Art, allowing you to see how talented these people are. If you had no idea about kosher food, you can dine at a local kosher restaurant with reasonable prices (15-20 €).

Second day in Venice

The second day of your trip around the city will also be full of strong impressions - the sights of the ancient Venetian district of Santa Croce will not leave anyone indifferent. For Venice it East End plays an important role as a link with the mainland. At the Santa Lucia station you need to take vaporetto N 1, an already familiar route, and sail to the San Stae pier to explore the beautiful church of the same name.

Church of San Stae

Even from the Grand Canal, you will see the amazingly beautiful white luxurious facade of the Baroque style and understand that this is an architectural miracle that arose on this site in the 11th century. according to Rossi's design. A church was erected in honor of Saint Eustathius, to whom Jesus Christ allegedly appeared during a hunt. You can endlessly admire the elegant statues, columns with capitals, and the openwork rose window, which became even more beautiful after the reconstruction of the 17th century.

The interior of the temple, consisting of a stunning collection of priceless artistic paintings by famous Venetian painters of that era (17th century), will also cause complete delight. You will be touched to the depths of your soul by Tiepolo’s “The Torment of St. Bartholomew,” Ricci’s “Release of St. Peter from Prison,” Piazzetta’s “Saint James Led to the Place of Execution” - masterpieces that capture the tragic and bright moments of the life of great saints from the point of view of artistic geniuses. Having enriched yourself spiritually and aesthetically, you can move on.

Palace of Ca'Pesaro

Near the church is the snow-white Ca'Pesaro Palace, an architectural monument of the 17th century. Baroque style, which is the best work of the talented architect B. Longen. The customers of the palace were the family of the noble family of Pesaro, who wanted to imprint their wealth and power in this building. Looking at the luxurious building with many thin columns, arched vaults with elegant sculptural decorations, and the relief decoration of the 1st floor, you understand that huge amounts of money have not been invested here in vain. The magnificent building of the palace now houses 2 museums - 1st floor - International Gallery of Modern Art, which exhibits artistic masterpieces by Matisse, Chagall, Miro, Tanguy, Klimt, Kandinsky, Sironi, F. Malyavin (ticket - 6 €). On the 2nd floor there is the Museum of Oriental Art, where the exhibitions feature interesting examples of applied art from Japan, Indonesia, China, and India (entrance 8 €).

The majestic picture of the beauty of Venice will be incomplete without visiting another significant cathedral. To do this, you need to take the vaporetto N 1 or N2 again, drive to the San Toma pier and, following the sign “Frari”, see high tower a grandiose church, and then the austere facade of the ancient temple-pantheon (1250-1443).

Cathedral of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The world-famous basilica is the burial place of famous personalities of Venice, including the brilliant painter Titian. Over many years of construction, a monumental structure was erected, over which millennia has no power. Everyone who comes inside is shocked by the contrast between the external and internal appearance of the church, the beautiful interiors, and the extraordinary design of the decoration. A row of majestic marble-clad columns faces a marble wall covered with relief sculptures, each of which carries a specific symbol and is an artistic masterpiece. An immeasurable feeling of admiration covers everyone at the sight of the altar of Santa Maria - a real treasure trove of works of religious art: statues of saints, extraordinary lamps, openwork lattice window decorations simply amaze with their beauty.

But the most powerful impression is made by the central place of the altar, as if blazing with a bright flame - the painting of the great Titian “Assunta”. The grandiose (height 6.9 m, width 3.6 m) painting depicts Mary in a scarlet dress, with her hands raised up. Wide fluttering sleeves create the impression of wings, the saint “floats above the earth” surrounded by angels. The bright red, triumphal tones of the painting symbolize the strength of the human spirit, its triumph over everyday earthly existence.

You will also be delighted by other creations of masters of fine art of the 15th and 16th centuries; you will leave the cathedral as “enchanted wanderers.” But you won’t be satisfied with emotional and aesthetic impressions alone; you might want to think about lunch. Very close, on the square. St. Margaret's (Campo Santa Marqherita) has a large selection of restaurants (trattoria and osteria) where you can have a delicious lunch. An equally high-quality, but cheaper lunch will be offered at the Pier Dickens Inn pizzeria-pub. After having a snack and a rest, it’s worth continuing the tour so that you don’t regret later that you didn’t see another architectural monument, which is the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, located in the same area.

Church of Santa Maria della Salute

This is another masterpiece of the 17th century. by the architect Longen, captivating the eye with its external graceful beauty, was created in honor of the Mother of God after the end of the deadly plague epidemic, according to the oath to her (St. Mary) by members of the Senate. Therefore, the view of the church is so fabulously beautiful that it is impossible to take your eyes off the snow-white walls, decorated with delicate ornate molding, from the divine sculptures installed in the niches and on the pediments, and in general from the entire stunning view of the temple.

It took 51 years to build this architectural miracle, which opened after the death of its creator, the memory of which is honored by grateful Venetians, proud of their brilliant fellow countryman and his unique brainchild, which is generally similar to best example jewelry. The interior design is in complete harmony with the exterior - grace and beauty in everything. A magnificent mosaic floor, an openwork balustrade, wonderful paintings on the walls, unsurpassed artistic paintings by Titian.

The central altar, designed by Longen himself, depicts the Madonna and Child, the symbolic figure of Venice and the diabolical image of the Plague banished by St. Mary. The expressive allegory and artistic mastery of execution leave no one indifferent, as do the images painted by L. Giordano, which vividly convey episodes of the life of Christ. To conclude your trip, be sure to take a gondola ride along the Giudecca Canal to fully soak up the enchanting atmosphere of the most extraordinary city on our planet. You don’t have to rush to your accommodation for the night – nimble boats maneuver through the canals around the clock.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs over the Palace Canal, delighting tourists luxurious style baroque - romantic and mysterious place with a fascinating story to explain its name. The construction of the bridge was necessitated by the need to connect the Doge's Palace, where justice was administered, with the prison, where, after the trial, criminals must be escorted to imprisonment. For the construction of the woeful crossing, a design by the famous architect Antonio Conti was chosen with a roof and walls so that the criminal could not escape on the way to the dungeon. In 1602, the first convicts crossed the bridge, casting a farewell glance at the city, sighing about their lost freedom.

The world's most famous lover, Casanova, was once carried across this bridge. Abstracting from the sad history of the Bridge of Sighs, it is impossible to hide admiration for its appearance with powerful arches and elaborate carvings on expensive snow-white marble. Today, the Bridge of Sighs has exchanged its dark reputation for a romantic one, gathering crowds of tourists and kissing lovers, confident that dreams come true here and love is strengthened forever.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge, built in 1181 from wood, was the first crossing in Venice over the Grand Canal. Today a stone bridge connects two tourist area: San Marco and San Polo, opening the way to interesting sights - the Rialto Market and the Basilica of San Giacomo Rialto. It was erected in the middle of the 16th century according to the design of the little-known architect Antonio de Ponte. The Rialto's design was based on an inverted gondola. For the foundation of the bridge, 12 thousand piles were driven in, on which a 48-meter long bridge was located, consisting of a gallery of 24 arches located on two sides.

The width of the arch used for the passage of ships is 28 meters, and highest point reaches up to 7.5 meters. The Rialto is decorated with white marble with bas-reliefs. The space between the arches is occupied by a series of shops and souvenir shops. The center of the bridge is notable for its portico with two high arches, forming an observation deck offering an amazing view of Venice. The Rialto Bridge has inspired artists and playwrights for centuries. What he looked like in the 15th century is depicted in a painting by Carpaccio and described in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

Cathedral of San Giorgio Maggiore

The Benedictine Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is one of the main attractions of the same name Venetian island. Its construction, begun in the second half of the 16th century by the outstanding Italian architect Palladio, was completed in 1610. The snow-white marble cathedral was built in the Renaissance style, combining a classic high nave with low side borders. The temple is notable for the rare combination of two unique facades: with a wide pediment and a long architrave on one side and a narrow pediment and massive columns rising on pedestals on the other side. On the sides of the central portal there are statues of saints – George and Stephen.

In the interior of the church, the altar is amazing, decorated with a sculptural composition depicting Jesus Christ on a ball supported by four apostles. The church interior delights with the luxury of decor and paintings by Tintoretto “The Last Supper” and “Manna from Heaven”, located near the presbytery. The cathedral bell tower, erected at the end of the 18th century, has 9 bells. The campanile has Observation deck, which can be reached by elevator to enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Venice and the lagoon with islands. The cathedral is open every day from April to October from 9.00 to 19.00, from November to March from 8.30 to 18.00. On Sundays, tourists are allowed entry before the liturgy - 10.00 or after the liturgy from 14.00.

Teatro La Fenice

The building of the La Fenice Opera House was erected at the end of the 18th century on the site of the San Benedetto Theater, which burned down in a fire in 1774. The new theater received the name La Fenice, translated as the Phoenix, reborn from the ashes. The theater building was built on the model of the Milanese opera La Scala, not inferior to it in luxurious decor and acoustics. Based on the surviving drawings and drawings, they recreated the paintings, decor on the balconies, walls and ceilings, admiring the richness of the stucco molding and gilding.

Since its opening in 1792, operas by outstanding composers have been staged on the theater stage: Rossini, Bellini, Verdi. After a new reconstruction, the theater opened its doors in 2003. A visit to La Fenice is included in the program of many excursion tours, which allows you to see all the luxury of the interior and go behind the scenes. The theater has an exhibition telling about its history since its foundation and an exhibition dedicated to the opera diva Maria Callas. You can visit the theater any day of the week from 9:30 to 18:00.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection