Venice

The Doge’s Palace was built in 1340 in traditional Gothic style and has served many purposes over the years. Originally, it served as the home of Venice’s Doge, or chief magistrate. At the same time, it also housed a prison, offices for Great Council members, and courts of law. 

Over the years, the palace was damaged by several great fires. Different parts of the building reflect the different styles that were popular when different restorations were carried out. This is why you’ll see examples of both Renaissance and Mannerist architecture throughout the palace.

To the left of the Doge’s palace, you can access St. Mark’s Square directly from the water. Walking along the eastern end of the square, you arrive at the most famous church in all of Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica. 

The domes and turrets towering above you are classic examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. These structures, as well as the gold mosaics found throughout the church, were meant to show off Venice’s great wealth. After touring the church, you won’t be surprised to learn that it was nicknamed Chiesa d’Oro, or the Church of Gold.

One of the most beloved and famous symbols of Venice—St. Mark’s Campanile, or bell tower. The original bell tower was built in 1514. It collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1912. Look closely and you’ll see a golden weathervane depicting the archangel Gabriel standing at the belfry’s peak. Just beneath the belfry is a carved image of a winged lion, which is the symbol of St. Mark and of Venice.

A gondola is a flat-bottomed boat designed to move easily through the narrow canals of Venice. Gliding on the water in one of the city’s gondola taxis, you’ll see that the boat is controlled by one person, the gondolier, who stands at the rear of the boat.

As you make your way through Venice, you’ll notice that many people get around along waterways called canals. As Venice was built upon a lagoon, traveling along canals in water buses or taxis makes sense. The Grand Canal is the main and most important canal of the city. 

The Rialto Bridge as it stands today was designed by Antonio da Ponte and completed in 1591. The bridge’s design is usually credited to Antonio da Ponte, who certainly oversaw the bridge construction, but some architectural historians believe it was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi.

In 1514, the rebuilt bridge was seriously damaged by a fire and rebuilt once again—only to collapse only 10 years later! At that point, it finally occurred to city officials that a stone bridge was the way to go. It sits precisely at the dividing line between Venice’s San Marco and San Polo districts.

Like many structures in Venice, it is made from highly durable stone brought into Italy from Istria in what is now Croatia. The bridge crosses the canal with a single span, or arch. It is lined on either side with shops and covered by a portico supported by stone columns.

The same fire that damaged the Rialto Bridge in 1514 also destroyed many buildings along the San Polo side of the Grand Canal. These buildings, which were later rebuilt, included pallazos, or palaces for the wealthy and a mint where coins were manufactured.

Along a few stretches on either side, a narrow walkway separates the buildings from the canal, but most buildings extend right up to the water. Today, this area, with its many shops and restaurants, is a thriving commercial district catering to the many thousands of tourists who visit Venice every year.

Venice is famous for its gondolas, but look around and you’ll quickly notice that the canals are filled with many different types of boats in all shapes and sizes. Think of all the types of vehicles that use the roads in a big city: delivery trucks and trucks carrying freight, moving vans, construction vehicles of various sorts, ambulances and fire trucks, taxis and buses, family cars, etc.

St. Mark’s Square is the largest square in Venice and also the location of many of the city’s important government offices. Many consider St. Mark’s Square to be the very heart of the city, and it is used as a central meeting place by Venetians and tourists alike. Standing in the center of the square, you’ll find yourself surrounded by landmark buildings including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile.

Face the north side of St. Mark’s Square and you’ll see St. Mark’s Basilica. This building was the Doge’s chapel until 1807 and then became the seat of the Archbishop. While the main structure was completed around 1071, the church’s decoration has been added to over the years.

The overall goal was to make the basilica as beautiful and grand as possible. For example, the altarpiece is called the Pala d’Oro, or Golden Pall, because it is made of a panel of gold and jewels.

As Venice is built upon water, buildings often decay and need to be rebuilt. The Doge’s Palace is no exception. Though you won’t see any major signs of decay because, in the late 19th century, the Italian government put into effect a major renovation. In 1923, the building was turned into a museum run by the City Council. In 1996, the palace became an official Civic Museums of Venice site.

As you stroll through the square toward the lagoon, you’ll come to a smaller square in the south east corner. This section is known as the Piazzetta, meaning “Little Piazza.” These two areas have always been a place where people meet for social, political, or religious gatherings. 

The bridge is made of white limestone and is an example of Baroque architecture. Viewing the bridge from the canal below, you’ll see several carved faces along the bottom arch. Each face reflects a different emotion.

There are two small windows with hand-carved stone bars on either side of the bridge. Legend has it that as prisoners crossed the bridge to their cells they would let out a long, sad sigh as they got their last look at freedom through the windows.