An endless maze of canals of glistening green, torn up by speedboats and then settled by gentle gondolas, Venice is unlike any other city in the world. Built over centuries upon foundations of fortified wood submerged in the sea, Venice was once one of the strongest empires in Europe and sought to fiercely separate itself from Rome.
Today it’s a city known for its romance, intrigue, incredible architecture and fine food and wine. Home to many significant churches, each with its own story to tell and enough pizzerias to keep you stuffed the entire time, Venice will have you wandering all weekend in awe of the sheer Italian beauty this city has to offer.
Things to See and Do
Although Venice is home to an impressive collection of amazing churches and absolutely no shortage of epic architecture, one of the most satisfying things to do here is to simply wander. Walk down a laneway and get lost, don’t even worry about what direction you’re going in. Within about 2 minutes you’ll have completely lost your bearings but will be rewarded with long sweeping canals adjacent to terraces of all different colours reflecting the sunlight.
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Along with St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace is high on the shortlist of must-visit attractions and the first thing you notice is the striking, symbolic archways that are synonymous with Venetian architecture. The Doge was the main man; the doyen of Venice. He was selected over years of scrutiny from the elite high echelons of society. He became the representative of the Republic throughout Europe, but never had any real power or authority in Venice, and was in office until death. Pretty demanding job with not much reward I reckon.
The Palace contains a grand central courtyard, where stages of construction over the centuries are clearly visible and contains the Giant’s Staircase – where new Doges were wheeled out and presented to the city. It was also home to the Senate and the Armoury; and out the back you can retrace the grim steps of prisoners through the dank cells, including over the Bridge of Sighs (which spans a canal), where prisoners would catch their last glimpse of beautiful Venice before being locked up, never to see the glistening blue canals again.
St Mark’s Basilica and the Piazza
Essentially the centrepiece and most trafficked area of Venice, St Mark’s Square (“Piazza San Marco” as you’ll see on all the signs dotted around the city to help you find your way) is a jaw-dropping spectacle when you first round a corner and catch a glimpse of it and the how vast of an open space it creates in such a densely built metropolis.
It is here you will find the amazing St Mark’s Basilica, the city’s most famous church and status symbol of Venetian wealth and power through the ages. The domes atop this timeless building make a majestic imprint on the skyline and the gold leaf adorned interior utterly blows you away once you step inside.
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore (Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore)
On the island of San Giorgio, this church will give you a chance to step outside the hustle and bustle of the main archipelago of Venice and get away to a quiet place, not often frequented by all who visit the city. Take the water taxi across to the island and go up the tower here to enjoy unrivalled views of the entire Venetian lagoon.
Church of Saints John and Paul (Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo)
Completed in 1430, this church is one of the most elaborately decorated and adorned in Venice. It is where many of the city’s most revered religious and civic figures are buried along with 25 of the former Doges.
The church is home to a significant number of exquisite paintings and monuments commemorating the lives and deaths of the Doges. It’s well worth a visit to appreciate the key role this church has played in the city’s history.
Rialto Bridge (Par Rialto)
Along with the Doge’s Palace, one of the first common images people conjure up when you mention Venice is the captivating Rialto Bridge, the oldest span across the Grand Canal.
The stone bridge replaced a previous timber one and was completed in 1591. It builds up to an incline at the top with a central archway on either side providing great sweeping views of the Grand Canal. It’s filled with shops on either side selling Venetian souvenirs mainly, but a few shops sell some nice chocolate worth getting your hands on.
