The captivating city of Venice, Italy, sits on 118 small islands connected to 150 crisscrossing canals and 417 bridges. Venice is stunning with artistic architecture with works by famous artists Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and others.
Photo by Belen Ward
History
Venice was founded in the 5th century and established as a prominent maritime port in the 10th century, according to Word Heritage Convention.
During the 5th century, invaders constantly threatened Venice’s mainland, so the Venetian population escaped invader raids to Torcello, Jesolo, and Malamocco, becoming permanent settlements and important maritime ports for fishermen.
In the 5th century, the refugees returned to the mainland after the fall of the Roman Empire. Venice was built on wood and water by driving wooden poles deep into the clay beneath the sea and above the ground with wooden poles, building wooden platforms on top constructing buildings.
It has been a miracle for centuries; its city wood and pole platform have not decayed or been impacted by oxygen because saltwater petrified the wood marking it durable.
Photo by Belen Ward
Venice’s expansion for centuries defended its trading markets from the Arabs, Arabs, the Genoese, the Ottomans, and Turks. During the middle ages, Venice continued to build up areas such as Torcello to the north to Chioggia, developing each tiny island into settlements, fishing, and artisan villages which is the heart of the lagoon and established itself as one of the medieval world’s influential capitals.
Venice’s tiny islands merged into a distinct urban network of canals, with the Giudecca Canal, St Mark’s Canal, and the Great Canal, the water thoroughfares of its city.
Photo by Belen Ward
Must-sees
Take a ride through Canal Grande Venice’s main channel with unique Renaissance palaces.
Doge’s Palace was built in Gothic Architecture with works by artists Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, A. Vittoria, and Tiepolo. The building includes council chambers, residential apartments, and the Austere prison.
Piazza San Marco is a central interest point of Venice. Its architecture is breathtaking.
Basilica di San Marco was built with architecture depicting styles of East and West. Venice’s massive Basilica was inducted as a religious rite in 832 AD and established as the building where St. Mark remains are buried.
San Giorgio is Venice’s waterfront basilica gem with panoramic views from Campanile and paintings of Tintoretto.
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari was built in the 13th century with works of Venetian Renaissance art by the famous artist of Giovanni Bellini’s triptych “Madonna and Child with Saints,” the “Assumption” and the “Pesaro Madonna” by Titian, Saint John the Baptist by Donatello.
Ponte di Rialto is a landmark bridge, and the heart of Venice is built with a 24-foot arch and built on 12,000 wooden fillings that have supported the bridge for 400 years.
Campanile di San Marco was built as a lighthouse to help seaman to navigate the lagoon. You can take an elevator to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile or the bell tower to see a breathtaking view of Venice and the lagoon, and from a distance, you can see the Alps.
How to get around
The best way to explore Venice is by foot to discover hidden gems, canals, and bridges. The second option is the Vaporetto, a water bus. It runs 24/7, 365 days a year, with stops at Venice’s main Grand Canal and visits to the islands of Murano, Brian, and Lido.
The water bus runs every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 to 40 minutes at night. If you prefer private transportation, the water taxi is another choice, or an intimate and personal sightseeing ride around Venice, take the gondola and sandoli.
The best time to visit Venice is April, May, June, September, and October. The temperature in Venice during the summer is in the 70s and 80s.