Venice is renowned as an incredible city built upon and surrounded by water, making it a treasured destination for millions of tourists each year.
But it is also a city experiencing financial challenges, erosion, pollution, subsidence and an influx of tourists during peak periods; therefore requiring tailored solutions from those who know best.
1. The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is Venice’s main thoroughfare, stretching from Saint Mark Basin at one end to a lagoon near Santa Lucia train station at the other. Measuring 4km long with width varying between 27m to 91m, its canal-lined banks boast magnificent palaces and iconic landmarks that will add another dimension to any visit to Venice.
The canal started out as a natural lake filled with deposits from Adriatic Sea seabed sediments. Over time, due to rising sea levels and gradual sinking landforms, its channel gradually narrowed and deepened with time – by 10th century it had evolved into one that allowed easy trade and shipping activities, and buildings began being constructed along its path.
Venice developed into a major maritime republic that controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia. Additionally, Venice was a powerful military power with territories stretching from northern Italy to Greece. Ruled by an oligarchy composed of wealthy merchant families governed by an elected Doge (Ducal). Members of Venice’s Great Council elected their representative.
“Palazzi” are Venetian palaces located along the Grand Canal that were originally home to wealthy residents who belonged to Venetian aristocracy or oligarchy, while others were designed by famed architects of their period as masterpieces of art. Nowadays, most palazzi serve as hotels or museums; others host city administration or other public institutions – for instance Fondaco dei Tedeschi was used by foreign merchants until recently while Fontego dei Turchi now hosts both a park and an ice cream shop!
2. The Bridge of Sighs
One of Venice’s most beloved and romantic bridges is also one of its most renowned. The Bridge of Sighs (or Ponte dei Sospiri) spans Rio di Palazzo or Palace River from Doge’s Palace across to an old prison across a canal and was designed by architect Antonio Contino between 1600-1603 for historic associations such as romance and tragedy. It has earned itself the moniker “Bridge of Sighs”.
Tragic associations with this bridge stem from its association with inmates transferred through it on their way to Venice prisons; those undergoing transference would take one last look at Venice before being sent off to prison, often followed by a sorrowful sigh accompanied by regretful expressions; it was this action which gave rise to its name; first coined by Lord Byron in his poem ‘The Pilgrimage of Childe Harold’ by which it has since become one of the best-known phrases associated with Venice.
Today, the Bridge of Sighs is more commonly seen as a symbol of love and romance than as an old prison. Its beauty has inspired poets, novels and films. To experience it at its fullest extent take a private gondola ride under it and take in its views in the same manner that Venice lovers have done for centuries!
At sunset, when its colors come alive with life and crowds thin out. However, for those less comfortable with crowds early morning may be better.
3. The Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Venice is one of its most impressive sights. This grand gothic structure, located near St Mark’s Square and dating from 14th to 18th century, served as the seat of city government from 14th-18th centuries and survived multiple fires as an impressive complex of buildings and styles that now serves as a museum; best viewed with the aid of a guide.
As you approach the palace, your initial reaction will likely be taken aback by its massive size and breathtaking beauty. Rising from its position by the water’s edge, this structure embodies all that represents Venice as a power and grandeur powerhouse.
Right of the entrance are four canopied niches filled with statues depicting virtues: Prudence, Charity, Strength and Temperance. Above the doorway stands an allegory of Justice which repeats King Solomon’s Palace motif. Furthermore, Saint Mark himself would be pleased that each door frame features small lion heads as part of Saint Mark’s symbolism.
Once you pass under the Golden Staircase, you will enter a wing which was once home to the Doge’s personal apartments and courtyard. While these rooms featured exquisite paintings on their walls, furniture was kept minimal since he served as minister of state and must maintain his dignity and discretion.
On the second floor you will discover rooms with ornate ceilings and fireplaces, where important meetings of the city council were held. Furthermore, there was also an impressive picture gallery featuring works by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto as well as the Maggior Consiglio hall where over one thousand people met to vote on its future.
4. The Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge in Venice is one of four bridges crossing the Grand Canal and is the oldest. Renowned worldwide for its beauty and history, this famous structure served as the focal point of business and trade during Venice’s Serenissima period for centuries – before Antonio da Ponte built this one of stone between 1588-1591 to replace an earlier wooden one that burned multiple times.
This bridge features two inclined ramps joined by an arch that spans the narrowest part of Grand Canal, made from Istrian stone and considered an architectural and engineering masterpiece of Renaissance period. Shops have also been opened along its length in order to assist with maintenance costs; during Epiphany Eve celebrations it used to be customary for Venetian children to hang their stockings there in hope that Befana would fill them up overnight with treats!
As part of its construction, 12,000 wooden logs were driven deep into the soil to provide a stable foundation. This practice was common at that time when building works required that soft and marshy soil first be stabilised before proceeding with building work.
One of the best things to do during a visit to Rialto Bridge is taking a stroll across it, providing a wonderful opportunity to admire views of Grand Canal and marvel at stunning architecture that surrounds it. Additionally, strolling allows one to escape crowds and experience its beauty during more peaceful times of day.
Be sure to bring a camera when visiting the Rialto Bridge – its views will make your visit to Venice even more remarkable! When traveling across it, be prepared for some unforgettable photos! The view alone will make this trip memorable!
5. Murano
Murano Island has long been recognized as a major center for glassmaking and one of Venice’s most prized industries. Today it can be reached quickly from Venice by waterbus (vaporetto) or private water taxi; once on its narrow streets are workshops where glassmakers work for a fee; many also feature souvenir shops to purchase something to remember your visit by.
Murano became Europe’s first industrial park when glassmakers moved their furnaces there in 1291, creating the world’s first glass manufacturing site. For several centuries afterward, Murano enjoyed near monopoly status for producing luxury glassware as well as commercial products like beads and bottles.
As a result, artisans developed distinctive recipes and techniques, becoming famous. Focusing the glassmakers onto one island in the lagoon also helped protect their secrets more easily.
Murano witnessed a new golden era of artistic glassmaking during the 1920s under Paolo Venini, an Italian lawyer with Milan roots who would guide them. Under Venini’s supervision, glassmakers revived classic sixteenth-century Italian shapes while creating their own elegant silhouettes and also created modern lighting fixtures, sculptural animals made out of glass and introduced the technique known as Vetro Sommerso (producing thick pieces with one color on both the outside and inside surfaces of thick glassware).
Murano glassware stands in stark contrast to modern factories where all glassware is mass-produced using moulds and assembly line logic, being still handmade by craftspeople from generations past. Every piece is uniquely created, reflecting this art form handed down from generation to generation; thus assuring you are buying authentic Murano products crafted by true master artisans whose skills were passed from one master artisan to another. A slight variation in size or shade indicates this fact!