Sights in the San Marco neighborhood

The mosaics in the Basilica San Marco in Venice*** Basilica di San Marco - Let's just come out and say it: there simply is no church in Europe more lavishly decorated, more exquisitely mosaicked, more glittering with gold than San Marco, the cathedral of Venice. Built in the 11th century, this medieval basilica topped by a quintet of Byzantine domes is swathed inside in 40,000 square feet of glittering golden mosaics... Full story

The pigeons of St. Mark's Square in Venice*** Piazza San Marco - The living room of Venice is a year-round carnival, one of milling tourists, the glittering mosaics of St. Marks' cathedral, 16th-century arcades, kids feeding an endless supply of pigeons, locals relaxing at outdoor café tables under 16th century arcades, and couples caught up in Venice's romance dancing on the cobblestones to the competing strains of the cafés' live pianists and classical trios... Full story

The Palazzo Ducale in Venice*** Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) - The sumptuously decorated seat of Venetian power for 900 years, the Ducal Palace ostentatiously displays the wealth of this formerly mighty maritime republic with grand rooms saddled in Renaissance masterpieces (by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese, etc.)—and the famous Bridge of Sighs over to the state prisons—but the best way to see it—and unlock its history—is to take the Secret Itineraries tour of the hidden hallways, secret chambers, and prison cells (from which Casanova famously escaped) that lie secreted behind the walls and gilded frippery... Full story

The belltower of St. Mark's in Venice* Campanile di San Macro - The bell tower of St Mark's affords spectacular views from the top (and for once there's an elevator to get you there). Though it looks like it fits in perfectly, the current campanile is actually a 1912 replica of the original. On July 14, 1902, the over-tall bell tower that had stood since the 12th century—and had once served Galileo as a perch during his 1609 experiments with telescopes—gave up on its own structural integrity and simply crumbled in on itself without warning. Within seconds, it went from a graceful 323-foot spire to a pile of debris... Full story

The church of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice* San Giorgio Maggiore - Nearly every visitor to Venice snap a picture of it, yet barely a handful ever board the vaporetto to visit this Palladio-designed church on its own little island in the Bacino San Marco, where the Grand Canal empties out in front of Piazza San Marco. This is a shame, since they're missing a Venetian architectural glory decorated with works by Tintoretto, Carpaccio, and Jacopo Bassano—plus spectacular views from the bell tower... Full story

The St. Marke's Square clock towerTorre dell'Orologio - This late 15th-century clock tower has a bell that chimes the hours with the help of two hammer-wielding statues standing on the very tip-top of the tower and known as the "Moors of Venice." You would think there's some kind of great story behind that—a monument featuring medieval North African Muslims, here in Venice?—but you'd be wrong... Full story

A painting of a Doge by Giovanni Bellini in the Museo Civico CorrerMuseo Civico Correr - A nice little hodgepodge of collections installed above the arcades alongside Piazza San Marco. The best of this trio of city museums is the art gallery (good Carpaccios, plus works by all three Bellinis—Jacopo and sons Giovanni and Gentile). The others are devoted to, respectively, Venetian history (read: lots of paintings of ships) and the Risorgimento (Italy's 19th century unification movement; the sort of thing every Italian kid studies ad nauseam in school but, frankly, no one else cares about). Hard to believe it's nearly always empty when, across the square, St. Mark's is packed to the gills... Full story

The bacino Orseolo, a gondola parkign lot behind St. Mark's Square in VeniceBacino Orseolo - This little wide spot in the canal, cupped in the curving yellow walls of the Best Western Hotel Cavalletto (making for some sweet views from the hotel's red-awninged windows), is where dozens of gondolas bounce gently in the water in the late afternoon and into the evening. Gondoliers park their here rides after work and then stand around in their striped shirts, swapping war stories... Full story

The Ponte Rialto over the Grand Canal in VeniceRialto Bridge - In 1592, little-known local architect Antonio da Ponte ("Tony of the Bridge") beat out heavy-hitters Michelangelo, Palladio, and Sansovino to get the commission to replace the old wooden Rialto with a graceful marble span over the narrowest spot in the Grand Canal, a single, 92-foot-long arch stilled lined by tiny (overpriced) boutiques... Full story

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This material was last updated February 2011. All information was accurate at the time.

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