Venice is absolutely prominent for multiple reasons: its breathtaking landscape, the romance, the architecture, the unique layout, the flooding (-excuse us our Italian friends-), to name but a few. Yet, music and art were not some of them. Let us welcome you to this article, where the greatest hints and tips of architectural, musical and artistic aspects of Venice are to be revealed! Read now and thank us later.
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is located in the very center of Venice. It is the largest and most famous square in the city, with its current architecture dating back to 1277! It is located in the lowest part of the city and therefore it is always the first to flood. Don’t be afraid, though, because Italians have figured a blue-sky solution: they place wooden boards to facilitate transportation. The night life in Piazza San Marco could not be more whimsical, especially during spring and summer: a walk along the shops, restaurants and cafés, while the music of local bands echoes in the square, will definitely be one of the best experiences you can have in the city!
Note: Bear in mind that eating, drinking and feeding pigeons is forbidden in the square. In case you want to enjoy your meal with a view of Piazza San Marco, there is a garden named Giardini ex Reali nearby, an ideal choice.
Caffe Florian
If your budget is not that tight, you can always visit the Florian caffé. It is the oldest and most remarkable caffé-bar in Venice and dates back to 1720! Over the last century, it hosts bands – mainly of jazz music – that create an even more heart-warming atmosphere with their melodies. It should be noted that C. Dickens, R. Wagner, and a great number of Hollywood stars, to name but a few, were regulars to this caffé!
Note: Keep in mind that the cheapest drink to be purchased in the caffé costs around 7€-10€ (about £6-£9 and $9-$11).
Basilica Di San Marco
The basilica of Saint Marco is located in the square of Saint Marco. In general, you can enter for free, yet there are small charges inside the church: the entrance to “Pala d’Oro”, a sanctuary constructed with gold, silver and valuable stones, costs 1,5€ (£1,35 / $1,7). To enter “Tesoro della Basilica di San Marco”, in other words, treasures of Saint Marco’s basilica and other sacred relics, you will be charged around 3€ (£2,7 / $3,4).
Check here the best hotel prices in Venice! (price guarantee)
Check here the best combinations of flights-trains-buses to save time and money!
Ponte Dei Sospiri
Between myths and legends, Ponte dei Sospiri is a must-see in your visit to Venice, especially for couples! The bridge, which in free translation means the bridge of sighs, is named after the prisoners’ sighing back in the day, while being transferred through the canal and under the bridge, in order to be interrogated, tortured, go to trial or to be imprisoned. The bridge is located in Rio di Palazzo and quite some centuries ago, it was used to connect the palace of Doges to the prisons of Venice. From its windows, one can admire the incredible view of Venice. Its Baroque architecture, the remarkable design from the well-known architect Contin and the place of imprisonment of the most notorious Casanova in the world, are some of the reasons that make the bridge unique! Actually, the romantic composer Zac Offenbach (1819 – 1880) was inspired by the bridge and composed an operetta, which he named after the bridge.
Check also “Castello: the different side of Venice“
Ponte Di Rialto
Do not think that this was the only bridge in Venice. Let me tell you, there are A LOT of them. The bridge Rialto is located in the center named Rialto, which is the most famous in town. It is filled with small shops in which you can go shopping or gaze at the beautiful stores, while walking along the beautiful view of the canal. A candidate for the bridge’s design was Michelangelo himself, yet it was eventually assigned to Antony Da Ponte.
Note: It is quite a touristic center, so be aware of your purchases.
Palazzo Ducale Di Venezia
This palace was the former residence of Doges and other kings of Venice, for which reason it is named the palace of Doges. In spite of its construction having started during the era of the Roman Empire (476), it was finally completed in the 14th-15th century in Gothic rhythm, with romantic and manneristic designing-interventions. The interior of the palace is bedecked –among others- by the painting “Paradise” of Tintoretto, which is argued to be the largest painting in canvas worldwide!
Teatro La Fenice
The opera house Fenice is one of the most legendary opera houses in the world and one of the most famous landmarks in the history of Italian theatre! The Fenice Opera House is as remarkable for Venice as Teatro Alla Scala (La Scala Theatre in Milan) for Milan. Plenty world premieres of absolutely brilliant compositions have taken place in it, of some of the most acclaimed composers of all time, such as Gioachino Antonio Rossini (1792 – 1868), Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini (1801 – 1835), Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (1797 – 1848) and Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (1813 – 1901).
Museo Della Musica
This music museum is dedicated to the great Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque era in general. There is a vast majority of music exhibits available and a shop in which you can purchase some really outstanding and unique music-souvenirs. The entrance to the museum is free.
Biennale Di Venezia
The Biennale of Venice is one of the biggest and most famous modern art exhibitions in the world! It is organized every other year with a different artistic perspective every time. Thus, if you do not want to miss the extraordinary experience, be sure to book your trip for the period of the exhibition.
Murano
Of course, our artistic trip to Venice could not be completed if we didn’t mention the island of Murano, the leading place of glass products! It is accessible via a ferry that takes only 40 minutes to get there. Once you arrive at the island, you can visit the famous Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) located in Palazzo Guistinian. You will then have the chance to purchase products and creations of glass from the most notorious glass-craftsmen!
By Kyriaki Kyratzopoulou
This post contains affiliate links. Learn more about them here.