Venice

Description

The city of Venice, administrative centre of the Veneto region, extends over approximately one hundred small islands in the Venice Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. The powerful capital of the Serenissima Republic of Venice for over 1,000 years, it is famous throughout the world for its island setting and lack of streets, here replaced by canals; the main thoroughfare is the Grand Canal.
The heart and symbol of the city is St. Mark’s square, surrounded by elegant porticoes and dominated by St. Mark’s Basilica with its five cupolas, bronze horses and sumptuous mosaics and interiors. The Basilica is linked by the porta della Carta to the Ducal Palace whose sala del Maggior Consiglio was the seat of government for centuries. Facing the palace is St. Mark’s campanile, built in Verona red marble.
The entire city is filled with picturesque sights and interesting places: the bridges of the "Serenissima", such as the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, the Arsenale, the biggest ship yard in the world, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the synagogues in the Ghetto, the Fenice Theatre, the neighbourhoods of Cannaregio and Giudecca, the islets of Murano and Burano where artisans work blown glass and the seaside destination of the Lido, where the Venice Film Festival is held.

Position on map