Venice is a monumental city on the water. Venice: city on the water Venice city on the water history

Traveling through the north of Italy, Venice - a city on the water, stands out strongly from the background of the entire region. Venice has not yet gone under water and is considered the most romantic city in Italy.

Venice is located on a series of islands in the Adriatic Sea and is connected to the mainland by a 7-kilometer bridge. And in the city itself there are no roads at all, and traffic is organized through numerous channels.

Just walk the streets of Venice, the best program is free

For many years, Venice played an important role in trade between East and West, and many European painters admired its beauty.

What can you see in Venice - a city on the water, with only one day left?

• Arriving in Venice cruise ship or by train, you will in any case get to the station of Santa Lucia. Yes, yes, like in the song, from where you have a beautiful view of the Grand Canal. Walking along it you will remember for a long time. Indeed, along the canal there are more than 50 medieval palaces and majestic churches.

• And I recommend starting your tour of this beautiful city from one of the most luxurious squares in the world - Piazza San Marco. The one where tourists were forbidden to feed pigeons for sanitary reasons. Several remarkable buildings are located here at once, such as the Doge's Palace, the Cathedral of San Marco, the San Marco Clock Tower and the Marciana Library.

Separately, I want to note: if you are a lover and connoisseur of natural beauties, then in Venice, apart from the bewitching canals, there are not so many of these natural attractions. But since you are in Italy, you can always go to, even if they are not as close as we would like.

By the way, the ban on feeding pigeons is not particularly observed, so you can still buy crackers here to lure birds and take pictures. Do not forget to pay attention to the drawing on the pavement: it was laid out in the 13th century in a special way to orient the direction of the processions during the celebrations in the Cathedral of San Marco.

And since Piazza San Marco is the very heart and center of Venice. You can get here on foot, on the Vaporetto water bus (7.5 euros per trip), or during sightseeing tour on the gondola.

• The Cathedral of San Marco is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Venice. In addition to its beautiful Byzantine architecture, the cathedral is known for the fact that the relics of the Apostle Mark are kept here. As well as a huge collection of trophies and art objects brought from the Crusades.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, but if you get to the period of any temporary exhibition, then be prepared to pay an entrance fee. In our case, there was an exhibition of the crusaders and the entrance was 5 euros.

• Doge's Palace. Since you are walking along Piazza San Marco, you will not pass by the Doge's Palace. For centuries, the government of the Venetian Republic was located here, as well as many other state organizations. Do not regret 20 euros for a ticket and be sure to stop by to admire the murals, frescoes and paintings by Italian artists. We regretted something 🙂

• Bridge of Sighs. You can get to it from the Doge's Palace or during a gondola ride through the Venetian canals. Legend has it that the convicts were led to prison over this bridge and they sighed for the last time looking at the beauty of Venice. And to prevent escapes, the bridge is completely closed even from above and has only a few windows.

Another legend tells that the only criminal who managed to escape is the notorious Casanova. And to swim under this bridge at sunset and kiss is considered an obligatory part of the excursion program in Venice for couples in love.

• But the most beautiful bridge in Venice, I would rather call the Rialto Bridge. It was built very first across the Grand Canal. And from the very moment of its construction, merchants settled on it, even today souvenir shops are open on the bridge. It is mentioned in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice.
  • The bridge was originally built of wood, was destroyed several times by fires, and in the 16th century was rebuilt from stone and has retained this appearance to this day. Walking along it, be prepared to hustle, this is really a "people's place" since the Middle Ages.

• Do you want to get even closer to the masterpieces of Venetian artists? Then I recommend not to pass by the Academy Gallery. Founded as an educational institution in the 18th century, today it is the largest exhibition of works by Italian masters. This Gallery occupies as many as 24 halls. But if you do not have time, then this item of the program can be donated.
• Murano area. If you, being in Venice, went to souvenir shops. They probably paid attention to the abundance of souvenirs and other glass products, called Murano. The fact is that in Venice there is the Murano district, where glass-blowing factories have been operating since the Middle Ages. These factories produced glass of the highest quality. And glasses and mirrors brought to Europe from Venice were considered the best in quality. There are guided tours to workshops where you can watch the process of making glassware.

• Arsenal. The Venetian Arsenal was the first and largest shipbuilding workshop in medieval Europe. At the covered shipyards, work was simultaneously underway on 20 galleys. From historical records it follows that one ship was launched daily, and in total up to 16 thousand people worked at the factory. Such a pace of development of shipbuilding provided Venice with superiority in the Adriatic.
  • Today, in the building of the former granary on the territory of the Arsenal, there is a museum. And on the squares of the workshops, such a landmark event in the world of art as the Venice Biennale is held. Ticket price 25 euros. I cried, but I paid, and, to be honest, I was a little disappointed. The cost clearly does not match the content.

Additional Information

If you have already seen everything in this city on the water and it’s not the first day here, but the soul requires adventure and romance, read the article about the ferry to Croatia from Venice, to the wine region of Istria. You can organize a one-day sea trip and discover a new point on the world map!!!

Separately, I want to note the prices in Venice: this is not a cheap city, compared to the rest of Italy. In the article on the link, you will read in detail, using the example of Naples. From this article, you can focus on almost all prices. Only accommodation and meals in restaurants will be on average twice as expensive. Keep this in mind.

If you have only 1 light day in Venice and want to see the city to the maximum, then I recommend paying attention to excursions, both sightseeing and thematic. They are easy to buy on the spot in the city or pre-book online. The only disadvantage of buying on the spot: there are no Russian-speaking excursions. So if English, Italian or French guides are not embarrassing, feel free to take a tour from them.

In conclusion: Venice is a city on the water, a museum city. Even if you are not a fan of looking at exhibitions behind closed windows, just take a walk around the city. Attractions here at every turn. Stop by for coffee in one of the many cozy cafes, immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the city.

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Venice - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - stands on the water. There are no pavements in it, even sidewalks are quite rare, there is no wheeled transport. Water splashes right next to the houses, and residents move in gondolas and motor boats.

Its historical center is located on an archipelago consisting of 118 small islands, 4 km from the mainland, with which it is connected by a long bridge. In the 5th century, refugees from Padua and other Italian cities lived here, fleeing the Huns and other barbarians.

The streets in Venice are 150 canals. The large canal, which is 3.8 km long and 30-70 m wide, divides the whole city into two parts: the historical center and the industrial and commercial part, and smaller canals flow into it like rivers. The total number of bridges thrown over them is about 400.

Amazing palaces rise on both sides of the Grand Canal, the main of which is the Doge's Palace - the creation of architects of the 9th-16th centuries. This magnificent monument overlooks Piazza San Marco- the pearl of the city.

View of Piazza San Marco (1723)

The entire Venetian lagoon and the beautiful city along with it is steadily sinking under water. Why is this happening? There are several reasons. Lowlands, especially on the shores of the seas, are usually located on the site of tectonic troughs of the earth's crust and therefore are gradually submerged and flooded by the sea.

The second reason is more difficult. The mass of river sediments (sand, silt) carried by the Po River is deposited in its lower reaches and mouth. It would seem that the terrain should rise at the same time. But in this case, the mass of sediments is so great that it creates an additional load on the earth's crust. Due to this, loose moisture-saturated rocks at a depth are compacted, compressed, squeezing out moisture, and quickly settle.

But there is another reason for the dive. It was created by the residents themselves. The fact is that for a long time the city used fresh water directly from its bowels, and natural gas was pumped out in huge quantities at the mouth of the Po River. In this regard, the area quickly subsided at a rate of 3 mm per year. After the flood of 1966, the pumping of water had to be stopped. Settling immediately slowed down, but the problem remains.

Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Of course, it is not surprising that poets and artists vividly and colorfully described Venice in their creations. Venice is a city that is washed by water, that is, a city on the water.

Now let's dive into history a bit. Venice is a rather young city, when compared, for example, with. According to legend, the city was founded in 421 on March 25, but the first ruler appeared only in 726. The construction of Venice began in the so-called Rialto.

A huge number of canals were built, and their land was used in strengthening, as well as in raising the island. It was in this way that the Grand Canal was formed in Venice and the rest of the canals proceeded in the same way. It's hard to imagine - 118 islands are interconnected by 400 bridges. And the islands are reinforced with piles, which are wooden logs, it is on them that the foundation itself is based, which serves as the basis for palaces and houses. In the 10th century, Venice was able to establish trade relations both with the East and with other regions. There was also a period of decline in the city, which fell on the XIV century, the reason for this was the greatly increased military power of the Turks. Venice was in the hands of both Napoleon and the Austrian House of Habsburg. But in 1866 it was part of the united.

Venice - video

Let's talk a little about the climate of Venice. It is believed that this is a southern city, characterized by rather long and hot summers and fairly mild winters. Typical for Venice are torrential rains that accompany thunderstorms.

Particular attention should be paid to the sights of Venice. This city is divided into six districts, which are distributed in three, on each of the banks of the Grand Canal. Here is a list of these areas - San Paolo, Santa Croce, Castello, San Marco, Canareggio, Dorsoduro.

Sights of Venice

Of course, the most valuable attraction of Venice is - Big channel. The uniqueness of the canal lies in the fact that it has the rarest frame and very picturesque houses, as well as palaces, and the canal also serves as the central transport "artery" of the city. The length of the Grand Canal is 3,800 meters, but the width is somewhere within 70 m, the depth of the canal is 5 m. This canal divides Venice into two parts and flows into the widest canal of St. Mark. An interesting fact is that the inhabitants of the city themselves call the canal - Canalazzo. So it serves as a connecting means - it connects the districts of Venice, with the help of 3 bridges and 45 canals. It is worth taking a walk along the Grand Canal by water tram or by gondola and see the front facades of buildings, because they are visible only from the side of the water surface. On the first floors of the buildings there are boat moorings and commercial warehouses, the rest of the floors belong to the residents. Of course, the highlight is the architectural decorations, made in various ways. It is also worth paying attention to the windows - these are a kind of gothic-style openwork lancet arches arranged in a row or paired with unusual patterns - shamrocks, quatrefoils, and a late Gothic rosette.

An important attraction is the area of ​​extraordinary beauty - San Marco. There is a column on the square itself, and on its very top there is a winged lion (by the way, it is also a symbol of Venice).

An amazing view opens up around the column - unprecedented beauty Cathedral of San Marco, not nearly inferior in beauty to the Doge's Palace, located there. The cathedral was consecrated in 1094. Four bronze horses were located above the central arch of the cathedral. But in the altar part there is the most unique treasure of Venice - the "Golden Altar" and a composition that contains 250 small icons. It is made of precious stones, gold and enamel.

Also worth a visit doge's palace, he is famous for the decoration of the arcade and the balcony. The construction of the palace in the style of the Venetian Gothic. At that time, famous artists worked on the design itself - Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Giovanni Bellini and many others.

Palace of Dario known for a slightly different type of architecture, its facades are decorated with multi-colored marble.

Also famous for its beauty and Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The monks abandoned expensive equipment and built it from the simplest bricks.

You can not pass by the stunning painting "Assunta" - "Ascension of the Virgin Mary", it is she who is the decoration of the main altar. But in the family chapel is located "Madonna Pesaro".

If you come to Venice, then you definitely need to make an excursion to the islands. Here, for example, the island of Murano - it is located there glass museum. It is also possible to visit shops that specialize in glassware.

And on the island of Burano, they are engaged in the manufacture of lace (it is woven by hand and is called "holes from the air").

No less charming is the island of Torcello, as it turns out, it was once the birthplace of Venice. On this island there is the Church of Santa Fosca, as well as the Estuary Museum.

Anyone who is going to visit Venice in February will be able to get on Venice Carnival, which is quite large in scale. Gold costumes, silver lace, and, of course, masks, jugglers, vampires, guardsmen and archangels - all this can only be seen at the carnival. The festival lasts for ten whole days. But the announcement of the closing of the carnival is something strange - there is a ritual burial of a straw effigy - in such an interesting way, Italy says goodbye to winter.

1. Getting around in Venice is possible only with the help of steamers, gondolas and boats, and you can also walk on foot.

2. Those wishing to visit St. Mark's Cathedral should know that this place is Catholic and therefore it is forbidden to enter there in shorts, short skirts and with bare shoulders. It is forbidden to inspect the church during worship and at lunchtime.

3. It is important that in Venice they do not speak Russian and English, only Italian will help you on vacation.

4. It is also worth knowing that in the city from 14:00 to 15:30 there is a siesta time, which means that churches, shops, restaurants and cafes are all closed.

5. It is also worth knowing that gondolas are not the main means of transport for transporting passengers, it is more of a recreational vehicle and it costs quite well - from 100 euros.

6. Going to a remote island, you should take care of waterproof shoes, as in Venice, after rain, one of the islands may flood.

7. Urgent information on any case is better to find out in a hotel (an extreme case is a water bus driver), since the local population is very small, mostly all tourists.

8. But it is preferable to buy souvenirs for your relatives and friends near the church of St. Jeremiah - the prices there are more loyal than anywhere else.

9. Information about trattorias will also be valuable (this is something like our canteens). There you can eat quite tasty, and most importantly not expensive. Tipping here is voluntary, but still the majority of vacationers leave them within 10% of the total cost.

Venice (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with photos and videos. The best attractions in Venice with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Venice (Italy)

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, the capital of the province of Veneto. Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, being one of the most unique and famous places on the planet. Venice is a stunning, fabulous city whose historic center is built on 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon. More than 20 million tourists come here to see the charming canals, graceful architecture and bridges, take a ride on traditional gondola boats and listen to the songs of gondoliers, walk along San Marco, see the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the colorful houses of Burano. Venice is a city that has hardly changed in the last six centuries. Here everyone also moves in boats, albeit modern ones, traditional gondolas float along the canals, albeit they have become only a tourist attraction, and there are no cars on the streets, which is simply an incredible phenomenon in the modern world.

Venice is located in the waters Adriatic Sea almost at the latitude of the Krasnodar Territory. The historic center is located on many islands, separated by canals and connected by bridges, which is called "Sestieri". It includes the districts of Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and San Marco, where the main monuments and sights of Venice are located. Of the other islands of the Venetian lagoon, Murano, Torcello, San Francesco del Deserto and Burano should be distinguished. The architecture of Venice is a special architectural style, which is called Venetian. Most of the architectural and cultural monuments were built between the 12th and 16th centuries. Interestingly, most of the historical buildings of Venice are built on piles of alpine larch, which practically does not rot in water.

Venetian Grand Canal

Geography and climate

Venice is located on 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. The islands are separated by 150 canals and connected by 400 bridges. The city is large seaside resort and one of the largest Italian seaports.

Venice is located in the subtropical climate zone. Summers are quite hot, winters are mild. Frosts and snow in winter are rare. Although in the cold season it is quite chilly here due to the proximity of the sea. As a result of the surge, floods often occur in Venice.

Unfortunately this unique city gradually sinks into the water. 4-5 mm every year. During the 20th century alone, Venice went under water by more than 20 cm. In a few decades, it may become uninhabitable. So far, the project to save Venice "MOSE", which provides for the construction of dams around the city, has not significantly corrected this situation.

Practical information

1. The population is 264.6 thousand people.
2. The area is 414.6 square kilometers.
3. The language is Italian.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
6. Visa - Schengen.
7. Restaurants are open from 12.00 to 22.00. Shops from 10.00 to 19.00
8. The tourist tax is between 3.50 and 5 euros per person.

Best time to visit

The worst times to visit are carnival time (very expensive and crowded) and rainy time in late autumn and winter (cold, windy and damp). It can get quite hot in summer. by the most best time to get to know Venice is considered spring and autumn.

Story

During the Roman Empire in Antiquity, the Veneti tribe lived here, who gave the name to the future city and province. People began to settle in the vicinity of the Venetian lagoon, fleeing the raids of the barbarians. An urban settlement began to form here in the 6th-7th century. Initially, it was located on the islands of Malamocco and Torcello and belonged to Byzantium. In the 7th century, the settlements of the Venetian lagoon were united under the doge, in fact the head of state. The Doge was elected from wealthy and influential families for life. During the entire existence of the Republic of Venice, more than 100 doges were elected.

In the 9th century, the importance and influence of Venice began to grow rapidly. In 828, the relics of St. Stamp stolen in Alexandria. St. Mark is the patron saint of the city. Interestingly, the Venetian Republic was a unique state entity. There was practically no vassalage here, and it was forbidden for the doge to appoint a successor to himself.

From the 12th to the 15th century, the Republic of Venice was one of the most powerful states in Europe. The prerequisite for this was the defeat in 1204 by the crusaders of Constantinople. The Republic became the main link between East and West. By 1300, Venice was the wealthiest city on the European continent.

In the 15th century, the expansion of the Turks and the subsequent reorientation of trade routes towards the Atlantic undermined the economic and commercial power of the city. The mighty republic ceased to exist. At the end of the 18th century, Venice was conquered by Napoleon. After some time, it was part of the possessions of the Habsburgs, until in 1866 it became part of Italy.

How to get there

Venice has an international airport Marco Polo, which is located near Mestre (actually a suburb of Venice). You can take the bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. The railway station has connections to Milan, Trieste, Verona, Rome and the rest of Italy. Cruise ships and yachts usually arrive at Stazione Marittima. Trains from the mainland pass through Mestre to railway station Venice Santa Lucia on its western side. Attention - do not confuse with the Venice Mestre page, which is the last stop on the mainland. Direct trains to Venice run from Munich, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb.

The main means of transportation in Venice and its islands are vaporetto and water taxis. Vaporetto is the most economical way to travel. It is better to buy a day ticket to get to the islands of Murano and Burano. Landing on the vaporetto is carried out at special stations. To cross the Grand Canal, you can use the traghetto. These are public gondolas driven by two gondoliers. It costs only 2 euros per person (only cash is accepted).

Gondolas are one of the main attractions of Venice. These boats are historically the main means of transportation along the canal streets. Now they serve for the entertainment of tourists. Gondolas are driven by gondoliers. This is a very prestigious and profitable profession, which is almost impossible for outsiders to get into. The state keeps a strict record of gondoliers. Their number is regulated - 425 people. In this case, this profession is usually passed from father to son. The cost of a gondola ride in Venice is about 80 euros.

Shopping and shopping

Venice has always been a city of merchants. Consequently, most Venetians still own or work in a store. Be careful when buying souvenirs and goods. A huge tourist flow does not always guarantee high quality.

Shops are open from 10 am to 7 pm and later. In Venice they buy: antiques, leather goods, shoes, scarves, jewelry, books, Murano glass, carnival masks and costumes. Brand stores can be found in the Piazza San Marco area. Typical tourist traps: "colored pasta" and "Venetian limoncello" are not Italian cuisine. No Italian will ever buy this.

Food and drink

Venice is famous for its great restaurants, but in general it is considered that Italian cuisine is not the best here, and Venetian pizza is traditionally the worst in Italy. Here we recommend trying polenta, risotto with cuttlefish sauce, seafood dishes, pasta. Be careful when menu prices in a restaurant are based on the weight of the dish (usually "etto", abbreviated "/hg").

Attractions

Venice is full of attractions, historical and cultural monuments: squares and bridges, churches and historical buildings will not leave anyone indifferent.

The heart of Venice, its most famous and beautiful square. Napoleon called San Marco "the most elegant living room in Europe." Famous sights, expensive shops and the oldest cafes are located here. Venetian doges, Marco Polo walked along it, and the famous Casanova was drinking in the cafe.

One of the main landmarks of Venice and Piazza San Marco in particular. This is the tallest building in the city, with a height of 98.5 meters. The current bell tower of St. The stamp dates from 1912. The original 12th century structure collapsed in 1902. Initially, in the 9th century, the bell tower served as a watchtower and a lighthouse. For 8 euros you can admire the panorama of the city from a height of almost 100 meters.

St. Mark's Basilica is the main religious building in Venice. An old church in the Byzantine style, which is rarely seen in Western Europe. Here the relics of St. Mark (of the apostle and evangelist) and valuable works of art that were taken out of Constantinople. The relics were stolen from the Saracens by Venetian merchants in the 9th century. Since that time, the winged lion has become the symbol of Venice. The Basilica of San Marco until 1807 was the court church of the Doge. The first basilica was built in 829 and burned down in 976 during an uprising against Doge Pietro Candiano IV. Some researchers believe that during the fire, the relics of St. The stamp has been lost. The current basilica was completed in the 11th century. It is built in the shape of a Greek cross. The interior is richly decorated with mosaics and many varieties of marble.

The Doge's Palace is a symbol of San Marco, a masterpiece of Gothic art and the center of power of the Venetian Republic. The Doge's Palace consists of three large parts: the wing to the San Marco basin, which houses the main council hall (it is the oldest part of the building), the wing to St. Mark's Square (the former palace of justice) and the Renaissance wing, which housed the Doge's residence.

The Clock Tower is a historic building from the 15th century with an early Renaissance clock. The tower is located in the northern part of St. Mark so that the clock can be seen from the Venetian lagoon. The lower floors of the tower form an arch that leads to the main street of Venice - Merceria, which links San Marco and Rialto. The top of the tower is decorated with two bronze statues of "Moors" beating the bell. A little lower is a sculpture of a winged lion with an open book. Previously, there was a statue of the Doge nearby, which was removed by the French at the end of the 18th century. One floor below is a copper statue of the Virgin and Child. The clock is located above the arch and is a large dial with Roman numerals.

The Grand Canal or Grand Canal is the most important waterway in Venice, which divides the city on two sides. Its length is just under 4 km. Interestingly, Venice looks like a fish from above. And the line of the Grand Canal resembles the letter "S". This waterway has been the center of lively Venetian life and trade since the Middle Ages. Along the perimeter of the Grand Canal, you can admire dozens of magnificent buildings and palaces of the 12th-16th centuries, in which the richest and most influential Venetians lived. The Grand Canal ends at Piazza San Marco with a wonderful panorama of the lagoon. 4 bridges are thrown over it, the most beautiful and famous of which is Rialto.

Rialto is one of the symbols of Venice, the first bridge over the Grand Canal. It was originally made of wood and allowed ships to approach San Marco. It was not until 1588 that Rialto was rebuilt and faced with white marble, which is called Istrian stone here. The bridge is 22 meters wide and 48 meters long. It is a unique arcade 7.5 meters high, topped by several smaller arcades that cross three parallel staircases. The Rialto area is known for its famous market, open every day except Sunday.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute is the symbol of Dorsoduro and one of the architectural landmarks of the Grand Canal. This church was built by the Venetians in gratitude for the deliverance from the plague in 1630. Since then, on November 21, the city celebrates the feast of the Madonna della Salute. The Venetians build a floating boat bridge from Piazza San Marco to the church. The central part of the church has an octagonal shape, above which rises a large hemispherical dome. Six small chapels are built around it. The central part is connected to the south side by a presbytery crowned with a smaller dome and two bell towers.

Murano is the famous island of glassblowers, one of the most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon. If you buy Murano glass, then only here. Glass factories and craftsmen were moved here in the 13th century to keep Venice safe from fire and keep secrets of production.

Until 1171, the island was part of the Santa Croce region. In 1275 the Murano craftsmen were granted extensive rights. They could make their own laws and even print coins.

Burano is one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, famous for its colorful houses, lace and culinary traditions. The first houses on the island of Burano were built at the beginning of the 11th century. Colored houses began to be made so that fishermen in the fog could distinguish their homes. This tradition has become the main feature of Burano, which attracts many tourists.

The center of the island is the area of ​​the Church of San Martino and Piazza Baldassar Galuppi. San Martino is the only church on the island. Known for the fact that its bell tower is tilted several degrees from the axis.

A popular landmark of Venice, which is not a bridge at all, but a passage connecting the Doge's Palace and the prison. It was built of white marble in the early 17th century.

The Academic Bridge is the newest of the bridges across the Grand Canal. It was built in the middle of the 19th century during the possession of Venice by the Habsburgs. Rebuilt in 1933.

Other sights and monuments of Venice

Ca "Rezzonico is one of the few palaces of the Grand Canal that is open to the public. There is an 18th century museum with paintings and frescoes taken from other palaces. The building was built in 1667 and bought in 1702 by a merchant from Genoa - Rezzonico. Giorgio Ballroom Massari is the most famous room of the palace, it has been restored, decorated with beautiful chandeliers, sculptures and frescoes. On the second floor there is a painting room by Pietro Longhi (which depicts the daily life of the Venetians).

Campo Santa Margherita is a square in the historical area of ​​Dorsoduro. Here you can enjoy a real Venetian atmosphere: 14th-15th century architecture, small shops, bars, restaurants, a tiny fish market and a street market. On the opposite side is the famous Ponte dei Pugni bridge, which links Campo Santa Margherita with Campo San Barnaba.

Redentore is a 16th century church on the island of Giudecca, designed by Palladio. The facade of the building is made of white marble.

San Giorgio Maggiore Island is an island on the opposite side of the Grand Canal lagoon opposite Piazza San Marco. The island belonged to the influential Venetian Memmo family for a long time. The island has an ancient monastery founded in the 10th century, a church designed by Palladio, a bell tower from the late 18th century and much more. In addition, a beautiful panorama of San Marco opens from the island.

Church of San Sebastiano - 16th century Renaissance church designed by Abbondi. The interior is decorated with frescoes by Paolo Veronese from the 16th century. The church can almost be considered a Veronese workshop and is considered a masterpiece of Venetian art. This cultural monument is practically unknown to tourists.

The Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini is a church in the Dorsoduro area near Piazza Santa Margherita. The church was founded in the 13th century and rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1500. The presbytery and side chapel were built between 1506 and 1514 by Sebastiano Mariani. On the left side there is a beautiful Gothic portal and a bell tower by Giuseppe Sardi topped by a statue of the Madonna del Carmine.

Church of San Giacomo di Rialto - is one of the oldest churches in Venice (and possibly the oldest). It was built in 421 in the Rialto quarter. The church is commonly referred to as Chiesa di San Giacometto (translated as "little Giacomo") due to its small size compared to other religious buildings in the city.

Church of San Geremia - located in the Cannaregio district, just a few minutes walk from Santa Lucia station. The facade of the church overlooks the Grand Canal. Saint Lucia of Syracuse rests here.

Church of San Simeone Piccolo - located in the Santa Croce quarter on the Grand Canal embankment. The church was built in 1738 by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto in neoclassical style. The architect was obviously inspired by the Roman Pantheon. It is the only church in Venice where services are still held in Latin. The dome has the shape of an oval bowl. It is covered with lead plates and visually increases the height of the building. Interestingly, the church has an underground crypt that has not been fully explored.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a palace on the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge. It was built in the first half of the 13th century. It now houses the Museum of Natural History.

Church of San Zan Degola - located in one of the quietest corners of the city, away from popular routes and crowds of tourists between San Giacomo Dall Orio and Fondaco dei Turci in the Sestere di Santa Croce quarter. Here it seems that time has frozen on the border with the past: there are practically no shops, people with cameras and smartphones. The church is very old. Mentions of it date back to the 11th century. Now belongs to the Russian Orthodox community.

Church of Tolentini - located in the quarter of Santa Croce Sestiere, opposite the square of the same name. The church was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Doge Francesco Morosini is buried here.

Pesaro is one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Venice. The palace was built in 1710. The majestic beauty of the baroque façade, adorned with various statues, surpasses the beauty of the interiors. Unfortunately, most of the decorations were destroyed or damaged. Only a few frescoes remain.

Frari is a 15th century Franciscan church. The bell tower of the church is the second highest after San Marco. The interior is extensive and rich in works of art by Titian.

Campo San Polo is a square square in the Sestire di San Polo quarter, the second largest in Venice after San Marco.

Kamerlengi Palace - a palace of an unusual pentagonal shape near the Rialto Bridge. Was built in the 16th century. The facade is faced with marble.

The Arsenal has been the heart of Venetian shipbuilding since the early 12th century. This huge production complex was built to equip ships and was at that time one of the largest production facilities in Europe. Now there is a marine historical Museum.

Scuola Grande di San Marco is a historic building of the 13th century in the Renaissance style, the residence of one of the 6 largest Venetian scuolas (guilds).

The Jewish ghetto is located in the Cannaregio quarter and was founded in 1500. The ghetto area has tall buildings and low ceilings because Jews were not allowed to settle anywhere else. There are five synagogues here, which represent the different Jewish ethnic groups that have lived in Venice for 5 centuries.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a Gothic palace with a beautiful spiral staircase. It was built by the Venetian Contarini family in the 15th century.

Ca' d'Oro go Hagia Sophia is one of the most remarkable examples of Venetian Gothic and one of the most elegant historical buildings in Venice, located in the Cannaregio area on the Grand Canal. The palace was built in the 15th century. It now houses the Franchetti Gallery.

If you look at the map Northern Italy, then Venice seems to be an ordinary coastal settlement. In fact, this is an island. More precisely, a group of islands in the Adriatic Sea, located close to the mainland of the country. Here, instead of streets, there are canals, so the main transport in Venice is river trams and slightly more expensive river taxis. Gondola services will cost even more. This type of transport has been preserved since ancient times and is still in demand. It is mainly used by tourists who so want to get in touch with the history of the city, get acquainted with its sights, numerous museums, and see the life of the Venetians today.

Most Serene "Queen of the Adriatic"

Venice is one of the oldest cities on our planet. It owes its name to the Veneti tribe, who inhabited this area even before our era, during the existence of the Roman Empire. It was the Romans who enslaved the Veneti in the 3rd century BC, founding here the colony of Aquileia, which later became the center of the province of Venetia and Istria. Actually, Venice was founded in 421 AD by the inhabitants of the region, who sought salvation from the warlike Goths and found refuge here, on the Rialto Islands. So says the legend, in which the exact date is also called: March 25, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. A document has been preserved confirming the veracity of the legend: according to it, the settlement was officially founded by three consuls - immigrants from Padua.

In 452 Venetia and Istria were invaded by warlike tribes of the Huns led by Attila. Main city- Aquileia - was destroyed. Some of the inhabitants, seeking salvation, also fled to the islands. The harsh conditions taught the settlers a lot, and above all the art of survival. They built houses on stilts, fished, ran a household. In total there were twelve village settlements, and in order not to live apart, they decided to form a common local government - the Venetian government (an agreement on this came into force in 466). But, despite the actual independence, the settlements were formally subordinate to the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). In 539-551, the Venetians openly supported the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the war with the Ostrogothic kingdom, providing him with their own fleet, the most powerful at that time in the Adriatic. The Eastern Roman Empire did not remain in debt and granted Venice many privileges in trade.

At the end of the 7th century, the Most Serene Venetian Republic, or the Republic of St. Mark, was formed - a state with its capital in Venice, located in the northeast of modern Italy and having colonies in a number of Adriatic countries and basins of three seas - the Aegean, Marmara and Black. Since 697, Venice began to elect the highest official - the doge (king), who was endowed with broad powers. Its heyday fell on the period of the Crusades (XI-XV centuries). The state had extensive trade relations, in fact, controlling the trade between East and West. Meanwhile, internal political struggle did not subside within the state. Disputes, in particular, went around the idea of ​​transforming the republic into a de facto monarchy, so that the doges who ruled for life would not be elected, but would receive power by inheritance. There were even uprisings. During one of them, one of the doges, Vitaly II, died. After that, in 1172, elections were announced for the deputies of the Great Council (something like a parliament). He became the highest representative and advisory body, whose powers significantly curtailed the power of the doges.

The Venetian Republic reached its peak of power under Doge Enrico Dandolo (XIII century). Relying on the French crusaders, she conquered Constantinople in 1204, and ruled this city for a short time. When the Byzantine lands were divided, three-eighths of this territory, including the island of Crete, went to the “Queen of the Adriatic”. In 1256, Venice began to fight with the Republic of Genoa. The fighting was long and gave the advantage to one side or the other. In 1381, Genoa was defeated and the territory of Venice began to gradually grow with new possessions. In the second half of the 15th century, the Ionian Islands were conquered, and already in 1489 the island of Cyprus was annexed to the republic.

The end of the 15th century was notable for the Most Serene "Queen of the Adriatic" in many ways. The state was very rich. It was strong from the inside and inspired respect in the international arena. The enemies of Venice were frankly afraid of her. Ordinary people also lived very prosperously, since trade and industrial production flourished, and taxation was not burdensome. By modern standards, governance was generally democratic. True, political crimes were still punished.

Difficult times for the Republic of St. Mark came, starting from the 16th century. And for objective reasons. Just before this, the Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama opened the sea route to the East Indies (1498), which gradually deprived Venice of its monopoly on this trade route. Then the militant Ottomans captured Constantinople, and step by step began to take away from the Venetians their former territorial acquisitions. In 1571, Venice had to cede Cyprus to the Turks, and in 1669 Crete. The republic's relations with the Catholic Church were also cool. Pope Paul V at that time founded the League, which encroached on the independence of the maritime republic. Defending its right to exist, it survived this struggle and swept aside all claims.

However, the Venetian Republic nevertheless lost its independence. Napoleon Bonaparte, then still commander of the Italian army, entered the territory of Styria in 1797. After the invasion, Terraferma (the so-called mainland possessions of Venice) remained in the rear of his troops, the population of which rebelled against the invaders. In response, the future emperor of France declared war on the republic, the government of which tried in every possible way to maneuver, but in vain. On May 12, 1797, Doge Lodovico Manin, together with the Grand Council, signed an act of abdication. And already on May 16, the victorious troops entered Venice, which they occupied without resistance. On October 17 of the same year, a peace treaty was concluded in Campo Formio, according to which part of the territory of the former republic went to Austria, part to the Cisalpine Republic, which later became the Kingdom of Italy. France got the Ionian Islands.

Famous people and Venice

The life and fate of many famous people, personalities of world renown - artists, composers, writers, travelers, scientists - was connected with Venice. Some of them were born in this wonderful city, others developed their creativity here, and others lived in it for their last years. We will briefly introduce you to some of these eminent personalities.

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni. He was born on June 8, 1671 in Venice, where he died on January 17, 1751. Famous composer and violinist, contemporary of the Baroque era. He won fame by writing about fifty operas. In his hometown, between 1723 and 1740, 28 of them were delivered. Today, instrumental music written by him, which is regularly performed in many halls, enjoys popularity.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova. Born April 2, 1725 in Venice, died June 4, 1798 in Bohemia. He went down in history with his many adventures in the love field, which he himself described in his autobiographical book “The Story of My Life”. Known as a traveler and adventurer. His spicy memoirs made him a household name and now every female seducer is called "Casana".

Clement XIII(in the world - Carlo della Tore Rezzonico). Pope of Rome from 1758 to 1769 (for life). Born March 7, 1693 in Venice. During his pontificate, persecution of the Jesuits began, since the growth of their influence in the royal courts of Europe caused alarm among the Catholic clergy. But the head of the church himself took a wait-and-see attitude. He went down in history as an opponent of the Enlightenment.

Marco Polo. Famous Italian traveler, merchant. Born September 15, 1254 in Venice, died there on January 8, 1324. The author of the famous work "The Book of the Diversity of the World", which he wrote after his trip to Asia. To this day, it serves as an invaluable source of information on the history and geography of such countries as China, Mongolia, Iran, India, Armenia, Indonesia of the Middle Ages.

Richard Wagner. Born May 22, 1813 in Leipzig, died February 13, 1883 in Venice. Famous German composer and outstanding art theorist. He is also known for his reformations in the field of opera. With his work, he had a significant impact not only on German, but also on the musical culture of the Old World in general. He was also known for his anti-Semitic views.

Titian(Tizian Vecellio). Born around 1488-1490 in Pieve di Cadore, Republic of Venice. He died in Venice on August 27, 1576. The famous Italian painter, the personification of the Renaissance. The author of paintings on biblical and mythological themes. He also gained fame as a portrait painter, whose customers were kings, popes and other august persons.

Christian Doppler. Austrian scientist, physicist. Born in Salzburg on November 29, 1803, died in Venice on March 17, 1853. He established and substantiated such a phenomenon as the dependence of the frequency of wave oscillations perceived by the observer on the speed and direction of their source and observer in relation to each other, called the "Doppler effect". Now used in ultrasound diagnostics.

Venice today

Venice today is one of the largest tourist, cultural and industrial centers of Italy. The population of the city, which is the administrative center of the Veneto region and the Venice region, is 270.4 thousand people according to the 2009 census. As before, it occupies the territory of 118 islands in the Adriatic. Between themselves, they are connected by channels - "streets" branching off from the Grande Canal (Grand Canal). It is considered here the main "street" and one of the main attractions. It impresses with its “dimensions”: the length is 3.8 km, the width is from 0.3 to 0.7 m, the depth is about 5 m. It seems to divide Venice into two parts, but not equal in size. On both sides of it are picturesque palace buildings and houses, which creates a unique panorama.

The group of Venetian islands is fenced off from the gulf of the same name by islands-spits, long and narrow (Lido, Alberoni, Malamocco, etc.). They are connected to the mainland of Italy by two- and four-kilometer bridges. Highways and railways run parallel to each other along them, breaking off at the borders of the city. In Venice itself there are no buses, no trolleybuses, no trams, no taxis, no metro, and this circumstance makes it one of a kind and inimitable.

Modern Venice is an open-air museum. To name just a few of the highlights ancient city. it central square San Marco , the cathedral of the same name, golden house , Doge's Palace , city Museum corner, Bridge of Sighs, Campanile (Bell tower), Rialto Bridge, Clock Tower, church Santa Maria della Salute , gothic church Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (the second most important after the Cathedral of San Marco), Naval Museum and others.

Every year, the famous Venice Carnival takes place here - a costume festival that precedes the forty-day fast before Catholic Easter. The first mention of the carnival dates back to 1094. It also hosts the Venice International Film Festival, which is the oldest in the world: it was founded in 1932 by the Italian Duce Benito Mussolini.

Another interesting fact about Venice. The city is the Cathedral of St. George the Victorious. It is he who is the repository of the right hand of St. Basil the Great. This Orthodox shrine was acquired in Constantinople in 1528 by Father Gabriel, who later became the first Metropolitan of Venice.