Today, tourism is the dominant source of income for Venice. More than 15 million tourists come here every year at least for the sake of sights. Many buildings are architectural monuments by status, so tourists have something to see in Venice and what are the main attractions every traveler must see?
Canals and water transport
The main attraction of Venice is the city transport, which is carried out through canals.
The main transport artery of the city is the Grand Canal, dividing Venice into two parts.
Channel length - 3800m, width 30-70m, depth - 5m. Four bridges were erected through the Canalazzo (as the Venetians call the Grand Canal), and 45 smaller canals flow into it, the width of which can be 4-5 meters and move along them exclusively on gondolas. Walking on gondolas or water buses is very popular, since all the front facades face the water surface of the Grand Canal.
In the Cannaregio district, on the Grand Canal, is Ca 'd'Oro or the Palazzo Santa Sofia, called the Golden House. The palace got its name thanks to the facade, formerly decorated with precious materials. The palace was built in the 15th century in the style of Venetian Gothic. Today it houses a collection of medieval sculpture and painting.
We recommend reading: the history of the city on the water
St. Mark's Square
Particularly noteworthy is a visit to St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), with the eponymous cathedral located on it. On the square, tourists are greeted by numerous pigeons, which, according to legend, were brought from Egypt specifically as a gift to the Doge's wife.
Campanila (bell tower) rushed up here - the highest building in Venice, from where a beautiful view opens.
- We recommend a tour of Venice at dawn without tourists.
Doge's Palace
On St. Mark's Square, you can also see the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) - a giant palace complex of the greatness of the Republic of Venice.
Bridge of Sighs
From the Doge's Palace to the former prison building, you can get through the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), which hangs over Rio del Palazzo. The baroque bridge has many different names, but this is the most famous. Through the bridge, prisoners were taken to execution. Therefore, the word "sighs" indicates the sadness and sadness of doomed people.
Rialto Bridge
One of the symbols of Venice is the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), laid across the Grand Canal. This is one of the most photographed places in Venice. Until the 16th century, wooden bridges were built here, which invariably collapsed or burned down. In its current form, the Rialto is a curved marble arc with a flight length of 48m. It was built in 1591 by the design of Antonio da Ponte.
Academy Gallery
On the south bank of the Canalazzo is the Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia), an art museum that holds the largest collection of Venetian paintings from the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries. Visitors can see the work of many illustrious painters.
Church of Santa Maria della Salute
At the mouth of the Grand Canal is one of the most striking sights - Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute). This is a church crowned with Renaissance-style towers. It was built in 1631 in honor of the deliverance of the Virgin Mary from the plague. The word "salute" means both health and salvation.
If you want to relax not only with your body, but also with your soul, come to the cities of Italy, open to world tourism: Venice, Florence, Verona and, of course, the Eternal City of Rome.
