Venice tour

Discover the lagoon city and its environs, some suggestions to visit Venice

Venice tour

Visit Venice

Venice lies not far from Frassanelle. The tourist destination par excellence: a Venice tour is practically obligatory.

Venice sightseeing is a continual surprise and a delight for all the senses: the Doge’s Palace and its art collections are unforgettable, the Basilica of St Mark which still recounts ancient splendours, the splendid Ca’ d’Oro, the palazzos on the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge with its shops or the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, a jewel of Venetian baroque.

The best way to start a Venice tour is to follow the Grand Canal, aboard convenient vaporettos (waterbuses), along its winding path through the city until you arrive at St Mark’s Square and its bell tower.

For those who want to breathe the most typical Venetian atmosphere we recommend to visit  Venice on foot, walking along the calli (streets) and across the campielli (small squares): losing yourself and letting the city guide your steps is a truly unforgettable experience.

What we want to give you here is a list of some of the most representative  Venice sightseeing, which though not exhaustive, will offer you a good starting point to visit Venice and approach a city that reveals artistic beauties and unforgettable views behind every corner.

img_venice_001A real must in your Venice tour: Palazzo Ducale  It was once home to the doge (duke) and all arms of government including the prisons, which were connected to the building through the famous Bridge of Sighs. Two beautiful gothic façades in white stone and pink marble face St Mark’s Square. From the main courtyard you can ascend several stairways to reach the Doge’s Apartments. In the hall called Anticollegio, you will find 4 paintings by Tintoretto and one by Veronese. Another magnificent Tinoretto representing Paradiso (Heaven) is to be found in the Hall of the Grand Council.

Basilica dei FrariBasilica dei Frari: if you vist Venice you must enter this basilica built on ground given to the Franciscans in 1250, though it was finished only in 1338. Its exterior is plain and simple, of brick, while inside several unique masterpieces are preserved: the awesome altar piece of the Assunta (Assumption of Holy Mary) and La Madonna di Ca’ Pesaro by Titian, and the valuable triptych by Bellini. Also the many sculptures decorating the church are absolutely amazing.

Correr Museum Art GalleryArt Gallery in St Mark’s Square (Correr museum) : the museum is located in St Mark’s Square, you enter from the so-called “Napoleonic wing”, and then walk on into the Procuratie Nuove, which was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi. Besides the architecture and the rich interiors, the museum displays a facinating collection of paintings, books, documents, model galleys and weaponry related to Venice.

Scuola di San RoccoScuola di San Rocco: St Roch’s school was a religious confraternity, whose members in the 15th century played a fundamental role in Venetian society . Tintoretto and his students were asked to decorate the entire interior of the building, which is considered as one of the most spectacular monuments in Venice. It took 23 years for Tintoretto to finish the work. In the Superior Great Hall, to better observe the paintings on the ceiling  visitors can pick up some mirrors.

Santa Maria della SaluteA striking Venice sightseeing is Santa Maria della Salute: this church was built in 1631 in order to give thanks to the Holy Virgin for putting an end to the terrible plague which had affected the city. The building rises on reclaimed land, on the ruins of a former basilica, and rests on 1.156.650 wooden poles. Every year, on November 21st, the Venetians make a pilgrimage there, by crossing a bridge made with boats extending from St Mark’s to the Church.

Gallerie dell'AccademiaYour Venice tour can not miss the Gallerie dell’Accademia: the museum, located in the compound of Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità, displays the richest collection of renaissance, baroque and rococo paintings. The museum, which since its foundation in 1750 amied to preserve and restore works of art, has prevented many masterpieces from being lost. Among the notable names you will find Tintoretto, Veronese, Giorgione, Bellini, Titian and Tiepolo and Canaletto.

Peggy Guggenheim FoundationIf you like modern art we suggest to include a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation in your Venice tour: the Guggenheim is situated in the unfinished Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, facing the Grand Canal. The building, not particularly big, was for some time Peggy Guggenheim’s private house, and she is now buried in the sculpture garden. Inside the museum you will find a wide collection of works, especially of American modernism, expressionism and Italian futurism. Some of the most famous names are Picasso, Dalì, Magritte and Kandinsky.

Palazzo GrassiA contemporary art Venice tour must also include Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana: Palazzo Grassi is a majestic building facing the Grand Canal. In 2005 it was acquired by François Pinault who displayed its huge collection of contemporary works of art. In addition, the museum often hosts very interesting temporary exhibitions. Also Punta della Dogana, the former monumental harbour of the city has been recently restored by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando and was turned into a prestigious art museum in 2009.

If you are interested in contemporary art we suggest to visit Venice’s Biennale: the Biennale, located in the Giardini and in the Arsenale and the Corderie and close to St Mark’s square, is a contemporary art exhibition twhich takes place every two years. Besides art, many important dance, music and theatre festivals are held at La Biennale.This year the Exhibition will close on November 22nd.