Experiences in Venice

The Basilica of San Marco (St. Mark’s Cathedral) was the central state shrine of the former Republic of Venice. Since 1807 St. Mark’s Cathedral was the central state shrine of the former Republic of Venice. Since 1807 St. Mark’s Cathedral has been the cathedral of the Patriarchs (an ecclesistical office) of Venice. The Special feature of St. Mark’s Cathedral are its five domes. The magnificent church is full of sights not only from the outside, but also from the inside ! Numerous mosaics, paintings and altars, the imposing gold apendium of the high altar, the so called Pala d’oro, adorn the church room, which is divided into three parts. Opening hours & entrance fees: St. Mark’s Cathedral: Mon – Sat from 09:45 am – 05:00 pm, Sun from 02:00 pm – 04:00 pm (free entry) St. Mark’s Museum: 09:45 am – 04:45 pm (entrance 5,- €) Pala d’oro: 09:45 am – 04:00 pm, Sunday and holidays from 02:00 pm – 04:00pm (entrance 2,- €) treasure house: 09:45 am – 04:00 pm, an Sunday and holidays from 02.00 pm – 04.00 pm (entrance 3,- €)

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous buildings in Venice and therefore an absolute highlight. The bridge is 48 m long and 22 m wide and connects the districts of San Marco and San Polo. The name of the bridge comes frome the area of Rialto di San Polo, which many centuries ago was one of the most important trading places in Venice. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge of Venice. However, the bridge was not named after the first design of the bridge by an architect named “Nicolò Barattiere”, then called “Ponte della Moneta”. Almost 70 years later, the bridge was redesigned and thus more closely linked to the market – since then it has been called “Ponte di Rialto”.

Why is the Bidge of SIghts called like that? The answer is very simple: The bridge connects the Doge’s Palace with the “new” prison in Venice, where the prisoners were able to take their last glimpse of freedom with a deep sigh before being inmprisoned from the bridge. It was built by the grandson of the architect of the Rialto Bridge “Nicolò Barttiere” and is only 11 m long and very narrow. The “Ponte della Paglia” a bridge over Rio de Palazzo o del la Canonica, offers an excellent view of the Bridge of Sighs.

The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of the most beautiful works of Gothic architecture. In former times it was the government building, the seat of Federico III da Montefeltro and also a prison. Here in the Palace in the Hall of the Great Council is the world's largest oil painting. In the Doge's Palace you can learn fabulous things about the history of Venice. Then you can walk directly over the Bridge of Sighs. You will feel how the prisoners felt in their last moments of freedom, don't miss the tour of the secret passages where you can visit the secret passageways, private chambers, torture chambers. Afterwards you can go to the roof terrace of the prison. Time: A tour through the palace can take several hours. Entrance: (full price ticket): 20,00 euro (reduced ticket): 14,00 euro

The Canal Grande extends for almost 4 km through the city of Venice. The width of Canal Grande is between 30 and 70 meters and the depth can be up to 5 meters. The lagoon main waterway separates the districts (sestieri) of San Marco, Canaregio and Castello on one side from the districts of Corsoduro, San Polo and Santa Croce on the other side of the Canal Grande. The Canal Grande is framed by over 200 magnificent palaces that characterise the entire cityscape. You can cross the Canal Grande over several bridges. The oldest of them is the Rialto Bridge, which was the only fixed connection over the Canal Grande in thye 19th century.