1°Day: Venice historical centre
From P.le Roma, follow the indications to Rialto - San Marco to arrive at the St. Rocco Church, founded at the beginning of the 15thC and rebuilt in the 18thC, the Church of San Rocco (St Roch) displays works by G. Marchiori and S. Ricci, as well as numerous paintings by J. Tintoretto. Next to the church stands the Guildhall of San Rocco.
Proceed in the direction of the Church Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, erected between 1236 and 1338 through the efforts of the Conventual Franciscan Friars Minor, it was replaced by a grandiose Gothic Franciscan-style edifice in the 14th century, with a nave and two aisles and seven apsidal chapels (inside painting by Tintoretto and Bellini). The imposing 14th century brick bell tower is one of the highest in Venice.
Passing through Campo San Polo proceed in the direction of Rialto, crossing the Rialto Bridge, completed in the 16thC. This stone bridge on wood piling was built to replace a wooden bridge and an earlier pontoon bridge that once was the only link between the two banks of the Grand Canal. The shops lining the central passageway make it particularly picturesque. Before the Bridge there are the Markets of Rialto, one of the liveliest and most characteristic areas of Venice since the earliest times. Traditional place for meeting, trading and exchanging, the district is still has its picturesque and very busy markets: here you find the fruit and vegetable markets, flower and fish markets.
Proceed through the Mercerie, road famous for the many shop on both side of it, until Saint Mark’s square, the most known square in Venice. It has a trapezoidal shape and it enclosed on three sides by the arcaded buildings of the Procurators, it was once a remarkable showcase for feasts, ceremonies, tournaments and fairs.
Visit of Saint’ Mark Basilica (Gallery, Golden Altar and Treasure), that was the Doge’s Chapel and mausoleum of Evangelist St. Marco, in Bizantine-Romanesque style, characterized from its 5 domes, the Byzantine mosaics and the Quadriga on the main entrance. The Bell Tower adjacent to the basilica was once a lighthouse for ships. At the foot of the tower is a 16th century loggia by J. Sansovino.
Visit of the Doge's Palace (XII sec) that was the residence of the Doge and seat of the main government departments. It is of Byzantine origin and it’s characterized from the main entrance “Porta della Carta” in gothic style and from the saloons frescoed and decorated by works of prestigious artists like Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Bellini and Tiaziano.
Behind there is the Bridge of Sights which was constructed in the 17th century with two internal passageways. The bridge leads to the New and Old Prisons, the latter called pozzi (wells). A little window looks out over the Basin of St Mark offering a picturesque view of the Island of San Giorgio.
Return by boat line 1 along the Gran Canal where stand over 200 ancient palaces like Ca’ Rezzonico (it houses the eighteenth century Venice museum), Ca’ Doro in gothic style (today the “House of gold” houses the Franchetti Gallery), and Ca’ Pesaro (it houses the International Gallery of Modern Art).
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2°Day: Venice historical centre
Departure from P.le Roma by boat line 82 (direction San Zaccaria) until Riva of Schiavoni, to reach San Giorgio Island by boat 82 (direction Tronchetto), where there is the Church builted in the XVI century , planed from Palladio and the tower that offers a marveillous visual on the St. Mark’s basin. The tower was erected in 1791 and planed by the bolognese friar Benedetto Buratti to replace the fifteenth-century one falled down in 1774. Another monument of the Benedicine part of the island is the Abbazia Benedettina di San Giorgio Maggiore that was demolished and rebuilted 5 times before taking on the great appearance which one it appear us now.
Return to St. Mark’s Square, proceed along Calle XXII Marzo with shops of high fashion and jeweller’s. Alternately from St. Mark’s Square you pass under the Clock Tower and you go up again Calle Mercerie until Campo del Bovolo. In this small Campo stand one of the most characteristic building in Venice, la Scala del Bovolo, an original cylindrical tower opened with a motif of bowes on columnes. Here inside climbs a spiral staircase.
Passing Campo Manin you reach Teatro la Fenice, inaugurated in 1792, almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1836, and again recently in 1996, the Theatre La Fenice was the most important in Venice and one of the most elegant of Italian theatres.
We then come to Campo Santo Stefano that is enclosed by fine palazzi and where there is the Church of Santo Stefano after which the campo is named, was built by the augustinians in the thirteenth century.
You can arrive at the Accademy Gallery, (crossing the Accademia Bridge, iron bridge built in the second half of the XIX century) one of the most important museums in Italy, essential for the study of 14th to 18th century for art and history. Built in the half of ‘700, the Accademia delle Belle Arti was reformed by Napoleone in 1807 and since then it has its seat in the ex Convento della Carità.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal in Venice. The collection of works of modern art outlines the interesting path from Abstractionism to Surrealism. Temporary exhibitions are also held in the rooms of this ground floor palace (among the artists represented are Picasso, De Chirico, Mondrian, Braque, Duchamp, Delaunay, Kandinsky, Miró, Klee, Magritte).
Walk until the Church of Santa Maria della Salute. This 17th century church is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health (Salute). It was constructed after Venice had been freed of the plaghe between 1631 and 1687, and begun by B. Longhena. Very fine the overall effect of the statues that decorate the facade; while the octagonal plan interior is hung with important paintings such as the altarpiece by Titian in the Sacristy.
Return to P.le Roma by boat or walking along the Zattere, an ideal area of Venice for the strolls along the Gran Canal, passing through Campo Santa Margherita, picturesque campo surrounded by old fourteen-century palazzo and the little church Santa Margherita. The old belltower still has Baroque stone decorations
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3°Day: Islands of the lagoon
Leaving Venetia island, you can enjoy the open surrounding lands. The destination, in northbound of the Serenissima, is Murano , where we arrive in streamer ship from Piazzale Roma (boat DM or 41-42). The island that we sight immediately, and that we suggest to visit, is San Michele, monumental cemetery of the town. Between the green cypresses you can admire the white facade of the San Michele Church. The Murano symbol of the better tradition in glass art, preserving original gestures and techniques. The numerous laboratories and workshops allow visitors to watch the pieces being made, blown and finished before their eyes.
Going to San Donato you find its basilica, which is like a small Venetia, with the Canal Grande crossing it. It is interesting to note that not the main facade, but the side facing Murano canal, was mainly east oriented during the construction of the church. Inside, the Orante Virgin, image of a Byzantine Madonna that shining over sparkling wall. This island has other place to visit, the Glass Museum with millenary memories from this ancient art, backing to the Roman period.
Between the islands of Venetian crown one relevant island is the pizzas and laces one: Burano, reachable in steamer ship. The boat to Burano (boat LN) leave every 30 minutes, from “Faro station”. Once there, you will admire the colors of the houses, true pride of the inhabitants, simple and harmonic single houses chain in which each color clashes with the near one. Across the road, you can see gentlemen seat before the door, probably doing laces. A quiet and simple island connected by bridge to Mazzorbo, place with residences of noble and monasteries in past time. Visit the fourteenth-century church of Santa Caterina, preceded from a small lobby, with fine campanile and cupola. Then, continue towards the Merletti Museum, ancient insular art renowned and appreciated over the world, museum that is accommodated in the Podestà Palace, where precious tablecloths, three from ends of XIX century, excellent and ancient copriletti are done according to ancient techniques. Remember that between the more important island activities is the fishing and strolling between calluses and canals; there is relevant men seeking to fix the nets of their boats. We suggest to stop in a restaurant to eat the daily fish.
From Burano go to Torcello (boat LN). Torcello is the most ancient land in Venetia, formerly sediment on lagoon, today preserved as archeological testimony of prestigious past time. Near, you find Borgognoni, in whose place you see the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, from the VII century, keeping a precious mosaic of universal Giudizio, from XII-XIII centuries, occupying a whole wall. At side, the Battistero ruins, and Santa Fosca church, with Greek cross, from VII-XI centuries. Exiting by campanile, you find the Cathedral, where, in past time, fishermen and travelers had the reference point. From top you can see the Venezia palace. During the short visit to this island, you can visit the Estuary Museum, at Torcello place, with two different sections: the Palazzo del Consiglio, with Medieval and Modern section, and the Palazzo dell'Archivio, from XII century, with archeological section. Testimony of impressive past time, when there was the commercial route with Orient Empire.
Before evening you go from Torcello to Burano until Fondamenta Nuove (Boat LN). Here you can take a Vaporetto ( Boat 41-42) to come back to San Marco for a stroll until Rialto to admire Venice by night. From here to take again the Vaporetto to Piazzale Roma ( Boat 1 or 82).
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4°Day: Alternative itinerary
If you have more than 3 days to spend in Venice, here is what we suggest to do in the fourth day
Lista di Spagna: starting from the station go along Lista di Spagna, where there are several shops and drugstores. Not far from there you can find Campo St. Geremia with Palazzo Labia, built between 1600 and 1700 at the expense of the Labia family and today siege of RAI, and the Church of St. Geremia. Go on and cross the Guglie Bridge from where you can see Rio Terà St. Leonardo, where the fruit market takes place, and the Strada Nuova. Once you have descended the bridge turn left and after 50 metres go on under the arcade of the old Ghetto.
Ghetto: now you are in the area of the old ghetto. Ghetto, which derives from Getto ‘jet’, as in such area in ancient times there was a foundry for cannons, is a word born in Venice and all the ghettos in the world have inherited their name from the small insula completely surrounded by a ring of water where just the Jews lived. Then you will find, first on your left and then on your right, the largest and most recent Synagogues (Spanish and Levantine). In order to go into them and into the others, which are half hidden from the view, you will have to go on as far as the Campo of the Ghetto Novo and the Museum of Jewish Art, where every hour some guided visits to the Synagogues start (about an hour and a half). Once the visit is terminated,go towards the quiet Fondamenta of the Ormesani and go throughout it in order to reach the Fondamenta of Mercy where you will turn left towards Calle Larga and go straight on as far as the Fondamenta of the Madonna dell’Orto.
Church of the Madonna dell’Orto: this can be rightly defined as ‘the church of Tintoretto’: in fact the great artist spent his life in the neighbourhood; he is buried here and his canvas transfigure the interior by means of their pathos (visit 30 minutes). The Church was erected in the Fourteenth century but it was restored during the Fifteenth century and just for this reason on its brick front, which is divided into three parts, there are element of passage from the Romanesque to the Gothic and from the Gothic to the Renaissance. Going back to the Strada Nuova you will see other two famous Schools but they cannot be visited: the old and the new one of Mercy.
Strada Nuova and Campo Santi Apostoli: the Strada Nuova is plenty of workshops and shops, but try to enter one of the many narrow calli on your right; nearly all of them, facing the Canal Grande, let you enjoy and enchanting and unusual view of the buildings along the Canal. Entering the calle indicating the water-bus stop you will have the opportunity of admiring the magnificent front of the Ca’ D’Oro, in order to visit its interior. There, in fact, there is the Franchetti Gallery (visit one hour). At the end of the Strada Nuova, you will find Campo Santi Apostoli, namely an important linking junction with Rialto.
The church of Miracles: passing behind the Church of Santi Apostoli, and going on through calli and campielli you will reach Campo St. Canciano an then Campo S.Maria Nova, from where, beyond the narrow canal, you cannot help noticing the wonderful polychrome marbles which cover the sides and the front of the Church of Miracles. Once you have entered (visit 20 minutes) look at the splendid barrel vault with wooden coffer.
St Marco School and Church of Saints Giovanni and Paolo: being back to Campo S.Maria Nova, go on to the Calle Larga G.Gallina and after the bridge you will see the Scuola Grande of St.Marco on your left and in front of you the Church of Saints Giovanni and Paolo. This Church, which competes with the Church of the Frari for its greatness, stateliness and because inside it keeps, like the other church, a great amount of precious works of art, is an example of Gothic architecture. It is a brickwork too and has got a marvellous façade. Once you have entered (visit 45 minutes) by the portal of the Fourteenth century, that was built with columns carried by Torcello, you will be striken by the majesty and the height of the naves. In the Scuola Grande of St. Marco, one of the most ancient in Venice and founded in 1261, today there is the Civil Hospital of Venice.
Picture Gallery Quercini Stampalia: after crossing Campo St. Marina turn left towards Calle Pindemonte. Going straight ahead you will reach Campo St. Maria Formosa where, behind the Church, Palazzo Querini appears, namely a building where the old and the modern (inside it has been restored in an extremely modern and original shape by Carlo Scarpa) perfectly blend together. Today you can find: on the second floor a remarkable collection of paintings of the Veneto, Italian and foreign schools which were commissioned and bought by the Family from 1500 to the end of 1800, and on the third floor the Foundation Querini Stampalia which organizes many Contemporary Art exhibitions (visit of both floors at least an hour and a half). From here it is extremely easy, once you have walked along the Salizada San Rio, to reach Campo St. Bartolomio and Rialto. From Rialto you can take a boat, or otherwise to walk, to reach Piazzale Rome.
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5°Day: Riviera del Brenta
Make an excursion to the enchanting Venetian Villas situated along the Brenta river by car or by bicycle from Malcontenta on the way to Padova:
- Villa Foscari by Palladio at Malcontenta (this villa is distinguished by hexastyle Ionic pronaos designed by Palladio in 1560 and frescoed by Gianbattista Zelotti and Battista Franco. According to popular tradition, the name is taken from that of a noblewoman of the Foscari family who was “unhappy” about being confined to the villa because she was too free in spirit and restless)
- Villa Widmann at Mira (It was modernized in 1705 in an elegant French Rococo style and the frescoes are by Giuseppe Angeli of the Ginbattista Piazzetta School. The estate dates from the same period, including the extensive gardens adorned with statues and the large chapel attributed to A.Tirali)
- Barchessa Valmarana at Mira (it is situated on a bend of the Brenta river and was recently renovated, it contains the great hall that was frescoed in the second half of the eighteenth century with architectural prospect, allegories and landscape that were attributed at the Chioggia artist Michelangelo Schiavone or “Chiozzotto”, and the interior still displays original furnishings)
- Villa Pisani at Stra (it is symbol of excellence of the greatness and sumptuousness of the eighteenth century and here is the largest villa on the Brenta. The interior was decorated by best eighteenth century Venetian masters and on the ceiling of the main reception salon is a fresco by G.B. Tiepolo. In the park adorned with statues, the stables by G. Frigimelica are outstanding, and there are other extravagant architectural features and the famous hedge maze).
- Villa Foscarini Rossi at Stra ( built on an eighteenth century foundation, the interior is decorated with paintings in the school of G. Jappelli. The lodge is worth noting; it was once used for guests and boasts a large salon with allegorical scenes. And then it is possible to visit the Museum of Footwear, the shoe being a highly sought-after item of fashion and symbol of the craftsmanship on the banks of Brenta).
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