This is a personal selection of classics and favourites places to visit, the real Venetian experience as I see it as a true Venetian. For ease of reference, the places mentioned below are, where feasible, close to each other.
THE CLASSICS
ST. MARK’S SQUARE
Piazza San Marco is of course the starting point. The most important and magnificent square of the city, which is the background to the beautiful Basilica of St. Mark and to the Campanile.
It is surrounded by the stunning palaces of the Procuratie Vecchie, Procuratie Nuove and the Correr Museum on one side; the other side, called Piazzetta San Marco and which is facing the lagoon, is surrounded by the impressive Palazzo Ducale and by the Biblioteca Marciana.
THE BASILICA OF ST. MARK
Piazza San Marco
Tel. +39-041-270-8311
Once in St. Mark’s square, a visit to the Basilica, which is Venice’s main Church,is a must. It has always been called the Basilica d’oro, because of all the gold leaf covering so much of it; also, among its many masterpieces, it has the most incredible mosaics. Underneath the main Altar lie the remains of St. Mark.
THE CAMPANILE
Piazza San Marco
Tel. +39-041-270-8311
www.basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/campanile/?lang=en
After having visited the Basilica, a trip to the top of the tower ensures the most beautiful “aerial” view of Venice at 360 degrees; an unforgettable experience, a must see!
THE DUCAL PALACE
Piazzetta San Marco
Tel. +39-041-271-5911
www.palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Still in St. Mark’s square, a visit to Palazzo Ducale is also an absolute must. This incredibly beautiful and powerful Palace is the old seat of the Venetian government, the Courts of Justice and residence of the Doges from the 9th Century to the fall of the Repubblica Serenissima. Its huge and impressive halls are richly decorated and the Palace is full of important works of art.
One thing to note in the photo above and the one below. The Venetian Doges appeared “informally” to Venetians between the two pink columns as opposed to their “formal” appearances which always took place on the balcony above or on the balcony on the other side of the palace facing St. Mark’s basin.
RIALTO BRIDGE
Rialto
The most famous bridge in the world. Its breathtaking view is balanced only by the emotion of crossing it! To stop on the top of the bridge and admire the view of the Grand Canal is an absolute must! A characteristic of the bridge is the alleyway of shops either side of the main stairs.
PALACES AND MUSEUMS
MUSEO CORRER
San Marco, 52
Tel. +39-041-240-5211
www.correr.visitmuve.it/en/home/
This is the “classic” museum to start from, where you can discover the art and history of Venice throughout the centuries in its magnificent grand halls which extend into the Procuratie Nuove. It also boasts temporary exhibitions on a regular basis. A must see.
GALLERIE DELL’ACCADEMIA
Accademia
Tel. +39-041-522-2247
One of the most important museums in Venice, covering from 14th to 18th century art history, in particular the best Venetian painters such as Tintoretto, Canaletto, Tiziano and Tiepolo plus all the many other artists.
SCALA CONTARINI DEL BOVOLO
Corte dei risi o del bovolo
San Marco 4299
https://www.gioiellinascostidivenezia.it/en/scala-contarini-del-bovolo
Located just off Campo Manin, not far from the Rialto Bridge, this stunning and unique ancient staircase, which is part of the Contarini Palace, is an absolute masterpiece and its incredible spiral structure is full of charm and mystery. As you ascend, allow your imagination to take you straight back to the 15th Century. The views of Venice from the top are seductive, as they show the City from the inside.
CA’ REZZONICO
Tel. 041-241-0100
www.carezzonico.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Located not far from the Gallerie dell’Accademia, this stunningly beautiful and powerful Palace is the perfect example of the greatness of a big and important Venetian Palace on the Grand Canal. The shocking beauty of its grand ballroom is absolutely unique, as well as the wonderful Tiepolo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Nobles’ floor; the Palace is full of masterpieces by Canaletto, Tiepolo, Guardi, Longhi and many others. A true Venetian experience.
ARCHIVIO DI STATO
Frari, San Polo 3002
Tel. 041-522-2281
https://www.archiviodistatovenezia.it/it
Located not too far from Ca’ Rezzonico in a wonderful old Franciscan Convent, is the State’s archive which is one of the largest in the world; on display there are manuscripts, books and documents related to the history of the Venetian Serenissima Republic.
CASA GOLDONI
S.Polo
Tel. 041-275-9325
www.carlogoldoni.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Located just off Campo S. Polo,this beautiful Palazzo houses the Casa Goldoni Museum and is the birthplace of the famous Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni. The museum now has a library and also a theatre study centre. It is well worth a visit.
CA’ D’ORO
Ca’ d’Oro, Cannaregio
041-522-2349
The “Gold house“, as it is called by the Venetians due to all the gold finish on the façade, is the finest example of Gothic architecture in Venice. Located on the Grand Canal close to the Rialto bridge, from where it can be quickly reached by public water transport, this stunning Palace is breathtaking! On display there is Baron’s Franchetti’s collection, including paintings from Tiziano, Giorgione, Guardi and Mantegna, as well as Flemish and Dutch art.
CA’ PESARO
San Stae
Tel. 041-721-127
www.capesaro.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Opposite to the Ca’ d’Oro, on the other side of the Grand Canal, there is another example of stunning Venetian architecture; designed by Longhena, the same Architect who designed Ca’ Rezzonico, Ca’ Pesaro is one of the important big Palaces of Venice. Today it hosts the museum of oriental art and culture as well as temporary exhibitions and events on a regular basis.
FONTEGO DEI TURCHI
Tel. 041-270-0303
www.msn.visitmuve.it/en/the-museum/history/fontego-dei-turchi/
Located very close to Ca’ Pesaro, this incredible Palace is home to the museum of natural history; its architecture is particularly ancient and very rare within Venice. It offers the chance to view the hall dedicated to the famous Ligabue expedition of the early 1970’s.
PALAZZO LABIA
S. Geremia, Cannaregio
Tel. 041-529-8711
Close to the train station, this is another important big Venetian Palace; famous to Venetians was the statement of the Labia family, which was “Labia o non Labia, son sempre Labia” which substantially means “I will always be a Labia, regardless of anything!”; a clear indication of the grandness of this family. The Palace displays masterpieces of Tiepolo, in particular the Grand hall full of works of Tiepolo. Wonderful!
PALAZZO MOCENIGO
San Stae, 1992
Tel. 041-721-798
www.mocenigo.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Located very close to Ca’ Pesaro, this wonderful Palace is a residence-museum on the history of fabrics, costumes and Venetian perfumes throughout the centuries! Fully worth a visit.
FONDAZIONE SCIENTIFICA QUERINI STAMPALIA
Castello 5252 (Campo Santa Maria Formosa)
Tel. 041-271-1411
Not far from St. Mark’s Square, this is an important and absolutely wonderful residence-museum of the Querini-Stampalia family. On display here is a library, a gallery, archives, stunning furniture and objects from the 16th Century, as well as important paintings by Tiepolo, Bellini, Palma, Longhi and Ricci.
HISTORIC NAVAL MUSEUM
Riva S. Biasio
Castello 2148
Tel. 041-575-4259
Located at a good walking distance from St. Mark’s Square, the Museo Storico Navale is the most important collection of relics of the Venetian Serenissima Republic, as well as of the Italian Navy; I remember very well the first time that I visited it as a child, an incredible and fantastic experience! On display there are miniature models, memories from the Arsenale shipyard and collections of uniforms; this is a must see, which contributes to an understanding of the Venetian glorious past as the world’s emperor of the seas.