WIZZ Guides compiled by Universal Business Media Ltd. Venice. Overview. Places to Visit. San Marco, Venice heart. page 1 / 7

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1 Venice Overview Famed throughout the World for its Canals, Venice is an archipelago of around 118 islands and where other cities rely on roads for transportation, Venice relies on, in the region of 150 canals. The canals also mean that the city is safe for pedestrians, as you can only cross to the other side on bridges or boats and are not tempted to cross at unsafe points. Another aspect of Venice known around the world is the Carnival of Venice, first held around 1268, since its inception colourful and elegant masks have been a constant feature. After 1798 the carnival began to decline and it was not until the 1970 s that it saw a revival. The Carnival begins on February 2nd and finishes on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The carnival is not the only long running event in Venice. The Venice Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d'arte Cinematografica) was started in 1932 and is the World s oldest celebration of cinematography. Venice and its mainland are particularly rich of museums and historical buildings of great artistic and cultural importance. Here you can visit a wide variety of museums, churches and palaces. During the 18th century Venice was a part of the Grand Tour, which in loose terms was an educational journey for young wealthy British noblemen. During the tour they would become acquainted with the aristocracy and fashionable society of Europe, as well as the Renaissance and cultural artefacts of olden times. Between 697 AD and 1797 the ruler of Venice was known as the Doge, which to all intents and purposes was an elected Monarch. To this day the Doges Palace is one of the most visited attractions in the city, along with the Bridge of Sighs or Ponte dei Sospiri, which connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. Venice has over many years been a been popular setting for writers, authors and film makers from Shakespeare s Merchant of Venice to Ian Fleming s James Bond series and films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The city is a must for food lovers no matter what their tastes or appetites; tasting the dishes of the local cuisine you can discover the beauty of a tradition and culture! Beginning with a 'classic' such as spaghetti with clams - on to stronger tastes with the 'sarde in saor', finishing with some typical Carnival sweets. To think of Venice as only being the city, is to limit you to the city alone, when there is also much to be explored outside of the city. The Venice lagoon is one of the most important moist earth's in Europe and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From north east to south west it shows a tangled schema of large and narrow channels, islands and sandbanks where hundreds of bird species spend the winter. The boat is the best way to discover its wonderful places. For first time visitors to Venice, guided tours are a great way to learn about the city and its history in a relatively short time. Places to Visit San Marco, Venice heart page 1 / 7

2 Saint Mark's Square is Venice's only square. It consists of an artistic complex of buildings in different styles that over time have created a harmonious setting to the square. Not to be missed in Saint Marks district. The Sestiere of Castello Castello was one of the earliest parts of Venice to be settled (fifth to sixth centuries). The district takes its name from the castle that stood there and which provided defence from attacks from the sea. Here is the ancient Arsenal that was an essential part of the life of the repubblica. The Sestiere of Cannaregio The name has two possible origins: it may derive from Canal regio, i.e. the main canal for communicating with the mainland or else it may refer to extensive reed beds found there in the past. The railway station is named after Santa Lucia because it was built in the area of the church of Santa Lucia, destroyed following napoleon's edit in The building is number 1 of the district. The Sestiere of San Polo This is the smallest area. In this district it was customary to 'live over the shop', i.e. dwellings and workplaces were often combined. On the Rialto and everywhere else we find an old and noble Venetian vocation: that of good food. The enjoyment of food is honoured here, even in its most simple and popular forms. All around the area we find 'osterie and bacari', taverns that also provide ready-made dishes including saòr, bigoi, in salsa, tripe, liver alla veneziana, fish fries, as well as the typical 'cicheto' (a morsel on a stick). The Sestiere of Santa Croce It is the northeast of the city and via Piazzale Roma it connects Venice to the mainland. All this area has been subject to many demolitions and transformations, starting in 1810 with the demolition of the church and monastery of Santa Croce, which gave their name to the district. The Papadopoli gardens were laid out in the area. Bagnara designed the gardens in the likeness of English gardens. They are now open to the public but have been completely changed. The Sestiere of Dorsoduro It extends over the southern part of the city, starting with Punta della Dogana that juts out into the San Marco basin like the prow of a ship. The 'dogana da mar' (sea customs house) of the Venetian Republic was built in the seventeenth century and consists of many warehouses that are hidden behind the façade. It ends with the square tower on top of which there are bronze statues that support the golden ball on which Fortune stands. After the tower, the Zattere begin: this is a long jetty that goes as far as Santa Marta. It was built in 1516 to unload the timbre, which rafts (zattere) brought down the rivers from the Cadore area. The Guildhall of St John the Evangelist Dating from the 14th century was brought to completion in the two succeeding centuries and therefore features elements of both Gothic and Renaissance art. The splendid grand staircase in the interior, designed by M. Codussi, leads to a great Salon: here it is possible to admire, among other works, paintings by D. Tintoretto. Ca Rezzonico page 2 / 7

3 A splendid palace by Baldassarre Longhena, a sumptuous Venetian residence hosting a precious collection of 18th century Venetian furnishings and paintings. Of great interest are the palatial rooms and the frescoes by G.B. Tiepolo, J. Guarana, and F. Guardi. On the third floor the Egidio Martini Gallery and its 300 masterpieces. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection For many years the Peggy Guggenheim Collection was a privately owned collection of art. Peggy Guggenheim was a member of the wealthy Guggenheim family, after her death the collection was opened to the public and saw it's 30th anniversary in Regular Events January - Regata delle Befane In the first week of January, Venice hosts its annual regatta, a rowing race along the Grand Canal. Fun for young families, race competitors dress as La Befane, an ugly witch and distribute sweets to children. February - Carnival The world famous Venice Carnival is the cultural highlight of the year and runs for two weeks. Thousands of revellers flock to the city to take part in the extravaganza of processions, masquerade balls, music and dance. Visitors can celebrate in various vibrant locations across the city including St Mark s Square, Palazzo Pisani-Moretta and Teatro La Fenice. March - La Vecia Held on Lake Garda, this somewhat dark festival is a memorial to the witch trials of olden days. Residents construct giant bonfires and re-enact historic scenes, culminating in an effigy of an accused woman being torched. April - The Feast of Saint Mark April 25th is the traditional feast day of Venice s patron saint. Visitors can enjoy watching the annual gondola race, sample delicious dishes and in keeping with romantic tradition, give their loved ones roses. May - Vogalonga Each spring Venice s Vogalonga takes place, a rowing regatta of hundreds of colourful crafts. The race starts from the Bacino de San Marco, traversing a 33km route before completing at Cannarigo. This chaotic event features a spectacular array of boats manned by thousands of crew members. June - Veneto Jazz Festival June kicks off Venice s most prestigious Jazz festival. The event lasts for several weeks and features an eclectic mix of local and international jazz musicians. The line up includes concerts at renowned locations such as Teatro La Fenice and Piazza San Marco. July - Festa del Redentore page 3 / 7

4 One of the oldest and important dates in the Venetian calendar is the Redentore. The festival features special church services, regattas, colour parades and musical performances. Visitors can also be entertained by a spectacular firework display that closes the event. August - Venice International Film Festival The renowned Venice International Film Festival commences at the end of August each year. The festival features an exciting line up of film screenings and premiers, attracting countless numbers of international stars. The event, lasting eleven days is held at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. September - Regatta Storica The Regatta Storica is a must see historic event that takes place every September. The event kicks off with an ornate procession of gondolas down the Grand Canal rowed by costumed locals. The Regatta hosts a number of competitions for women, youngsters and specialist rowers. October - Venice Marathon The Venice marathon has been held for twenty five years and attracts thousands of local and international participants per year. The race commences from Stra, a small town west of the city and finishes in the historic setting of the Riva Setti Martiri. November - The Festival of La Salute Each November thousands flock to the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute to light a candle and commemorate the end of the 1630 plague. Visitors can watch the ornate parade that crosses the Grand Canal, browse market stalls and sample festive foods. December - New Years Eve On December 31st thousands of revellers gather in St Mark s Square to celebrate the coming of a new year. Festivities include a spectacular fireworks display, music performances and a huge group kiss at midnight. Getting Around On Foot Walking, with many bridges spanning the canals, most of Venice is easily and quickly accessed. By Gondola When people think of Venice, one of the first things that comes to mind is Gondola s the traditional method of Venetian transport, however nowadays the Gondola s are mainly used by tourists. Water buses Motorised waterbuses known as Vaporetto, cover regular routes among the city's islands and along the main canals. page 4 / 7

5 Passenger Ferry In the areas not connected by bridges, foot passenger ferries are available at a number of locations. page 5 / 7

6 Local Services Apartments Rent in Italy S.R.L. Rentinitaly is a company specialized in services related to tourism. The idea of proposing vacations apartments is a result of experience achieved during many trips abroad made by the creators of the company. The most important need is spending a holiday with great freedom and comfort, in more space than a hotel solution and at costs more than convenient. Each apartment is equipped with all comforts, like everybody's own home. On the website are offered lodgings rentals for holiday among private owners. Detailed listings of apartments are presented for tourist use as well as B & B of the major cities art of Italy. Lodgings are approved by us, proposed and published online, ensuring in this way the right quality standard at an affordable price. Every stay in the structures promoted will become an experience to recommend and possibly to relive. We are very satisfied of what we do, because with do our best to make a nice vacation and to make know and appreciate our beautiful city. Many and such appreciations have been received in recent years! Address: Via Ottaviano Roma Tel: info@rentinitaly.com Web: Restaurants Osteria Oliva Nera WHO WE ARE Osteria Oliva Nera (Black Olive) is two charmingly small osteria, side by side, run by our Venetian friends Dino and his wife Isabella. They are near the Ponte dei Greci in the Castello neighborhood, not far from Piazza San Marco. Dino will greet you with warmth, take your order with patience, and try to fit everyone in with a smile. The fair priced menu features classic Venetian dishes such as sarde in soar (lightly fried sardines and onions marinated in vinegar), baccala` mantecato (creamed air-dried cod), stuffed fried zucchini flowers, bigoli in salsa (spaghetti with anchovies and onions), and variously prepared local fish and squid. There is always a vegetarian antipasto and a few meat and fowl entrees (secondi) to choose from. Dino will help you select a nice bottle from the list of country-wide wines. Reservations are highly recommended due to size. But if you find yourself out and about without your cell phone, drop by very early in the evening (7:00pm) or after the page 6 / 7

7 Powered by TCPDF ( WIZZ Guides concert : Dino and Isabella might squeeze you in, with a smile! Address: Castello 3417/18 Venezia Tel: Web: page 7 / 7