A city built on water, Venice is a true marvel of engineering and architecture. From its iconic gondolas to its mask wearing Carnivals, Venice continues to enchant visitors to this day.
Get lost in Venice. With its maze of canals and narrow alleyways, the only way to truly experience Venice is by wandering aimlessly through its labyrinthine of streets.
Venice is composed of many islands but the most frequently visited are the main island: home to its most iconic landmarks, Murano: famous for its glassmaking, and Burano: known for the tradition of lace-making and its brightly painted houses.
Here’s my comprehensive guide, of my favorite Italian city, the captivating city of Venice.
Quick Facts
1.There are no cars, due to the lack of actual roads, visitors can only experience Venice by boat or foot.
2. Venice is sinking, as a result of rising sea levels and many other factors, every year Venice sinks at a rate of approximately 1-2 millimeters.
3. Venice is often credited as being one of the primary origins of masquerade culture, the earliest masquerade balls can be traced back to the Italian Renaissance, where the nobility and aristocracy wore masks to lavish events in order to hide their social status and engage in romantic liaisons anonymously.
4. Venice is prone to flooding. Not surprisingly throughout the year flooding or Acqua Alta (High Water) occurs due to high tides or storm surges. However, the worst flooding typically occurs from October to February.
5. Venice’s population has been steadily declining because of the high living costs, over tourism, and lack of employment opportunities.
History
Spanning over 1,500 years, refugees fleeing barbarian invasion constructed homes on wooden pilings driven into the marshy ground of the Venetian Lagoon. Stone foundations were laid on the wooden pilings, providing the base for the palaces, churches, and public squares that would come to define Venice’s architectural legacy. Venice’s strategic location and naval prowess allowed it to expand its territory and defend itself against rival powers, including the Byzantine Empire, Genoa, and the Ottoman Empire. Additionally, the emerging man-made islands of Venice became a powerful maritime republic that dominated trade between Europe and the East. The wealth and cultural influence gained from their flourishing trade, helped Venice enter a golden age of art, architecture, and intellectual achievement, with artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Giovanni Bellini.
The Venetian Republic elected leaders known as the Doge who was like the Head of State and his authority was balanced by institutions, including the Council of Ten, the Senate, and the Great Council itself. The United States parallels this system of elected representatives, with it the President and Congress. It is said that the founders of the US may have been inspired by the principles of republicanism and the structures of government found in historical examples such as the Venetian Republic.
Once an independent power, Venice gradually lost this independence over several centuries, influenced by factors such as economic decline and military conflicts. In 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces invaded Italy, and Venice fell to French control, ending over a millennium of independence as a republic. Later much of northern Italy, fell under the control of Austrian dominion. Finally, in 1866, movement to unify Italy succeeded in liberating Venice from Austrian rule and forming the Kingdom of Italy, under the leadership of the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.
Things to See
The Grand Canal
Venice’s main waterway, no gondola ride is complete without riding along this famous canal. Alternatively, for a stunning view of this bustling thoroughfare head for the Rialto Bridge connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo and one of only four bridges that cross the Grand Canal in Venice. Here, visitors can take the best photographs of the panoramic views of the Grand Canal and explore countless specialty shops that line its shores.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Adorned with intricate mosaics, marble columns, and domes, the basilica is located in St. Mark’s Square and is a symbol of Venice’s wealth and power during the Byzantine era. It is very unique when compared with other churches in Italy.
St. Mark’s Square): The main square of Venice, Piazza San Marco is surrounded by some of the city’s most important landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile (bell tower).
Here you will find the oldest still-operating cafes in the world Caffè Florian, established in 1720, Caffè Florian was once a gathering place for artists, writers, intellectuals, and celebrities for centuries. Although pricey, patrons can enjoy a thick indulgent Italian hot chocolate (I highly recommend this on a cold day) or a cocktail while viewing the café’s interiors, adorned with frescoes, chandeliers, and gilded mirrors.
Doge’s Palace
Near to St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace served as the residence of the Doge, the once ruler of Venice. Visitors can explore its grand halls, ornate chambers, and historic artwork, including works by Tintoretto and Veronese.
We spent hours staring at the ornately decorated ceilings while we listened to the museums accompanying audio guide. It was truly like stepping back in time.
Bridge of Sighs
Connecting the Doge’s Palace to the New Prison, the Bridge of Sighs is a famous landmark that according to tradition, was where prisoners would sigh as they crossed the bridge, catching their last glimpse of Venice before imprisonment.
Venetian Cuisine
Each region of Italy maintains its own culinary specialties. Venetian dishes consist of lots of seafood and risottos. In particular one famed dish is risotto al nero di seppia, named for its distinctive black color that arises from its star ingredient squid ink. Another specialty of the region is cicchetti a type of tapa or small plate these can include bread crostini topped with creamy spreads, skewered meats and vegetables, and fried foods like arancini (rice balls) or meatballs called polpette.
The best Italian meals I ever ate, have always been in Venice. Some restaurants I have been to that I would recommend include: Trattoria Da GiGio we stopped here last minute and both had delicious decadent pasta dishes, plus the service was very friendly and kind. Ca Dolfin, we made dinner reservations here and found the menu to be very small but it was the freshest best frittura di pesce (fried shrimps and calamari) I ever had. Osteria Fanal del Codega, I stopped here for lunch with my mom and we both had pasta dishes. I typically prefer cream sauces to red sauces for pastas but I got a red sauce at Osteria Fanal del Codega and it was the best most flavorful red sauce I ever had. A great place for a quick bite is Farini where they sell pizza by the slice and I have always found the pizza to be fresh and delicious.
Why are Gondola Rides so expensive?
Venice has a limited number of licensed gondolas, which creates a high demand for gondola rides. Historically, gondoliers are born into the profession with the profession of gondolier often passed down from father to son, with knowledge and skills being transmitted within gondolier families through generations. Additionally, Gondola rides are regulated by the city of Venice, and gondoliers pay a variety of licensing fees and taxes. Further, there is a high cost of purchasing a gondola due to the fact that they are handcrafted and require skilled artisans to construct.
What to buy?
Masks, glass products, and lace are unmistakably emblematic of Venice, with an abundance of small shops scattered throughout the city. However, I love all the Jewelry boutiques found in Venice. One inexpensive shop I really like is The M Venezia. They have a few boutiques on the main island of Venice and every time I passed by their store window I took notice, until I finally had to go in. The M Venezia offers customizable jewelry options, or you can opt for one of their Murano glass bead pieces.
Marco Polo and Venice
Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254 into a wealthy merchant family. His father and uncle, were successful traders that established a lucrative business that frequented the Silk Road. When Marco was just 17 years old, he joined his father and uncle to Asia where he met and impressed Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China, with his intelligence and fluency in multiple languages. He was appointed as an official in the Khan’s court and spent 24 years, traveling extensively throughout Asia, as a diplomat and explorer on behalf of the Mongol Empire. He visited regions, such as Persia, India, Tibet, and Southeast Asia.
Upon returning to Venice in 1295, Marco Polo found the city embroiled in a war with the neighboring Genoa. He was captured and imprisoned in Genoa, where he met fellow prisoner Rustichello da Pisa, who was a writer. Together, they penned Marco Polo’s memoirs, recounting his extraordinary experiences in Asia documenting his adventures and observations in a book titled The Travels of Marco Polo. One of the most influential travelogues of the Middle Ages, this book fueled Europe’s fascination with the East and played a significant role in shaping the Age of Exploration. Marco Polo’s legacy continues to endure to this day, as he is celebrated as one of history’s greatest adventurers.
*Popular pool game, called Marco Polo, has an unknown origin but one theory is that the call-and-response pattern may have been inspired by the way travelers in unfamiliar territories would call out to each other to locate one another during their expeditions.
In Summary
Venice is a city like no other and it’s my favorite city. Like stepping back in time, there are no cars so visitors must wander by foot getting lost in the venetian web of streets, cruise by boat picturesque canals, or savor the tastiest seafood and pasta dishes you will ever experience.
I lived in Italy for about a year and a half, so for more Italy travel recommendations, checkout my other posts.