Ponte di Rialto, Venice

Since I read that the Campanile opposite San Marco tumbled down on July 14, 1902, without any warning but without victims, I am somewhat suspicious about the resistance of Venetian monuments, being aware of the soil on which they are built.

Consequently, before climbing the steps of the Rialto Bridge I gathered some information on the supposed strength of this bridge.
The previous bridge in wood collapsed in 1444 under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed again in 1524.
The new stone bridge was build between 1588 and 1592 by the architect Antonio Da Ponte (a good name for building bridges).
The overall length is 48 m, width 22 m, the single arch has a width of 28 m and maximum height of 7,50 m in order to allow the Venetian galleys, among which the famous Bucentaure, nowadays the Vaporetto, to pass under the bridge.

The engineering of the single span bridge was considered so audacious that another architect Vincenzo Scamozzi, competing to get the project for himself, predicted that the bridge would collapse.
So let's have a look at the engineering as the Rialto Bridge of A. Da Ponte is still standing and apparently presents no danger for the millions of tourists climbing her steps.
For each side of the arch 6000 "pali" piles of wood with lengths between 1 and 3,50 m were used for the foundations.
The balustrade of the bridge is made of "Pietra d'Istria" a quite resistant calcareous rock of bright white colour.
No doubt the Rialto Bridge is strong, nice and practical as wanted by the Venetian authorities of the 16th c.

Address: Ponte di Rialto

Directions: VAPORETTO: Ponte di Rialto Follow signs everywhere that direct you to Ponte di Rialto

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Ponte di Rialto, Venice

Basilica di San Marco - Chiesa d'Oro

Piazza San Marco of course wouldn't be the Piazza San Marco without the Basilica di San Marco. Aptly known also as the Chiesa d'Oro (Church of Gold), it is one of the most richly embellished churches in the world. The basilica is topped with an enormous cupola that is surrounded by several other smaller ones. As with many of the other churches in Italy, the fascade of the church is decorated with marble. In addition to the marble, there are beautiful mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Christ and St. Mark.

According to legend, St. Mark's body was smuggled out of Alexandria in A.D. 828 into Venice (hence, the name of St. Marks...Theodore, the Greek saint was patron saint of Venice up until this point).

When inside the Basilica di San Marco, you must set your eyes onto the Pala d'Oro, a golden altar screen set with 300 emeralds, 300 sapphires, 400 garnets, 100 amethysts, and 1,300 pearls.

Be aware that churches in Italy strictly enforce a modest dress code. No shorts, no bare shoulders or arms, and no skirts above the knees are permitted in the Basilica. Additionally, no pictures are permitted and silence must be observed.

HOURS:
Basilica and Presbytery
Apr-Sept Mon-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun 2-5:30pm
Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 2-4:30pm.

Treasury Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm; Sun 2-5pm.

Marciano Museum Apr-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Sun 2-4:30pm
Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 2-4:30pm

ADMISSION:
Basilica free
Treasury 2€
Presbytery 1.50€
Marciano Museum 1.50€

Directions: VAPORETTO: San Marco

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Basilica di San Marco - Chiesa d'Oro

Canal Grande (and palazzi): Run on the Grand Canal

The trip with the vaporetto on the Canal Grande belongs, as absolute must, to every Venice tour.
So, everyone can learn to know the city, from its best sides.
Magnificent palazzi lines the shore of Venice's famous water way, and the numerous stops offer the chance, to view in silence, the buildings, from the boat.

The French former ambasador, Philippe Commines, writed in 1495 about the Grand Canal:
“It is the most beautiful street that one can find in the whole world; it is surrounded by the most beautiful houses, and goes through the whole city.” The Grand Canal is the main street of Venice, with a length of 3800 m, and a wideness of 30 m to 70 m.

During the years, famous noble families ordered the construction of numerous palaces, which are, at the present, the pride of Venice. These edifices make part of the architectural history of the city. It is a pleasure and a great experience to admire the numerous palazzi and the church, placed on the shore of the Canale Grande, when you go by vaporetto, from Railway Station Santa Lucia, the beginning of the way, to the Laguna, the end of it.

The first palace, Palazzo Diedo, is placed on the right side of the canal, in front of the Santa Lucia Station. Then, you can admire the wonderful church San Simeone Piccolo, built in the 18th century, on the right side, and the Chiesa degli Scalzi, across the street. The boat dives off under the Scalzi Bridge, the first bridge along the way, and then, you can see other marvellous buildings.

Palazzo Flangini, built in the 17th century
San Geremia Church, existing since the middle of the 18th century
Palazzo Labia, at the present the seat of the RAI Television
San Marcuola Church
Fondaco dei Turchi, from the 13th century, today the seat of the Natur Museum
Deposito del Magio, the old grain storehaus from the 15th century
Palazzo Belloni-Batagia, built by Baldassare Longhena
Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi, actually Casino of Venice
San Stae Church with the tomb of the Doge Alvise Mocenigo
Ca’Pesaro, one of the bigest edifices in Venice
Palazzo Corner della Regina
Ca’ d’Oro, the most beautiful architectural juwelier of Venice
Palazzo Sagredo, built in Gothic Style
Pescheria, the Fishmar ket of the city, built in 1907
Fabbriche Nuove, built in the time period 1552-1555 by the Jacopo Sansovino
Fabriche Vechie
Ca’ da Mosto, from the 12th century
Palazzo dei Camerienghi
Fondaco dei Todeschi, at present the Main Post Office of the city
Then, the way goes under the famous Rialto Bridge, the most beautiful bridge over the canal and one of the landmarks of Venice.
Palazzo Dolfin Manin, built in the 16th century in Renaissance Style
Palazzo Bembo
Palazzo Dandolo
Palazzi Loredan
Palazzo Farsetti from 12th century, today the City Hall of the city
Palazzo Grimani, a Renaissance building
Palazzo Bernardo, built in Gothic Style
Palazzo Corner-Spinelli, built in 1500 by Mauro Coducci
Palazzo Mocenigo Nero
Palazzo Contarini delle Figure
Palazzo Balbi
Ca Foscari, today the main University building
Ca’ Giustinian, built in Gothic Style
Ca’ Rezzonico
Palazzo Loredan degli Ambasciatori
Palazzo Grassi
Accademia Museum, with many important art pieces
The vaporetto goes under the Accademia Bridge, the old wood bridge of the canal, and then, you can admire other important edifices.
The Palazzo Barbarigo with the famous mosaic façade
Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an unfinished palace from 18th century
Corner Ca’ Grande Palace, built in 1537 by Jacopo Sansovino
Palazzo Dario, built in 1487
Palazzo Gritti, today the most famous luxury hotel of Venice
Palazzo Contani-Fasan, in Gothic style, called the house of Desdemona
Santa Maria della Salute, the famous church
Dogana da Mar, the old duty department of Venice is the last building on the right side of the canal.
The way finished in the Laguna of Venice.
These were only a small number of the palaces on the shore of the Canal Grande.
This water way in Venice is a wonderful experience for all the tourists, which come in the city.

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Canal Grande (and palazzi): Run on the Grand Canal

Churches: San Giorgio dei Greci

San Giorgio dei Greci is Greek Orthodox church and the only Orthodox church in Venice. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, many Greeks found refuge in Venice. Their community became one of the largest and in 1526 they obtained permission to practice the orthodox rite and to acquire a piece of land in Castello area, where in 1536 they built the church designed by Sante Lombardo and Giovanni Antonio Chiona. The tall, slender facade of the church was designed by Baldassare Longhena. The bell tower was built between 1587 and 1617.

The rectangular interior of this very fine Renaissance church is dominated by the marble iconostasis with decorated panels in Byzantine style.

San Giorgio dei Greci is located in Castello area, sharp north from Santa Maria della Pieta church. It can be reached from Riva degli Schiavoni walking through Cale della Pieta, then turn left to Calle dietro la Pieta, then, just after a meter or two – right to Calle Bosello, then the first left to Calle della Madonna and, finally, before crossing the bridge – right. The church is in small yard by Rio dei Greci.

Directions: San Giorgio dei Greci is sharp north from Santa Maria della Pieta church. It can be reached from Riva degli Schiavoni by walking through Cale della Pieta. The church is in small yard by Rio dei Greci.

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Churches: San Giorgio dei Greci

Piazza San Marco

The piazza San Marco is in Venice the most visited square.
Each Venice-traveller looks for this world-famous place that so many architectural masterpieces have.One can bewitch also from the charm of the piazza with its famous constructions from different epochs.

At the east of the piazza, rises the magnificent facade of the Basilica di San Marco.
The Palazzo Ducale is placed at the south of the piazza. On the other side, lies the Piazzetta dei Leoni, a small place that is dominated by the Torre dell'Orologio. The Procuratie Vecchie are at the northern side.

On the opposite side gets along the Procuratie Nuove. There is accommodated, today, the Museo Civico Correr. On three sides around the place, under the arcades, there are stylish stores and expensive historic cafes. The Campanile (Bell Tower), Venice’s knowing nest landmark, faces exactly the basilica.

For a beautiful pause, there are many cafes from the place round.
In the Florian, in the Lavena or in which Quadri can you your silence enjoys, a coffee drinks or a delightful piece of pie eats.

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Piazza San Marco