Visit Venice - Northern Italy
"Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go".
Truman Capote - American writer
The American writer Truman Capote visited Venice several times and was known for a famous quote describing the city. Capote's most famous words about the city are, "Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go". This was first published in Observer magazine in 1961.
He first visited Venice as part of a Grand Tour in 1948. He described the city as "hopelessly beautiful" and "the most enchanted thing on earth" in his journals.
Peggy Guggenheim's love for Venice was profound and defining, transforming the city into her home and the permanent home of her world-class modern art collection. Her connection to Venice was deeply personal. She summarized her affection for the city by writing, "To live in Venice, or simply to visit it, means that you fall in love with the city itself. There is nothing left over in your heart for anyone else".
Not to mention the most famous novel by the German writer Thomas Mann, “Death in Venice” that depicted the city as seductive but decadent and of course the great Venetian writers, to name a few, Giacomo Casanova (the famous heartbreaker) and play writer Carlo Goldoni.
Suggested itineraries:
First of all, you should know that Venice is divided into six sestieri (from the word “sei” (6) and “quartieri” neighborhood, ses-tieri), which correspond to the neighborhoods or “rioni”. Each sestiere has its own history, legends, and curiosities worth discovering.
The sestieri are:
Cannaregio: in ancient times it was a swamp full of canes (canne), from which it seems to take its name, and bushes;
Castello: the last sestiere to be inhabited by Venetians. It takes its name from a fortress that no longer exists. It also includes the monumental cemetery on the island of San Michele.
Dorsoduro: its name derives from the presence of compacted earth, probably debris and sand. It includes the island of Giudecca.
San Marco: is the heart of Venice and takes its name from the Basilica dedicated to Saint Mark, located in the square of the same name. It includes the island of San Giorgio.
San Polo: is at the geographical centre of Venice and takes its name from the Campo di San Polo; (or Rialto)
Santa Croce: for those arriving by car, bus, or boat, is the first point of contact with Venice. It includes Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, and the Maritime Station.
Each sestiere has important landmaks and museums but…
…the most important locations are found on the left and right banks of the Canal Grande, Venice's main waterway running from Piazzale Roma to St Mark's Basin.
The itinerary features magnificent historic buildings dating back to the 12th–18th centuries. These were the residences of Venetian aristocrats and wealthy merchants from foreign countries. The best way to enjoy a comfortable historical tour of Venice is to take vaporetto (water bus) number 1 from the Piazzale Roma’s jetty.
Cannaregio:
Church Of St. Mary Of Nazareth (Chiesa Degli Scalzi)
Church Of Saints Jeremiah and Lucia
Labia Palace
Guglie Bridge (Spires Bridge) And Cannaregio Canal
Venice’ Jewish Ghetto
Faliero Palace
Castello:
Basilica Of Saints John And Paul
Grimani Palace (Art Museum)
Church Of San Francesco Della Vigna
Church Of San Giorgio Dei Greci
Church San Zaccaria
Riva Degli Schiavoni
Dorsoduro:
Academy Galleries (The Galleries' most famous work is Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, exhibited only on special occasions and fortunately not stolen by Napoleon's troops)
Palazzo Venier Dei Leoni – Peggy Guggenheim’s Museum (Modern Art)
Church Of Santa Maria della Salute
Customs Point (Punta Della Dogana)
Ca' Rezzonico (Fine Art Museum)
San Marco:
Originally called " Rivoalto ," the name Rialto derives from the port area, bustling with commercial traffic. At the heart of the sestiere is Piazza San Marco, the thousand-year-old seat of the Republic's political and judicial government.
It is the most visited sestiere, so rich in works of art that a week would be not be enough to visit. In this sestiere, you'll find St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), the Clock Tower, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, and more.
Don't underestimate the view of St. Mark's Basin, with views of the Island of San Giorgio, Giudecca, Lido, and the Basilica della Salute.
Given the high number of tourists, it's best to visit the sestiere in the early hours of the morning.
St. Mark's Square
Palazzo Ducale (The Ducal Palace)
St Mark's Bell Tower “El Paron De Casa”
Clock Tower
The Lagoon Islands:
Burano
Murano
Torcello
A note:
This is just a rough guide; there is much more to see in Venice, and even getting lost in the narrow streets (andar par sconte) is a wonderful adventure.
