An archipelago of a thousand small islands connected by waterways, Venice has risen and fallen in global political clout through the centuries and this has made it a treasure trove of culture artifacts and a must visit place for anyone exploring Italy. I have had the good fortune of visiting and exploring the city several times over the past 15 years. From the iconic gondolas, to the historic Basilica & San Marco Square and the surrounding islands of Murano and Burano known for their artisans, not to mention the many wonderful eateries Venice is a gem to explore, the only down side is the overcrowding with tourists.
Dating back to the 9th century, the Piazza San Marco is the main square of Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica overlooks the square. The Campanile, standing an imposing 100m in height (originally designed as a watch tower for the city) and the Clock tower are other landmarks around the square. On a historical side note, the distinctive four horses on the facade of the Basilica were looted during the sank of Constantinople brought over to Venice. One can spend hours just wandering around the piazza and surrounds, there are many shops and cafes in the area to try out.
Perhaps the oldest bridge in Venice, the Rialto bridge is now a major tourist attraction, it has been rebuilt several times and current structure can be traced back to the 16th century. Another major landmark in the city is the Doge’s palace, the residence of the former de facto ruler of the city (the position of Doge being abolished during the Napoleonic occupation). The Ponte di Sospiri (Bridge of sighs) is a covered bridge that once lead to the city’s prison from the Doge’s palace. There are countless and may I add wonderful restaurants and cafes all over the city, however one must be a little wary of some of the overpriced tourist traps.
Burano and Murano are two very charming islands near Venice, both can be accessed from the city via water taxi. Burano is known for its charming, colorful houses, and of course a tradition of lace making. It is completely worth splurging a little on authentic Burano lace while on the Island. A historic building on the Island is the San Martino Church dating back to the 16th century. The museum and school of lace making are also worth a visit. Famous for glass making, Murano is a series of small Islands linked by bridges. One can visit glass making studios and see artisans at work here.
Full of history and culture, Venice has a lot to offer to any visitor. However, the high volume of tourists has become a challenge for the city. I hope sustainable tourist practices are put in place so that generations to come continue to visit and learn form the history of this once powerful city.
The Open Roads 