Top 5 places to see in Venice

Venice is a unique city built entirely on water, which managed to survive without cars to this day. The city remained unchanged for hundreds of years and is like a time machine that offers lovely views.

1. Basilica San Marco

This lovely Byzantine church dominates the Piazza San Marco and was built to show the world the infinite power of the Venetian Republic and to house the tomb of St. Mark. Visitors can admire the west façade, the atrium and floor mosaics, the central dome and Pala D Oro, the gold atlarpiece decorated with jewels, made ​​in Constantinople in 926. The Basilica houses a museum where there is a bronze quadriga with gold-plated horses, statues that adorned the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Loggia dei Cavalli is a wonderful balcony overlooking the Piazza San Marco, decorated with replicas of horses in the museum.

2. Doges Palace

This palace was the official residence of the Venetian Doges and features a wonderful combination of Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance architecture. The palace is decorated with paintings and sculptures of famous artists, including Titian, Tintoretto and Bellini. It includes The Hall of the Full Council, flourished with canvases illustrating Venice's victories, The Senate Hall, a fascinating maze of cells for prisoners and the Doge's apartments, decorated with rich brocades, impressive fireplaces, gilded ceilings and artwork.

3. Piazza San Marco

The political and religious centre of Venice used to be the garden of an old monastery, crossed by a river. The square is animated by a museum complex, elegant cafes and orchestras. Here you can find Basilica San Marco, The Doges Palace, the Clock Tower, Campanile tower (98 meters tall) and the columns of St. Mark and Sf.Theodore.

4. Canal Grande

It is Venice's highway, with a length of 4 km and a width of 30-70 meters. It winds through the city with a double curve, and its banks are full of the most beautiful palaces, such as Fondaco Dei Turchi, a Venetian-Byzantine building with an exotic air and round arches, and Ca' Pesaro, a magnificent Baroque palace decorated with stone work. Important nobles and merchants once lived in these castles.

5. Rialto Bridge

This bridge is located at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande, it is 28 meters long and was built out of stone in 1588. In the middle of the bridge are small shops selling jewellery, paintings, Murano glass and other items for tourists.