Italy

Venice and its Lagoon

WHS Score 4.51 Votes 217 Average 4.63

Venice and its Lagoon is a unique achievement of art, architecture and struggle against the elements.

The old historical centre of the city is situated on 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon, crisscrossed by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges. Most of its monumental heritage dates from the time when the Republic of Venice was a major Mediterranean maritime power. Their influence reached as far as Asia Minor and Egypt, and its great painters inspired art in the whole of Europe.

Community Perspective: “Very, very crowded, the streets are a complete maze, and when there´s acqua alta (and that´s frequently), you wouldn´t want to be there without boots”, but still all reviewers find it captivating and truly wonderful.

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Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Venice and its Lagoon (ID: 394)
Country
Italy
Status
Inscribed 1987 Site history
History of Venice and its Lagoon
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • i
  • ii
  • iii
  • iv
  • v
  • vi
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources
News Article
  • Dec. 31, 2023 bbc.com — Venice to ban large tourist groups and loudspeakers
  • Sept. 15, 2023 reuters.com — Venice avoids being added to UNESCO list of endangered sites
  • Aug. 1, 2023 theguardian.com — Unesco recommends putting Venice on heritage danger list
  • Aug. 23, 2021 bloomberg.com — Venice Set to Charge Tourists for Entry From Next Summer
  • July 14, 2021 theguardian.com — Italy bans cruise ships from Venice lagoon after Unesco threat
  • April 10, 2021 theartnewspaper.com — After long complaints about pollution and blocked views, Italy bans cruise ships in Venice’s historic centre
  • Nov. 14, 2019 bbc.com — Venice floods: The historic sites affected
  • Feb. 6, 2019 telegraph.co.uk — Venice tourist tax to be introduced in May but criticised by Italian minister as 'useless and damaging'
  • Nov. 12, 2018 telegraph.co.uk — St Mark's Basilica calls for help to save mosaic floor after Venice flood causes '20 years of damage in a day'
  • April 29, 2018 dw.com — Venice installs turnstiles to limit massive tourist flow
  • Nov. 8, 2017 maritime-executive.com — Italy Restricts Cruise Ship Traffic in Venice
  • Dec. 23, 2015 telegraph.co.uk — Mass tourism is jeopardising our city's future which is under threat, Venetians tell UNESCO
  • July 16, 2015 traveller24.news24.com — Venice may restrict tourist access
  • Nov. 12, 2014 artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com — Jewish Museum and Synagogues in Venice to Undergo $12 Million Restoration
  • Dec. 2, 2011 straitstimes.com — Venice's Bridge of Sighs restored to former glory
  • Dec. 2, 2008 edition.cnn.com — Parts of Venice neck deep in flood water
  • May 2, 2008 theage.com.au — The sale and distribution of grain to feed the pigeons is now banned

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Religious structure: Christian
  • Urban landscape: Urban continuity
Travel Information
One million visitors or more
One million visitors or more
Palazzo Ducale: draws around 1.4 million visitors annually (2023) // …
Recent Connections
View all (143) .
Connections of Venice and its Lagoon
Individual People
  • Elias Burton Holmes
  • Leonardo da Vinci
    Fled there in 1499
  • Giosafat Barbaro
    Barbaro was born in Venice and was a member of the Venetian Barbaro family. He became a member of the Venetian Senate in 1431.
  • Painted by Claude Monet
    In 1908, Monet visited Venice and made several paintings of the city, depicting, among others, the Doge's Palace and the Grand Canal.
  • Attila the Hun
    In 452 AD Attila attacked and destroyed the city of Altinum. It is said that refugees settled on islands further into the lagoon (particularly Torcello and Burano) "forming settlements that eventually became known as Venice". The site of Altinum appears also to be just inside the inscribed boundaries of Veince NE of Marco Polo airport. See the UNESCO site for the boundaries and here for Altinum:

    See www.ogleearth.com

  • Goethe
    Italian Journey
  • Marco Polo
    Born and returned there
  • Gae Aulenti
    Aulenti restored the Palazzo Grassi as an art museum.

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • David Chipperfield
    San Michele Cemetery Extension (1998-13)

    See www.archiweb.cz

  • Lord Byron
    Lengthy visits in 1816 and 1818 writing several poems about the city. Learned Armenian at the monastery on San Lazzaro degli Armeni.
  • Galileo Galilei
    1593 became external consultant to the Arsenal visiting it and advising on matters of propulsion, materials and ballistics. His work there stimulated his development of the science of Mechanics
  • Donatello
    The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari holds a figure of St. John the Baptist by Donatello in the first south choir chapel.

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Sculpted by Canova
    Canova's own heart was interred in a marble pyramid he designed as a mausoleum for the painter Titian in the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, now a monument to the sculptor.

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Richard Wagner
    Having been exiled from Dresden in 1849, Wagner first lived in Zurich before moving to Venice for 6 months in 1859. There he rented part of the Palazzo Giustinian ("a palace in Venice, northern Italy, situated in the Dorsoduro district and overlooking the Grand Canal next to Ca' Foscari. It is among the best examples of the late Venetian Gothic" Wiki). and wrote Act 2 of Tristan and Isolde there. In later life Wagner stayed in Venice a further 5 times - in Sept 1882 he rented another palace, the Ca' Vendramin Calerg,. and lived there with his wife, 4 children and retinue until his death there in Feb 1883. "The Wagner Museum (Museo Wagner) opened at the palace in February 1995. It holds the Josef Lienhart Collection of rare documents, musical scores, signed letters, paintings, records, and other heirlooms. The holdings constitute the largest private collection dedicated to Wagner outside of Bayreuth The museum is open to the public on Saturday mornings by appointment."
  • Giacomo Casanova
    Born in Venice in 1725
  • Peter Paul Rubens
    Madonna with Child, in the baroque church Santa Maria del Giglio.
  • Ernest Hemingway
    Wrote and visited "Harry's Bar in Venice"
  • Painted by JMW Turner
    S. Giorgio Maggiore, Looking east from the Giudecca 1819, View of a cross-canal near the Arsenal 1840 etc.
  • King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Rama V)
    (14-17 May) met Prince Thomas of Savoie, Duke of Genoa
Geography
Trivia
History
  • Located in a Former Capital
    Republic 9th century -1797
  • Historic Resorts
    Lido Island: "In 1857, the first sea bathing facility was set up. This was the first time that anything like it had been seen in Europe and soon, the lido became "The Lido", a byword for a beach resort. The Lido's success and the fascination of Venice nearby made the Lido famous worldwide ....Major beach facilities, hotels and private summer villas have remained the heart of an island that is still known as the "Golden Island" (Wiki)
  • The Tetrarchy
    Statue "The Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs". On the Facade of San Marco.. Plundered from Constantinople in 1204 when it was sacked during the 4th Crusade
  • Silk Roads
    Maritime Silk Road; "Venetian merchants of this era established links that reached as far as the Mongol Empire and Persia, as well as Armenia, the Caucasus and Asia Minor, spanning many branches of the historic Silk Roads." (Silk Roads Programme)

    See en.unesco.org

  • Republic of Venice
  • Contains significant structures from the 21st Century
    San Michele Cemetery (2007)
  • Byzantine Empire and Civilization
    Byzantine territory, "a lonely and increasingly autonomous Byzantine outpost" (wiki)

    See en.wikipedia.org

Ecology
Architecture
  • Designed by Michele Sanmicheli
    Palazzo Duodo, Forts
  • Domes
    five domes of the St. Mark's basilica
  • Mannerism
    Scuola di San Rocco and others
  • Mosaic art
    San Marco Cathedral, Torcello Cathedral
  • Palladio and Palladian style
    Redentore Church; San Giorgio Maggiore Church, Cloister and Refectory; Zitelle Church; Facade of San Pietro di Castello Church; San Francesco della Vigna Church; Convent of the Charity; Few Rooms in the Ducal Palace
  • Octagons
    Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Friari
  • Cosmatesque
  • Wooden architecture
    The squeri (shipyards)
  • Gold Surfaces
    St. Mark Cathedral gilded mosaics and facade decorations, Torcello Cathedral mosaics
  • Gothic
    Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Church, Golden House and Doge's Palace
  • Baroque
    Many buildings among them Maria della Salute
  • Renaissance
    Marciana Library, Scuola Grande di San Marco
  • Spolia
    Basilica San Marco: Many of these ornamental elements were spolia taken from ancient or Byzantine buildings. Particularly in the period of the Latin Empire (1204–1261), following the Fourth Crusade, the Venetians pillaged the churches, palaces, and public monuments of Constantinople and stripped them of polychrome columns and stones. Once in Venice, some of the columns were sliced for revetmets and patere; others were paired and spread across the façades or used as altars. Despoliation continued in later centuries, notably during the Venetian–Genoese Wars.Venetian sculptors also integrated the spoils with local productions, copying the Byzantine capitals and friezes so effectively that some of their work can only be distinguished with difficulty from the originals. (Wiki)
  • Designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi
    Procuratorie Nuove, Church and convent of San Nicola da Tolentino, Palazzo Duodo, Church and hospital of San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti, Facade of San Giorgio Maggiore, Palazzo Contarini degli Scrigni, Palazzo Loredan Vendramin, Biblioteca Marciana (completion)
Damaged
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
Human Activity
  • Spice Route
    Trade hub, selling spices to rest of Europe
  • Armouries
    Arsenal

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Masks
    Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice. The masks are typically worn during the Carnevale (Carnival of Venice), but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status. (wiki)

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Shipyards
    Arsenal

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Leprosy
    Island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni "Lying just off the Lido, San Lazzaro degli Armeni is a small, very green monastery island....(which) served as an asylum in the 12th Century and later became a hospital island for lepers, named after their patron saint Lazarus. The lepers were then transferred to the Ospedale di San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti at Santi Giovanni e Paolo"
  • Museum History
    Statuario Pubblico was one of the oldest city museums established by a government for propaganda causes and to educate its people

    See www.polomuseale.venezia.beniculturali.it

  • Protective engineering works against flooding
    Venice has flooded regularly in storm surges. Plans to protect the city include the "MOSE" project (Inflatable pontoons across the lagoon entrances)
  • Festivals
    Venice Carnival
  • Frescoes or murals by famous painters
    Scuola di San Rocco by Tintoretto, Saint Sebastian's Church by Paolo Veronese
  • Boats
    Gondolas
  • Paintings by Venetian Vedutisti
    various
  • Artificial Islands
    Several of the smaller islands in the lagoon are artificial e.g Sacca Fisola There is also a development taking place for the cemetery island of San Michele to create a new island alongside it.

    See www.archiweb.cz

  • Grand Tour
  • Thanatourist destination
    Poveglia: "the walls of the ancient buildings on the island are covered in vines and stained with graffiti left by morbidly curious travellers – known as dark tourists." (see link)

    See www.express.co.uk

  • Historical Graffiti
    Piraeus Lion, one of four lion statues on display at the Venetian Arsenal, with two lengthy runic inscriptions into its shoulders and flanks: "at some point in the 11th century travelling Vikings had carved the runes as a form of graffiti"

    See www.historytoday.com

  • Sea Ports
Constructions
  • Historical Cafés
    Cafe Florian 1720
  • Quadriga
    "The Horses of St Mark". Dating "from classical antiquity and .. attributed to the 4th century BC Greek sculptor Lysippos" (Wiki). Long displayed in the Hippodrome at Constantinople with the Quadriga to which they were attached, the horses were looted by Venetian forces at the sacking of that city during the 4th Crusade in 1204 and placed on the loggia above the porch of St Mark's Basilica. They were then looted again by Napoleon in 1797 for use on the Arc de Triomph but were returned to St Mark's loggia in 1815 where they remaineduntil the 1980s when they were moved inside and replaced by replicas. See

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Cemeteries
    Cemetery Island of San Michele

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Theatres and Opera Houses
    La Fenice 1792
  • Bridges with Buildings on them
    Rialto Bridge

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Astronomical clocks
    St Mark's
  • Leaning Tower
    The Campanile of San Martino church on the island of Burano, the Campanile of San Giorgio dei Greci
  • Elevators
    Campanile
  • Built on Stilts
    "In this coherent ecosystem where the muddy shelves (alternately above and below water level) are as important as the islands, pile-dwellings, fishing villages and rice-fields need to be protected no less than the palazzi and churches." (OUV) - "Those fleeing barbarian invasions who found refuge on the sandy islands of Torcello, Iesolo, and Malamocco, in this coastal lagoon, learned to build by driving closely spaced piles consisting of the trunks of alder trees, a wood noted for its water resistance, into the mud and sand,[52][53] until they reached a much harder layer of compressed clay. Building foundations rested on plates of Istrian limestone placed on top of the piles." (wiki)
  • Monumental Columns
    Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro - Commemorating the city's 2 patrons - "the winged lion (symbol of Saint Mark) and Saint Theodore (the Byzantine Saint of Amasea), the city’s first protector.". Erected in 1127 having been brought in as spoils of war from an unknown location.
  • Canals
  • Notable Bridges
    Rialto Bridge, a single span stone bridge (1591), its design similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded.

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Loggia
    Contarini dal Bovolo Palace
  • Clock Tower
    Torre dell'Orologio at St. Mark Square: The tower was built during 1496 and 1497 and the mechanism of the clock was then built into it (wiki)

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Freestanding Bell Tower
    St Mark Campanile
  • Dynastic Burial Places
    Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo for the Venetian doges
  • Ossuary
    Isola Sant'Ariano
  • Notable Hotels
    Grand Hotel des Bains, Lido. The actual location where Thomas Mann "got the inspiration" for his novella "Death in Venice" and actually used as the main location in the movie (and as Shepheards in Cairo in "The English Patient"). A significant Palladian/Art Nouveau building from 1900.
  • Equestrian Statues
    Bartolomeo Colleone Captain General of the Republic. Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo (By Verrocchio - but he died 1488 before the clay model could be cast) See link for history and issues re location. Victor Emmanuel II (1887) Riva degli Schiavoni

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Large squares
    Piazza San Marco, 12000 m2
  • Hospitals
    Hospital complex on Castello
  • Music Academies
    Conservatorio Marcello
  • Prison
    Prison at the Doge's Palace
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News
bbc.com 12/31/2023
Venice to ban large tourist groups…
reuters.com 09/15/2023
Venice avoids being added to UNESC…
theguardian.com 08/01/2023
Unesco recommends putting Venice o…
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Community Reviews

Show full reviews
First published: 26/08/24.

Andrew_Kerr

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Andrew_Kerr

If you are bored with Venice you are surely bored with life. I've been there 5 times and I never find it boring. It's become very overcrowded in the summertime, something of a victim of it's own success but go in the winter when it's cold and foggy and practically deserted and you'll see a totally different city. It's so much easier to get around in winter too, there aren't so many vaporettos but the ones that run are less crowded.
I can't say that there's any one thing that you really should see or one thing you should do, just being there is enough. It shouldn't exist, it's a crazy notion to build a city in the middle of a lagoon, especially 1,500 years ago and then to go on to dominate trade in the eastern Mediterranean but they did it. Venice's fall from grace was equally spectacular and they are now "just" a major tourist destination with all the problems that brings. The locals can get fed up with hoards of tourists and I don't blame them but I've always met nice locals there. It's not for everyone, my friend is a great traveler and supporter of World Heritage and she was unimpressed, I still don't know how, but for most of us it's a magical place that should be on everyone's bucket list.

 

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First published: 22/07/22.

Ilya Burlak

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Ilya Burlak

Having just returned from my fifth trip to Venice - but the first for nearly a decade - I feel compelled to say something about a timeless place that is so well known and so well reviewed that it is impossible to offer an original thought in appreciation. Anyway, here is my personal restatement of what others offered in the past: There is no place in the Western Hemisphere that continues to fascinate me as much as La Serenissima, and no other place that I believe is as rewarding when explored on foot.

If you are not an avid urban walker, you can still enjoy all of the top sights in Venice, since the vast majority of them are next to or within a short walk of a vaporetto stop - Linea Uno by itself puts you in touch with practically every major point of interest (hint: buy a multi-day pass, which starts saving you money on your 3rd trip per day on average).

But you will miss a lot if you do just that. Hit all of your major targets, by all means, but also find time to wander aimlessly around the city. The real charm of Venice is found away from tourist crowds. Forget about the map for a while, walk where your whims take you, retrace a few steps when faced with a canal without any means to cross, linger where you feel like it - I would strongly argue that along with seeing its …

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First published: 11/09/16.

Jay T

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Jay T

What is there to say about Venice that hasn't already been said? It's not surprising this World Heritage Site is the most reviewed of all the Italian sites; this city on water is captivating. I've visited Venice twice, and both times left me wanting more time to explore. Traveling by boat on the Grand Canal, the Venetian architecture is mesmerizing, while the smaller side canals offer a more intimate view of the city's colorful neighborhoods. Venice's vaporetto system offers a relatively inexpensive way to travel around the islands, and I highly recommend taking Line 1 for an evening circumnavigation of the Grand Canal, when all the churches and palaces are illuminated. On foot, the paths between neighborhoods meander past churches and apartments and plazas, with a variety of bridges crossing the network of canals. It's easy and worthwhile to lose oneself in Venice in this way, but if you need reorientation, the signs on the corners of the building direct back to main parts of the city. Recent press articles have bemoaned the death of Venice by tourism; I agree it should be managed, but I'd have to say I did not feel overwhelmed by crowds on my prior visits in spring and fall. Perhaps those are better times of year to visit.

Logistics: Upon arrival to Venice by train or by automobile, the best way to see the city is either by boat or on foot. Venice's vaporetto network is a great way to travel around the canals and …

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First published: 04/02/16.

Els Slots

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

My first visit to Venice took place in 1987: it was my first holiday abroad without my parents, and I had joined a youth group tour to Slovenia that included a side trip to Venice. I remember nothing about what we did that day, and only have a few holiday snaps left of a gondolier in front of some church. So there is reason enough for a return visit to one of the richest cities in Italy in terms of history and art. But again in 2016, I had only one day to spare for Venice. This time I arrived by train from Aquileia via Cervignano.

So how much ground can one actually cover in one day? During the train ride, I noted down a mix of sights and activities from the 2005 Michelin Green Guide Italy and some ideas copied down beforehand from the internet. This resulted in an all-day itinerary of eight things to do: vaporetto to Canal Grande, St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, Sta. Maria della Salute church, Ca d’Oro, I Frari church, Rialto bridge and Scuola di San Rocco.

Unmissable from any day in Venice is a ‘cruise’ by vaporetto. Waterbus #1 follows the Grand Canal through the city center, but I (accidentally) started with waterbus #2. It also ends at St. Mark's Square, but arrives there via a different route. It takes a long way round, along the railway station, through the lagoon with its islets and in the company of larger ferries …

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First published: 12/07/15.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

I agree with the reviews praising vaporetto rides and exploring backstreet Venice on foot. At San Zaccaria Church, I saw a beautiful Bellini altarpiece with a joyous angel playing the cello. I also loved seeing Emma Ciardi's Impressionist paintings of Venice at the Ca' Rezzonico 18C Museum that is in a gorgeous palazzo. The Ca' d' Oro is another lovely palazzo with a fascinating collection of paintings and sculptures. Palladio's San Giorrgio Maggiore made me realize why Palladio is often copied in other nations.

I agree with the review that said Venice is the world's most memorable city.

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First published: 07/09/12.

Clyde

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Clyde

I visited this WHS various times. Venice is a unique place in the world and it is an enchanting city. In July 2009 I also visited Murano, Burano and Torcello islands in the Venetian Lagoon and the highlight of my trip was definitely Burano, with its colourful buildings and old local lacemakers.

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First published: 17/07/12.

Eric Lurio

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

Among the weirdest cities in the World, Venice, Italy must rank among the top five. I don’t mean this in a BAD way actually, but the place is completely so unlike anyplace else in the world that it cannot be called anything but very strange.

Other cities have canals. You’ve got Amsterdam and Stockholm, both of which are strewn with canals close to the water’s edge, but they have streets, and trams and other forms of mass transportation, which make those towns seem relatively normal. Also, while they have museums, they are not, of themselves museums. Venice, having lost its independence and its livelihood over two centuries ago, is.

The “serene republic” lasted a thousand years and a century before being actually invaded for the first time by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797. The reason for this was because of its intense weirdness. It’s a bunch of islands in the middle of a lagoon, connected by a series of bridges. Here, it developed a unique culture and set for the to build an empire which ruled over the islands of what are now Croatia and Greece, trading with the Byzantine and later, various Moslem empires in the east to become the cultural portal of the western world during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Even as new trade routes made Venice less lucrative, the serene Republic continued to thrive, attracting artists and architects, poets and visionaries. But that’s all gone now…

When the French finally destroyed the old Republic, they destroyed …

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First published: 15/09/11.

John Booth

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by john booth

Having seen the streets, piazzas and canals of Venice on previous visits, this time I decided to visit the Lagoon. Armed with a 12 hour ticket I took a Vaporetto LN from Fondamente Nova. This vessel cruised past St Michael's (Cemetery) Island to Murano with its lines of glassworks. We then continued past Mazzorbo and Torcello to Burano. I could see that Torcello's campanile was wrapped in scaffolding so I disembarked in Burano to explore the narrow canals with their colurful houses, and also for an excellent seafood lunch.

Returning to Venice I went to the church of San Giorgio Maggiore and for E5 took the lift up the campanile to get a bird's eye view of Venice.

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First published: 10/03/11.

Ian Cade

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Ian Cade

There are reasons why some sites are so famous; Venice is a case in point. This really is a unique and magnificent city, and really justified as being one of the most famous cities in Europe.

My visit was a truly wonderful experience, walking around it was hard to wipe the grins off of our faces. Arriving at the waterfront near St Mark’s square for the first time felt like we had just stepped into a Canaletto painting. Aside from the unique atmosphere of the road free city, the main sights were also very impressive. My first visit to St Mark’s Basilica was incredible, the mid morning sun was streaming in and making the gold mosaics shine, it really was an impressive feeling. Also the Doge’s palace was well worth investigating, the sheer amount of impressive painted interiors really made it worth the entrance fee. Venice can be a pretty expensive city to visit, but I visited out of season and managed to get some cheaper accommodation, and there are plenty of ways to cut down cost. Perhaps the most fun I had saving money was eschewing the costly gondola ride (€120 p/h) in favour of the wobbling across the grand canal on a traghetto (a gondola in which you stand up) all for the princely sum of €0.50, we enjoyed it so much we did it again the next day as well.

One of my favourite parts of my visit was strolling through the vegetable and fish markets on …

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First published: 29/08/10.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

I was in Venice earlier this year (May 2010) it was my first time and I have to say I knew hardly anything about it. My friend had been twice and had raved about it, so I went with an open mind. I loved it!

We went for a week, booked an Hotel on the Lido so we had the best of both, with a beach on one side and Venice on the other. We did just about everything we wanted to do, including a trip by bus down the Lido and across to Choggia on the mainland. We also spent a day trip across to Murano, Burrano and Torchello. We both agreed that Burano was the best, it was so pretty.

A lot of people only go to Venice for a day, they only see and do just a couple of things and it would probably be packed with people anyway, which can spoil it.

St Marks Square on a warm late evening when all the tourist have left and you can stop for a coffee in peace or have an ice cream or a drink is absolute magical.

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First published: 02/05/09.

Stewart Ayukawa

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

Visited Venice in 1985 and stayed in the international youth hostel a short canal ride from St. Marks Square. The city was somewhat commercialized, touristy, and expensive. I could only afford spaghetti! Magnificent architecture and a unique system of canals make this city a real gem. St Marks was really impressive. The small Gugenheim art gallery had a precious collection of paintings. The city lacked the local charm of other Italian cities.

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First published: 30/07/06.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

One of the most overwhelming scenes that I remember in my life is when you turn around the corner and arrive to St. Mark's Square in Venice. The sight of that amazing church, the thousands of doves, and yes, the bunch of tourists, simply took my breath away. Venice has a lot of other sights worth visiting, and the city itself, just walking around and getting lost in it (don't worry, eventually you get to St. Mark's Square again, even if you don't understand how). If you feel like running away from all the crowds, you can take a boat to the pintoresque island of Burano, where you will find lovely streets with colorful houses and a much more peaceful sorrounding than Venice. Venice is a very romantic city, but even if you go there without a couple, it is still very enjoyable

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First published: 07/06/05.

Ben Pastore

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

My visit to Venice left me wondering if this was a city or movie set. It was all so surreal. The charming narrow pedestrian streets and ornate bridges made it seem more amusement park than metropolis. The gondola ride was expensive and would hardly have been worth it had I not been on my honeymoon (I think you could get arrested if you don't spring for the ride on your honeymoon, let alone the fallout with the wife). Regardless, this is a unique place that more than earns its designation as a heritage site.

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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

Venice is a city of extremes. One either loves it or hates it. Like Prague, it hosts millions of tourists each year to the extent that one doubts the existence of a true Venetian citizen. Yet, also like Prague, it boasts incredible beauty and extraordinary qualities that make it unique among the cities of the world. It is no surprise that people flock to Venice; there is quite simply no place like it. St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, and the Doge's Palace with its Bridge of Sighs constitute the main tourist sights, along with the Grand Canal and its Rialto Bridge, but for me, the real joy of Venice lies in its labryinth of tightly packed streets, many of which end in the deadend of a canal bank but still others of which lead to remarkable sights far off the tourist radar. The city can be overwhelming with its crowds and its waterways, but if you take the time to lose yourself among the people and campi of Venice, you will find a delightful local culture lurking just below the tourist facade.

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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

My first and only trip to Venice took place in 2002 with my second cousin from Trieste.It was a remarkable experience. I had not known that one must take a train over a causeway(land bridge)to get inside the city.The only other way is by boat.

Once inside the ancient city, one is greeted and overwhelmed by history, architecture, arts and crafts and a flowing continuity of shopping adventures. We took a gondola ride down the canals on a sleek ebony colored luxurious craft and saw the home of Marco Polo and the original Don Juan who, my guide said, "had a different woman every night."

I was impressed by the enormity of Venice for I had always envisioned a rather small quaint place, but one can not possible walk over 400 bridges in a few minutes!

The expansive piazzas were host to tourists from every place imaginable and I strained my neck to view a gigantic tower whose grand image must surely have inspired the smaller version in Epcot in Disney World.Indeed, Venice itself reminded me of a ancient "DIsney World' for everywhere were the sights and sounds of entertainment. Itinerant musicians, wonderful Italian food, quaint shops with glass wares, porcelin, and unusual gifts which were too tempting to pass by.

The day at Venice went by all too quickly and even though it was raining a little that day, it was one of the highlights of my trip to italy and I have expressed my admiration for that city …

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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

To me this is the nicest city I have ever seen. First time I visited it on nighttime, during wintertime - I was walking on empty streets under moonlight four weary hours. It was strange to see the incredibly ornate inner rooms in houses, where light was on.

Next time I spent there four days. Managed to visit Burano island - it is something different, picturesque fishery village with leaning belltower and few tourists. Murano - pretty similar to Venice - but far less tourists, here you can spend much time speaking (or trying to communicate) with glassmasters or just look at their work.

I am dreaming about returning there some more times. For others - try to avoid the central streets - they always are crowded, prices are just stupid. Some quarters away - silent and much cheaper.

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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

I was in venice in april 2004 and I just can say one word "fantastic"! in this city you really feel you walk throgh history. No cars, just boats and very nice old churches. the highlight is for me to enter to St. Marco's square.. cuz first you walk trough soem thight streets and suddenly you get into St. Marco square and the effect of the change from the small tight streets to the giant square is really unbelivable!

also the view from the tower in St. Marco's square is so beautiful, you see the city surrounding by see and you feel like really being in 14th century!!!! great place to visit

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First published: 01/05/05.

Klaus Freisinger

Venice And Its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon (Inscribed)

Venice and its Lagoon by Els Slots

What more can be said about Venice that hasn´t been said before? One of the greatest cities of Europe, if not the world, and a place everybody should have seen. Sure, it´s usually very, very crowded, the streets are a complete maze, and when there´s acqua alta (and that´s frequently), you wouldn´t want to be there without boots. But hey, it´s Venice, and you can accept a few inconveniences to see St.Marks´s Square, the Basilica of St.Mark´s, the Ducal Palace, a score of museums, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, the gondolas, the Academy,...well, you know what I mean. Just wandering the narrow alleys and not knowing exactly where you are going is half the joy of exploring Venice. And if you are fed up with the crowds, just take a boat to one of the islands in the lagoon that are usually very quiet places.

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