St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
constructed in the ninth century as a small square dotted with trees.Already a central gathering place for Venetians, the piazza was enlarged in 1174 after the canal and an adjoining dock were filled in. The square became paved with bricks in 1267 in a herringbone pattern. In 1735 the bricks were replaced with natural stone and laid in a more complicated pattern according to a design devised by architect Andrea Tirali. The design marked the location where merchants could set up their stalls. As the largest square in the city and the only one given the designation of "piazza" (the others are all referred to as "campi"), St. Mark's Square has always been the location of important government buildings and other facilities central to the goings on in Venice. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
constructed in the ninth century as a small square dotted with trees.Already a central gathering place for Venetians, the piazza was enlarged in 1174 after the canal and an adjoining dock were filled in. The square became paved with bricks in 1267 in a herringbone pattern. In 1735 the bricks were replaced with natural stone and laid in a more complicated pattern according to a design devised by architect Andrea Tirali. The design marked the location where merchants could set up their stalls. As the largest square in the city and the only one given the designation of "piazza" (the others are all referred to as "campi"), St. Mark's Square has always been the location of important government buildings and other facilities central to the goings on in Venice. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
The original St. Mark's Church was situated inside the complex of the Doge's Palace and was constructed in 828. It was built to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist. The church burned down in 976 during an uprising. It was rebuilt twice, the last time in 1063. At that time the power of the Venetian Republic had risen dramatically, and the new basilica, consecrated in 1094, would come to symbolize the republic's growing power and wealth. This basilica is the one we see today. It was the doge's private chapel until 1807, when it became the city's cathedral. Considered one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, the Basilica di San Marco is known for its opulent design and gilded interior mosaics, and nicknamed Chiesa d'Oro, "Church of Gold". Its design is a mixture of eastern and western architecture styles resulting in a unique architecture typical for Venice.
Exterior: is quite ornate and has been added to over the centuries. Historians note that whenever Venetian vessels returned from the Orient, they brought something for the basilica, be it a frieze, column, or something else from an ancient building elsewhere in the world.
Interior: The magnificent marble floors are arranged in a geometric pattern with interspersed animal designs. About 8,000 square meters of gilded mosaics cover the walls and ceilings. Those completed in the twelfth century depict the New Testament while those painted in the following century concentrate on the stories of the Old Testament. The canopy - or baldacchino - over the high altar is known as the Pala d'Oro, the Golden Pall. It is a panel of gold decorated with precious gems, sitting on columns decorated with 11th century reliefs. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
The original St. Mark's Church was situated inside the complex of the Doge's Palace and was constructed in 828. It was built to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist. The church burned down in 976 during an uprising. It was rebuilt twice, the last time in 1063. At that time the power of the Venetian Republic had risen dramatically, and the new basilica, consecrated in 1094, would come to symbolize the republic's growing power and wealth. This basilica is the one we see today. It was the doge's private chapel until 1807, when it became the city's cathedral. Considered one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, the Basilica di San Marco is known for its opulent design and gilded interior mosaics, and nicknamed Chiesa d'Oro, "Church of Gold". Its design is a mixture of eastern and western architecture styles resulting in a unique architecture typical for Venice.
Exterior: is quite ornate and has been added to over the centuries. Historians note that whenever Venetian vessels returned from the Orient, they brought something for the basilica, be it a frieze, column, or something else from an ancient building elsewhere in the world.
Interior: The magnificent marble floors are arranged in a geometric pattern with interspersed animal designs. About 8,000 square meters of gilded mosaics cover the walls and ceilings. Those completed in the twelfth century depict the New Testament while those painted in the following century concentrate on the stories of the Old Testament. The canopy - or baldacchino - over the high altar is known as the Pala d'Oro, the Golden Pall. It is a panel of gold decorated with precious gems, sitting on columns decorated with 11th century reliefs. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
St. Mark's Bell Tower (Campanile di San Marco)
The first tower standing at the site of the campanile was built in the seventh century, possibly as a lighthouse. The first clock tower dates from around the year 900. Throughout the centuries, it was rebuilt a number of times, finally reaching its current look around 1513, after a restoration following a damaging earthquake. Campanile di San Marco stands 98.6 meters (324 feet) tall and is located near the front of the basilica. Most of the building is simply a plain bricked structure, topped by an arched belfry that houses five bells. Atop the belfry is another brick section decorated with walking lions (in honor of St. Mark) and the Goddess of Justice, representing Venice. On top of the bell tower is a pyramidal spire with a golden weather vane of top, which is in the form of the angel Gabriel. The five bells of the Campanile di San Marco each had a specific purpose. The largest rang at the beginning and end of the workday, one rang at midday, another rang to summon members to council meetings, a fourth proclaimed a session of the Senate, and the last announced executions. At the base of the tower is the Logetta, an ornate podium added in 1540. The Baroque design with marble bas-reliefs and bronze sculptures was created by Jacopo Sansovino, Logetta an architect and sculptor from Florence. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
The first tower standing at the site of the campanile was built in the seventh century, possibly as a lighthouse. The first clock tower dates from around the year 900. Throughout the centuries, it was rebuilt a number of times, finally reaching its current look around 1513, after a restoration following a damaging earthquake. Campanile di San Marco stands 98.6 meters (324 feet) tall and is located near the front of the basilica. Most of the building is simply a plain bricked structure, topped by an arched belfry that houses five bells. Atop the belfry is another brick section decorated with walking lions (in honor of St. Mark) and the Goddess of Justice, representing Venice. On top of the bell tower is a pyramidal spire with a golden weather vane of top, which is in the form of the angel Gabriel. The five bells of the Campanile di San Marco each had a specific purpose. The largest rang at the beginning and end of the workday, one rang at midday, another rang to summon members to council meetings, a fourth proclaimed a session of the Senate, and the last announced executions. At the base of the tower is the Logetta, an ornate podium added in 1540. The Baroque design with marble bas-reliefs and bronze sculptures was created by Jacopo Sansovino, Logetta an architect and sculptor from Florence. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
St. Mark's Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio)
is of huge importance, both practical, historical and symbolic in the story of Venice. The clock displays the time of day, the dominant sign of Zodiac and the current phase of the moon - it's an extraordinarily elaborate timepiece. The clock fulfilled a resolutely practical role in what was a mighty maritime empire in centuries past. Seafarers setting out from the Grand Canal could rely on this faultless timepiece to decide the most favourable time for setting out to sea. So reliable is the clock, that in 1858 it was made the official timekeeper of Venice - to which every other clock should be set. more at: www.tickitaly.com
is of huge importance, both practical, historical and symbolic in the story of Venice. The clock displays the time of day, the dominant sign of Zodiac and the current phase of the moon - it's an extraordinarily elaborate timepiece. The clock fulfilled a resolutely practical role in what was a mighty maritime empire in centuries past. Seafarers setting out from the Grand Canal could rely on this faultless timepiece to decide the most favourable time for setting out to sea. So reliable is the clock, that in 1858 it was made the official timekeeper of Venice - to which every other clock should be set. more at: www.tickitaly.com
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
By the fourteenth century, the hierarchy of Venice decided that a grand palace was needed, a building befitting the city's new wealth and power. The architectural style is generally referred to as Venetian Gothic - a gothic structure with byzantine influences.The facades include a lower section consisting of a ground floor colonnade beneath an open loggia. Unlike many other medieval era palaces, here at the Palazzo Ducale, the loggias are below while the solid walls are above. Architectural expects claim this gives the structure the "light" feeling so indicative of Venetian buildings. The openness of the building is a testament to the power of the city, which did not feel the need for a fortified castle, like most other cities at the time. Ornamentation is everywhere. For example, the capitals of the lower colonnade are decorated with historic and biblical scenes. Inside, the walls are made of stucco and the ceilings feature ornate works of art. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
By the fourteenth century, the hierarchy of Venice decided that a grand palace was needed, a building befitting the city's new wealth and power. The architectural style is generally referred to as Venetian Gothic - a gothic structure with byzantine influences.The facades include a lower section consisting of a ground floor colonnade beneath an open loggia. Unlike many other medieval era palaces, here at the Palazzo Ducale, the loggias are below while the solid walls are above. Architectural expects claim this gives the structure the "light" feeling so indicative of Venetian buildings. The openness of the building is a testament to the power of the city, which did not feel the need for a fortified castle, like most other cities at the time. Ornamentation is everywhere. For example, the capitals of the lower colonnade are decorated with historic and biblical scenes. Inside, the walls are made of stucco and the ceilings feature ornate works of art. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)
was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The bridge was intended to connect the Old Prison and interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace to the New Prison, which was situated directly across the river. There are a few theories as to how the bridge got its name. The first one involves the prisoners that walked across the bridge on their way to the executioner. The prisoners would "sigh" as they crossed the bridge, probably catching their last glimpse of the outside world, many believed. Italian Renaissance in style, the 11 meter (36ft) wide bridge is made of white limestone and two windows with stone bars sit at the summit of the enclosed bridge. The bridge took about two years to complete, with construction starting in 1600. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The bridge was intended to connect the Old Prison and interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace to the New Prison, which was situated directly across the river. There are a few theories as to how the bridge got its name. The first one involves the prisoners that walked across the bridge on their way to the executioner. The prisoners would "sigh" as they crossed the bridge, probably catching their last glimpse of the outside world, many believed. Italian Renaissance in style, the 11 meter (36ft) wide bridge is made of white limestone and two windows with stone bars sit at the summit of the enclosed bridge. The bridge took about two years to complete, with construction starting in 1600. more at: www.aviewoncities.com