Venice

The Basilica of San Marco, undoubtedly the most famous church of Venice and one of the most famous in the world, was once the private chapel of Ducale and decorated with Byzantian art treasures that had been part of the loot brought back by Venetian ships after the fall of Constantinople.

Visitors would once arrive in Venice below the façade of this remarkable palace. They had no choice but to be impressed with the size as well as the finesse of the architecture.

Canal Grande meanders through the heart of Venice in a large mirrored s-shape. The most important boulevard of the city, it connects San Marco square, the Rialto bridge and the points of arrival from the train station and the bridge from the mainland.

The Rialto bridge, once the only bridge across Canal Grande, marks the location of the first settlers on the island called Rivus Altus (high bank). This stone arch was built in 1588, around 150 years after the collapse of the previous, wooden bridge. It supports two busy streets and a double series of shops.

This impressive white marble building was built between 1515 and 1560 to offer refuge to a charity dedicated to San Rocco. Not long after its completion, the great Venetian artist Tintoretto from the 16th century won the contest for painting a central panel for the ceiling of Sala dell'Albergo by entering the building and installing his painting in the designated location before the judging took place, to the great dissatisfaction of his rivals.