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UNIT
ITI ES OF RT
4 SAINT MARK’S BASILICA
Greek-cross shaped,
with five large cupolas dating back to the year
1000 and erected in Byzantine forms, it was
probably planned by a Greek architect, though
it was built by Venetian and Lombard workers. The
façade is made of two parts, each with five large
arcades. The upper balustrade is enriched with
four bronze horses, actually copies of the original
statues, a wonderful Byzantine work of art and the
only ancient quadriga to have been preserved
up to now. Interior: the walls are covered with
more than 4,200 square metres of Byzantine and
Venetian mosaics dating back to the 12th-13th
century, and partly restored in the 16th-17th
century.
5 THE DOGE’S PALACE
A masterpiece of marble,
sculptures and priceless artefacts, it consists of
three large bodies, which have absorbed and
unified previous buildings. The side facing the
Basin of Saint Mark, the one of most ancient construction, was rebuilt from 1340
onwards; the side facing the square was developed, in its current shape, from
1424 onwards; the opposite, Renaissance side, with the residency of the Doge as
well as of many government officials, was rebuilt between 1483 and 1565.
Interior: the cloister on the ground floor, the loggias on the second floor, the
apartment of the Doge, and the marvellous Institutional Rooms decorated with
works by Titian, Veronese, Tiepolo and Tintoretto.
6 SAN GIORGIO CHURCH
One of the
best churches by Palladio. Interior: two
masterpieces by Tintoretto.
7 ZATTERE
Long “fondamenta” from
which you can enjoy a magnificent
view of the isle of San Giorgio and the
whole of the Giudecca. It derives its
name from the word “zattere” (barges)
which transported and unloaded here
the wood coming from the forest of
Cadore.
8 SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE
Masterpiece of Baroque architecture. A work by Longhena.
Interior: works by Titian and Tintoretto.
Begin your tour in the part of the city called Rialto, the first harbour in Venice. Rialto
is easily reached from the railway station.
The bridge in front of you is
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Before catching the bus that will take you back to Rialto, walk up to the Punta della
Dogana, to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Basin of Saint Mark.
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