Viva Venezia

Venezia, or Venice as it is known in English, is one of the world’s most striking cities thanks to its unique location, stunning architecture and amazing history. It is unsurprising that some 50,000 tourists a day can visit the city to marvel in wonder at one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

The city is built across 117 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, which runs along the Adriatic Sea. The cities famous canals and waterways acts as its highways as the only mode of transport available are boats or on foot. Travelling from one destination to the other via boat is just one of the reasons that makes this such a special place. The city is built upon ancient wooden poles which were driven deep in the mud below. Amazingly these wooden poles still hold up the city to this day and are able to take the weight of the grand buildings and marble churches which adorn Venice.

One of the most popular attractions of the city is the world famous Venice Carnival which is known for its fancy dress and Venetian masks. Reliving the grander period of 18th century Venice the carnival lasts for a month with balls, music, shows and plays, allowing everyone enough time to show off their magnificent fancy dress.

St Mark’s Basilica and square is perhaps the most famous landmark in Venice. St Mark’s Basilica was built to house the remains of St Mark, the patron saint of Venice. The San Marco mosaics cover the enormous church. They are beautiful illuminated Gospels and cover over 8,000 square metres. The adjacent church museum house is a fascinating insight into the Basilica as well as its house artefacts such as the famous four horses, which were taken by Napoleon but thankfully returned after the fall of his empire. In St Mark’s Square in front of the Basilica you can dance the night away as musicians delight the crowds from nearby cafes.

Another famous landmark which can also be found on St Mark’s Square is the Doge’s Palace. For those travelling to Venice via the sea on a cruise the Doge’s Palace is the first land mark you will spot and as a result it has become a symbol of the city and of its might for centuries. The palace as well as being the home of the Doge (the Doge being the leader of the Venice Republic) was also the seat of the government and its laws courts for centuries. Today the building along with St Mark’s Basilica, Piazzetta and St Mark’s Campanile form one of the most famous back drops in the world.

Venice is one of those cities that just begs to be visited and once you do it’s likely it won’t be your last visit either.