There is no place quite like La Serenissima and the legendary city of Venice in the rest of the world. The "city of love" has fuelled the imagination of countless travellers throughout the centuries, with its Piazza San Marco, canals, gondolas and Doge's palace. Known as Venezia by the Italians, it is the only major city in the world without the presence of cars, offering an architectural ensemble of captivating beauty which is best discovered with patience and passion by exploring the many hidden streets and courtyards, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. See Venice and die... of pleasure!
Venice owes its power and beauty to its geographical location in North West Italy, at the heart of a lagoon which runs alongside the Adriatic Sea. It was amongst these almost inaccessible marshlands that the Venetians sought refuge, originally inhabitants of Rome who had fled from barbaric invasions. The city's independence began to take shape with the election of the first doge (duke), Paolucio Afanesto, and soon became a powerful city-state geared towards trade and the sea, holding precedence over the Mediterranean from the Greek islands to Dalmatia and heralded the most powerful port in the Mediterranean by the 14th century. Later conquered by Napoleon, the beautiful city subsequently became Austrian territory until joining Italy in 1866. A cultural hotspot and major tourist destination, the city and its lagoon have been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
The city of 118 islands, Venice is entirely constructed on wood pile foundations, firmly secured in the sandy gravel floor of the lagoon. The unique context is what makes the city so appealing - 177 canals snake through the city, with 400 bridges linking the city's buildings and districts. Its beautiful monuments, such as the Piazza San Marco, Doge's palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the main canal, are famous throughout the world, however Venice has plenty more up its sleeve to satisfy its most inquisitive visitors... Why not take the vaporetto and soak up the atmosphere of the various islands - Murano, famous for its glassworks, San Michele, the cemetery island and Torcello, with its medieval basilica. On foot, you can explore the evening market in the San Polo district or the traditional atmosphere of Castello, the Bienniale Gardens, the Pietro di Castello cathedral and the magnificent Campo Zanipolo. The wealth of Venetian architecture seems endless, leading some visitors to modify the popular saying: see Venice and... return!
- Time difference: aucun décalage horaire
- Currency: Euro
- Contacts and useful links:
Venice Airport
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