 Venice is the city impossible that shimmers in dazzling
lights and ebbs in its watery woes. Overwhelmed by overcrowding,
scarred by charlatans and made putrescent by overflowing sewers,
Venice is still the Queen of Adriatic-the city of palaces on
canals. He mainstream chokes but just off the beaten path lie
Baroque churches, Venetian floating palaces and Renaissance. The
city is your escape from the Automobile. Explore instead the
rocking water taxis floating to destinations and vaporettis
speeding past in lanes without signals. Admire too a city rushes to
hospitals on speedboats and disposes garbage in scows!
CANAL GRANDE (GRAND CANAL)
If Venice floats on water, this is the raison d'etre. Cruise down
the 3.2km long canal-the city's greatest waterway in the evening to
experience the city's numerous medieval palazzos, churches,
impressive republican buildings mingled with shimmering shadows of
delivery boats, vaporetti and gondolas. While many of the
waterfront palaces are merely condos, others have been turned into
Multi national Corporation offices, government and university
buildings and consulates. The ride will acquaint you with the
waves, on which the city floats, gliding you into the heart of the
Venetian's indomitable spirit.CA'D'ORO
Don't be taken in by the golden name -it only alludes to the
gilding that originally enwrapped the façade details. But the
superb Gothic structure still houses golden trove of artistic
treasures-bronzes, tapestries and paintings of the period when
Venice had taken over thee Renaissance leadership. Walk up to the
first floor covered with religious paintings including the
subliminally violent "Martyrdom of St Bartholomew". The second
floor almost exclusively belongs to Titian's frescoes- except one
by Giorgine. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city from
the balconies that sit atop the Grand Canal.ST MARK'S BASILICA
You can consider it only as a rip off of the Great Constantinople
cathedral. Or as a palace with the most restrictions- modesty in
attire is strictly enforced here. But then you will be missing the
point- the Basilica is the worlds' most magnificent place of
worship. Backed as it was by the newly enriched merchant classes,
it is a shameless story of plunder under the domes and arches. Be
dazzled by the by the church's utter ostentation, including the
Pala d'oro (golden altarpiece) a Gothic artifact bejeweled with
around 2,000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. The Tesoro
(Treasury) contains the booty from medieval lands -including one
from Jesus crown of thorns. The Triumphal Quadriga-the four
tethered, gilded bronze horses - is lodged here along with the Lion
of St \Mark .Walk up to the Loiggia dei Cavall for a view of the
piazzo that charmed the redoubtable Napoleon.GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA
Visit this for seeing some of the finest pieces of art. Paolo
Veneziano's Madonna with Two Donors and Carpaccio's
Crucifixion are absolute master pieces. Begin with the Scuola
Grande di Santa Maria della Carita - the most ancient Scuola Grandi
where Veneziano's Coronation of Mary and Carpaccio's masterpiece
stand out. Other masterpieces include Madonna with Child
between Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalene, Giorgione's
Tempest, and works by Titian. The landscapes by Canaletto and
Guardi equally delight.CHIESA SANTA MARIA DEI
MIRACOL
Welcome to the finest setting for saying " I DO" The pint sized
15th century church is a perfectly proportioned and glows "
jewel-like" with its shining exteriors reflected in the canal. Wait
to be whisked away by gondolas after the wedding.
If you still have time -and inclination -left , explore the
Renaissance marble relief inside as well as the Virgin Mary icon
that is said to protect the watery city from calamities.
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