With hundreds of bridges spanning hundreds of canals, grand
squares and, most amazingly, almost no cars, Venice is truly like
nowhere else on earth. Built on over 100 small islands, the city is home to
living history in its ancient architecture as well as a huge collection of art.
Fine art
Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance are the principal re f e rence points for
the artistic development of Venice.
The Basilica of San Marco is a masterpiece of Romanesque-
Byzantine style, the centre of Venetian life throughout the centuries,
while the 16th-century Rialto Bridge is a splendid example of the
Renaissance style.
And, throughout the city the testimonies of great Venetian masters
are revealed in paintings from the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries.
Sightseeing
Stroll from the arched Rialto Bridge, a monument to the rivo alto (high
bank) where many Venetians first settled, to the Piazza San Marco, the
magnificent open square with its toy town 15th-century clock tower, the
long arcades of the procuratie (government buildings of the republic),
and vast open pavements. Here, enjoy a coffee or an apertivo at Florian,
Quadri, or any of the stylish cafés that spill out from under the arcades
and soak up the surrounding beauty.
It has often been noted that Venetians are enamoured of the surface
of things, so it’s hardly surprising that Venice can seem like a
preposterous stage set, a city almost too good to be true .
Climate:
