Itinerary 6
From Parada Dogana to San Pietro di Castello
Passing through the rooms and corridors of the most famous palaces in the lagoon, relive the flourishing past of the Serenissima, and discover the splendid collections housed in the historic museums of St Mark's Square.
Once the fulcrum of the civil and political identity of the Serenissima Republic, the Doge's Palace is now one of the most important museums in Venice. The visit takes one through the numerous rooms in the palace, illustrating the story of the city. From March, it is possible to visit the exhibition dedicated to Anselm Kiefer entitled Questi scritti, quando verranno bruciati, daranno finalmente un po’ di luce.
Built in honour of the Evangelist whose remains it houses, St Mark's Basilica is a mixture of early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements, interpreted in Venetian style. The interior is resplendent with gold-ground mosaics that cover it almost entirely, covering a total area of over 4,200 square metres.
The Museum of San Marco collects in its rooms objects of various nature and origin belonging to the St Mark’s Basilica. Divided into three sections (Mosaics, Textiles and the Antique), inside you can admire the famous four bronze horses of the quadriga, the altarpiece by Paolo Veneziano, as well as silk and silver tapestries depicting episodes from the life of St Mark.
St Mark's bell tower is, with the basilica and the entire Piazza complex, one of the symbols of the city and of Italy. Erected in the ninth century as a lighthouse and watch tower, it has been remodelled several times on the same site, mainly as the result of natural causes. Today it is possible to visit it right to the top.
The Giardini Reali, covering an area of approximately 5,000 square metres adjacent to Piazza San Marco, appear formal, luxuriant, and at the same time full of unexpected and surprising corners. After a complex restoration, they are once again a place in which adults and children can stroll, a place for reading, contemplation and recreation.
The Correr Museum is called the 'museum of the city' because of the importance of the treasures illustrating Venetian history and life that it holds. Born from the collections bequeathed by the nobleman Teodoro Correr, it has been enriched over time thanks to continuous donations, and now houses works by illustrious masters - from Antonio Canova to Bellini.
The church of San Giorgio dei Greci was built in the early sixteenth century by the Greek community in Venice. The project also included the construction of a cemetery, some dwellings, a school and a college. The latter is still the seat of the Hellenic Institute for Studies and Research.
The Museo archeologico nazionale di Venezia (National Archaeological Museum) houses a varied collection of antiquities, from examples of Greek sculpture to portraits from the Roman era.
Founded in 1451 in the sestiere of Castello, the Scuola Dalmata houses a marvellous cycle of sixteenth-century paintings by Vittore Carpaccio. The pictures depict episodes from the lives of Sts. George, Tryphon of Campsada and Jerome, protectors of the Scuola.
The Museo Storico Navale (Naval History Museum), owned by the Italian Navy, is still the most important of its kind in Italy. The main building is spread over five levels, with a total of 42 exhibition rooms, and contains the maritime history of the Serenissima and of the navy of unified Italy.
A patriarchal seat until 1807, the basilica of San Pietro di Castello is located on the island of the same name, accompanied by its characteristic crooked bell tower. In addition to numerous works of art, the basilica also contains the urn with the remains of the first Patriarch of Venice, San Lorenzo Giustiniani.
Calle della Mandola - San Marco 3716/b - Venezia
P.IVA 03751930276 - info@veneziadeigondolieri.it
Piazza San Marco 1
+39 041 2715911 
palazzoducale.visitmuve.it