Venice：The Floating City Awash with Arts, Culture and History

Famed around the world for its waterways and canals which form the arteries connecting this historic picturesque city, Venice is a living museum studded with historic, remarkable architecture. The city is stretched across 118 small islands linked by over 400 bridges crossing the canals which sneak around the city. Venice is often voted as the most beautiful city in the world and it's easy to see why.

1. Canal Grande

Usually the first port of call to anyone visiting the city, the Canal Grande is the major artery that runs through Venice, connecting up with the numerous side canals that link up the city. Take the public waterbus or a private taxi down the canal to see the magnificent palaces and renaissance architecture that line the busy waterway.

2. Doge's Palace

Photo byViacheslav Lopatin/shutterstock.com

The former residence for the highest authority in the Republic of Venice, the Doge, this palace showcases the wealth and splendor for what was once one of the richest cities in the world. An architectural masterpiece, the building is covered in sculptures and decorations from famous artists across the history of Venice the most striking of which can be seen on the facade of the palace covered in beautiful Gothic arches,

3. Saint Mark's Basilica

Photo byKars Alfrink

Arguably the most recognizable of all the buildings in Venice, Saint Mark's Basilica is a strikingly visual cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. You could spend days inspecting all the artwork and mosaics adorned on this beautiful structure. The building is probably the best surviving example of Italo-Byzantine architecture and first started construction during the 11th century.

4. St Mark's Clock-tower

Photo byKiattisak Anoochitarom/shutterstock.com

This 14-century clock is located on the northern side of St. Mark's square in Venice, locals in charge of the tower strike the clock's bronze bell by hand every hour. The clock itself is strikingly beautiful, each hour lined with the creatures of the zodiac decorated in gold. Legends say that when the clock was made in 1499, it was so alluring that the doge blinded the clock-maker so that he couldn't create as beautiful a clock to rival it.

5. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Photo bycommons.wikimedia.org

It would be sacrilege to visit Venice and not bear witness to some of the splendid art created here throughout the centuries, the city being renowned for its artistic history. However one of the most popular museums of art is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and its exquisite assortment of modern art. Once the home of American heiress Peggy Guggenheim, the 18th-century palace building was opened to the public a year after her death in 1980. The exhibit includes works from famous painters such as Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp and Albert Gleizes.

6. Teatro La Fenice

Photo byBenh LIEU SONG

Known world-wide as one of the most famous buildings in the history of Italian theater, La Fenice rose to fame in the 19th century hosting performances for several of Italy's greatest composers. Translated as "The Phoenix", the name reflects how the opera company rose from the ashes after their theater burned down, which happened subsequently a further two times. Opera has a strong place in Venice's history and a visit to this grand building is highly recommended.

7. Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge, the oldest and arguably the most visually-stunning of the main canals four bridges. It's dominated the canal's scenery since the 16th century and watching gondolas pass by the quaint, picturesque crossing is a perfect way to pass the time in Venice. From the top point of the bridge you can also find enticing views of the buildings lining the canal.

8. Ca' Rezzonico

Photo byAlice Barigelli

A gorgeous white-marbled palace on the banks of the grand canal, Ca' Reezzonico now serves as a public museum dedicated to Venetian art from the 18th century. The interior of the former palace building is exceptionally stunning, graced with paintings and decorations lining the walls and ceilings inside. Be sure to check out the series of paintings by Pietro Longhi which show how life was like in Venice during the 18th century.

9. Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta detta I Gesuiti

Photo bymichael clarke

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta detta I Gesuiti or more commonly just I Gesuiti is a church on the north side of Venice. Although a fairly standard looking building compared with the rest of the city, the inside of this structure is where I Gesuiti really shines. Covered in glitzy over-the-top patterns, decadent architecture and breathtaking paintings, I Gesuiti can only be described as interior design on steroids. The rudimentary looking exterior of the building also helps stave of the tourists, as I Gesuiti can often be a great escape from the crowds of visitors around the city.

10. Fondaco Dei Tedeschi

Photo byJean-Pierre Dalbéra

Fondaco Dei Tedeschi was well-known as the headquarters for the German merchants living in Venice, one of the city's most powerful colony of merchants. Goods brought in from the Orient on their way to western Europe would often pass hands through here. Nowadays the building is used as a department store for luxury goods such as designer handbags and perfumes. After shopping head up to the rooftop terrace for stunning views over the Grand Canal and the nearby Rialto Bridge.

◎ Closing

Easily one of the world's most beautiful cities, Venice's magnificent grandeur is only rivaled by its fascinating history and wealth of arts. There's nowhere on Earth quite like this fairy-tail, floating city. Book a trip, hire a gondola and watch in awe as you float down quaint, alluring canals around this pearl of northern Italy.