Introducing 22 sightseeing spots in Venice, the city of water!

Venice, known as the "Queen of the Mediterranean," thrived as a maritime kingdom during the Middle Ages, and its allure as the "City of Water" remains timeless. The enchanting landscape, woven from canals and labyrinth-like alleys, offers visitors an unparalleled experience. Here, historical masterpieces coexist with contemporary art, and tradition harmonizes beautifully with innovation. Unique crafts, such as Venetian glass and masks, captivate tourists from around the world.

Moreover, Venice offers a variety of seafood dishes that are sure to delight visitors. In this article, we present 22 recommended attractions that will help you make the most of your time in Venice.

1. St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square is the center and entrance of Venice. St. Mark is derived from Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of Venice. It is said that when Napoleon invaded Venice in the 18th century, he saw the square with its geometrically patterned paving stones and praised it as "the most beautiful square in the world".

The front of the Basilica of St. Mark is a trapezoid surrounded by colonnades, and this trapezoidal square is continued by St. Mark's Square facing the sea, making the whole square L-shaped.

This is also the birthplace of cafe culture in Western Europe. Therefore, the bars and restaurants surrounding the square usually have open seats and live music performances. Why not enjoy tea time in this wonderful place while thinking about timeless times?

2. St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica, with its dome-shaped roof, exudes the influence of Eastern culture. It is said that the basilica was built in imitation of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

The winged lion shining in the center of the building is the symbol of Saint Mark, the patron saint of Venice, and is also featured in the design of the Venice Film Festival. The interior of the basilica is also decorated with gorgeous ornaments, and the most famous of these is the altar screen, which is said to have been made between the 12th and 14th centuries.

It is also where the body of St. Mark, which was brought from Egypt by two merchants in the 9th century, is kept, and it is a place visited by many devout Christians.

3. Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous and historic bridges in Venice. It is the oldest of the four bridges over the Grand Canal and is a tourist spot that symbolizes Venice.

The area around this bridge is relatively high above sea level and rarely suffers from flooding, so it is said to have been one of the first settlements to form around it in Venice and become a commercial center. Although it is now a stone bridge, it was originally a wooden drawbridge and was bustling with banks and commodity exchanges. For this reason, it is also called the "Bridge of Wealth".

However, it suffered a series of disasters, such as collapsing under the weight of spectators during parades and catching fire, so in 1557 the Republic of Venice solicited design proposals from the public, and the bridge took its current form. Michelangelo also participated in the public competition at the time, but it is said that Antonio da Ponte's proposal was the one that was adopted.

The Rialto Bridge is located almost in the center of the city, and is located halfway between the national railway station and St. Mark's Square, so the area around the bridge is now a large shopping district. Also, it's a great spot for photos, so don't forget to take some!

4. Church of Santa Maria della Salute

Santa Maria della Salute was built in 1603 to give thanks to St. Mary when the plague subsided. Salute means "health" in Italian, and you can sense the prayers and wishes of the people of that time from the word.

It features a beautiful Baroque structure and a large dome. The exterior is an octagonal main hall surrounded by six chapels. It was designed by Baroque master Valdassarre Longhena and is said to be the greatest masterpiece of Venetian Baroque architecture. In addition, the sacristy behind the main altar features a ceiling painting by Titian that is well worth seeing.

5. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the bridges in Venice built in the 16th century. Made of white marble, it is covered and has stone latticed windows. The Bridge of Sighs was once a bridge leading to a prison, and it was named after the prisoners who would sigh on their way to the prison, reluctantly saying goodbye to this world.

There is also a romantic legend about this bridge. It is said that if lovers ride in a gondola and kiss under the bridge at sunset, they will be promised eternal love. The movie "A Little Romance" is about a young couple who believe in the legend of the Bridge of Sighs and struggle to make it come true.

It is said that when this movie was released, many lovers visited Venice to make this legend come true. You should also visit the Bridge of Sighs with your loved one.

6. Murano Island

Why not escape the hustle and bustle of central Venice and head to Murano Island? Murano Island, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by water bus called Vaporetto, is famous for the well-known Venetian glass.

In the late 13th century, the government of the Republic of Venice focused on trade, mainly on glass products. In order to prevent the outflow of glass-making techniques, the government decided to move glass artisans to Murano Island. Since then, the island has flourished as an island of Venetian glass.

In the 15th century, the technique of crystal glass was introduced, and its beauty was highly praised by European aristocrats. The manufacturing technique is still passed down today. There is a glass museum on the island, which is a great place to learn about the history of Venetian glass.

Murano has a variety of Venetian glass specialty stores, both large and small, and is crowded with many tourists. Large stores are nice, but privately run stores are unique and you can buy original accessories and small items at reasonable prices. Why not try finding your very own Venetian glass as a souvenir from your trip?

7. Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo is a Gothic-style church built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The decoration of the church is simple, but the ceiling is very high, and you will be overwhelmed by its grandeur once you step inside.

Inside, there are the tombs and monuments of past governors, stained glass made in Murano in the 16th century, Bellini's altarpiece, and paintings such as "The Annunciation" and "Assumption" by Veronese, making it one of the must-see tourist spots in Venice. In addition, in the square in front of the church, there is "Colleoni Cavalry" by Verrocchio, which was created during the Renaissance period and is also a work not to be missed.

8. Ca' Pesaro International Museum of Modern Art

Built in the 17th century by the leading Baroque architect Baldassarre Longhena, Ca' Pesaro was the palace of Magistrate Leonardo Pesaro.

The second and third floors are the Museum of Contemporary Art, which mainly exhibits works exhibited at the Venice Biennale. The fourth floor is the Museum of Oriental Art, which displays ivory carvings, pottery, paintings, costumes, and more brought from Asian countries. It might be a good idea to experience the wonderful works of our predecessors while being surrounded by the oriental atmosphere in this part of Italy.

9. Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Santa Maria dei Miracoli was built between 1481 and 1489 by Pietro Lombardo, a sculptor and architect who worked in Venice. It is said to have been built in honor of the miracles of the Virgin Mary, and during construction, a convent for nuns dedicated to Chiara of Assisi was added to the east side of the church.

Inside the church, the nave is surrounded by a cylindrical votive structure, and the spaces between the podiums on both sides are decorated with marble and sculptures. The color of the marble in particular is exquisite, and it has been praised as being "like a jewel box." The contrast of the pale pink base, interwoven with gray, white, and a slightly subdued blue, seems to speak of the wonderful color sense of the Italians.

10. Grand Canal

Venice's Grand Canal runs in an S-shape from northwest to southeast, dividing the city of Venice in two. This canal, which creates the city's iconic scenery, is about 3,800 meters long. Beautiful cityscapes continue along the canal, and four bridges span it.

There are four bridges, including the Rialto Bridge, which is popular among tourists, followed by the Scalzi Bridge, the Accademia Bridge, and the Piazzale Roma Footbridge. In addition, palaces such as Ca'd'Oro, Ca'Pesa, and Ca'Rezzonico line the canal, and their reflections on the water create an indescribable beauty.

11. Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace, adjacent to St. Mark's Square, was built in the 8th century as the governor's residence and government office of the Republic, and was later renovated to its current form in the 15th century after a fire. The exterior, with its series of Gothic arches, is decorated with intricate ornaments influenced by Islamic architecture, giving it an exotic feel.

The entrance is behind the Treasure Museum on the right side of St. Mark's Basilica, and the interior is decorated with many works by Venetian painters from the late 16th century. The most famous of these is "Heaven" by Tintoretto. At about 7 x 22 meters, it is said to be the largest oil painting in the world.

You can also visit the prison from the Doge's Palace via the Bridge of Sighs. Why not take a moment to reflect on the memories of the people who sighed so many times long ago in this place?

12. Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

As its name suggests, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is built on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. It was originally built as a Benedictine church, but construction of a new church began under Palladio in 1565, and it took on its current form in 1610.

The walls of the sanctuary are decorated with "The Last Supper" and "The Collection of the Manna" by Tintoretto. There is an elevator at the end of the aisle on the left side of the sanctuary, and you can also go up to the bell tower. From the bell tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of not only the main island, but also Giudecca Island and Lido Island.

To get to San Giorgio Maggiore Island, cross two bridges from St. Mark's Square and board the Vavoletto at the stop at the very end of Schiavoni Beach.

13. La Fenice Theatre

The elegant Teatro La Fenice is one of Italy's leading opera houses, having opened in 1792. Verdi's Rigoletto and La Traviata, as well as works by Rossini and Stravinsky, were all premiered here.

Fenice comes from the Arabic word for phoenix. As its name suggests, the Teatro La Fenice has risen like a phoenix after being completely destroyed by fire twice. A golden phoenix is displayed at the entrance as its symbol.

Original goods such as cloth bags and postcards printed with the theater's building are recommended as wonderful mementos of your trip.

14. Santo Stefano Church

Santo Stefano Church is a Gothic church with magnificent marble decorations that was rebuilt in the 14th century. The brick exterior walls are decorated with marble sculptures by Bartolomeo Bon, and the interior ceiling was built of wood by a shipwright using a ship's hull structure.

In the sacristy of this church, you can see works from Tintoretto's later years, such as "The Last Supper" and "Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples." Both of these paintings depict people in motion, capturing the hearts of visitors.

15. Congregation of San Rocco

The "San Rocco Collegiate Church" was built as a church for a historic congregation in Venice. Construction began in the early 16th century by Bartolomeo Bon, and was later taken over by Coducci and completed in the mid-16th century. There are as many as 67 paintings by Tintoretto, one of the congregation's congregations.

Among them, the "Crucifixion of Christ" in the reception room and the "Adoration of the Shepherds" in the great hall are famous, and you can enjoy the charm of the paintings.

Also, when you visit here, it is a good idea to use the mirrors lined up near the entrance. This is because by using the mirrors, you can prevent your neck from hurting when looking at the many ceiling paintings. This is also a clever idea unique to this place that many tourists visit.

16. Accademia Bridge

The Ponte dell'Accademia, which spans the Grand Canal, is a wooden bridge that connects the San Marco and Dorsoduro districts. It was originally an iron bridge, but due to deterioration, it was replaced with the current wooden bridge. In contrast to the Rialto Bridge, which is crowded with tourists, it has a rustic atmosphere.

At the foot of the Ponte dell'Accademia is the Academy Gallery, and the Ponte dell'Accademia Bridge connects San Stefano Square and the Academy Gallery.

17. Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery, located on the south side across the Accademia Bridge, is a museum where you can learn about the history and art of Venice. Currently, the museum's collection is centered on Venetian paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries.

You can see masterpieces by Giovanni Berry, who represents the first generation of the Venetian school, and the three greatest Venetian painters, Titian, Tintoretto, and Baolo Veronese.

It is the most representative art museum in Venice, so much so that when it comes to art museums in Venice, the "Accademia Gallery" is often mentioned. This is a must-visit not only for those who are interested in Italian paintings but also for those who want to experience true art.

18. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

There are museums operated by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation all over the world, and the Guggenheim Museum (Peggy Guggenheim Collection) in Venice is one of them. The museum's collection is mainly based on Peggy Guggenheim's collection.

Peggy Guggenheim was the niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim and lived in a mansion facing the Grand Canal built by the Venière family in the 18th century. This is where the museum is currently located, but the mansion remains unfinished and has remained in its unusual shape to this day.

Inside the museum, there are permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, a garden, and a cafe. The permanent exhibition area displays paintings and sculptures based on Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection. The Guggenheim Museum's charm also lies in its special exhibitions. The special exhibitions are mainly contemporary art, but the diversity is very stimulating.

19. Church of San Polo

San Polo Church, founded in the 9th century, is a Catholic church dedicated to the Apostle Paul. It was originally built in Byzantine style but was renovated in late Gothic style in the 15th century and in neoclassical style in 1804.

The area around the church is small but lively with shops, but once you step inside the church, you will be overwhelmed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere. The wooden ceiling is a ship's bottom structure built by a shipwright, just like San Stefano Church.

The Chapel of the Cross on the left side of the entrance is decorated with Giandomenico Tiepolo's series "Stations of the Cross". This is a series of 14 oil paintings depicting the journey of Christ to his execution on the hill of Golgotha, and was created when Giandomenico Tiepolo was 20 years old. This work made him a painter who was recognized worldwide. Giandomenico Tiepolo's works and unique worldview are wonderful. Please visit and see for yourself.

20. Palazzo Ca' Rezzonico (18th century Venetian Museum)

The Rezzonico family, whose father was Carlo Rezzonico, was chosen as Pope Clement XIII. The Rezzonico family purchased this palace, which had been completed in the mid-17th century. The facade is decorated by Baldassare Longhena, and the ceiling is painted by Tiepolo at the time of the marriage of Ludovico Rezzonico, other wonderful decorations are scattered throughout the building.

Carlo Rezzonico's rule ended in less than 50 years, and the once glorious Rezzonico family went into a steady decline. The precious furnishings were divided up by his successors, and the palace was once hidden from view, but it was purchased by an English poet in the late 18th century and brought back to light.

Today, it is a tourist attraction where you can view a collection of precious furnishings and paintings from 18th-century Venice as the "18th Century Venetian Art Museum."

21. Correr Museum

The Correr Museum in St. Mark's Square was originally the residence of the Venetian aristocrat Correr family. The beautiful exterior, built in the 18th-century architectural style, is also a highlight, and the U-shaped Gothic style is a vestige of that time.

Currently, the second and third floors of the building are open to the public as a museum, filled with numerous exhibits, including historical maps from the 15th and 16th centuries and Venetian paintings. Of particular note among the exhibits are the sketches by Canova's Dedero and Icarus in the throne room and the portraits in each of the nine rooms. Also of note are the sculptures of the Duodo and Commander Sebastiano Venier.

The building was once home to the Queen of Austria, and items related to the royal family are displayed in each room. It is very large, so we recommend taking your time to appreciate the exhibits.

22. Venetian Nautical Museum

The Republic of Venice once boasted the world's best shipbuilding technology, which allowed the Republic to survive for such a long time. One of the reasons Venice was called the "Queen of the Adriatic" was because of its advanced ship and shipbuilding technology. This

Maritime History Museum is where you can learn about the history of ships, which was the source of the Republic of Venice's national power. With numerous ship models, shipyard models, and battle formation diagrams of ships from the Venetian Republic era, anyone can enjoy learning about the history of ships, not just those who love vehicles and ships.

There are also real shipyards scattered around the museum, including one that makes gondolas. It might be a good idea to take a quick look at them while you're out for a walk.

◎ Summary of recommended sightseeing spots in Venice

We have introduced the recommended sightseeing spots in Venice. We hope you have fully experienced the charm of Venice, but there are many other sightseeing spots besides those introduced here, so you may be wondering where to go.

However, you can encounter many things just by wandering around the city, that is the charm of Venice. There are no cars or buses, just beautiful canals, and clean air. Even people who don't usually walk much can find themselves walking a lot without realizing it.

If you get tired of walking, it's good to relax at a cafe. You might also enjoy some delicious seafood. Enjoy your own sightseeing in Venice.

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Introducing 22 sightseeing spots in Venice, the city of water!