SAINT MARCO’S SQUARE
Drawing-room of Europe! This is the definition for the most spectacular square in the world. No other man-made thing is comparable. The square’s beauty is indescribable at every time during the day, but in September’s clear nights it reaches its peak. Two approaches to the square are possible and they are equally suggestive: the first one from the sea, where the Basilica sneaks off to give only a presage of its magnificence leaving the stage to the harmony of the Doge’s palace, the ancient residence of the doges, who were the real kings of Venice; the other one by land, after crossing the colonnade of the Correr Museum, the most beautiful and magnificent church in the world shows us: the Basilica of Saint Marco. The atmosphere in the evenings becomes magical thanks to the beauty music by the famous “cafés” surrounding the square.
BASILICA OF SAINT MARCO
This architectural structure inglobes better than words or history-books the cultural blend that Venice still represents. No other city in the world offers so an harmonic synthesis between east and west. The Basilica offers the visitor a no-limits suggestion, especially due to the gorgeousness of its golden mosaics. You have to observe with attention the 4000 square meter mosaics, both on the inside and on the outside, but particularly the mosaics placed in the entrance are worth-seeing; these ones culminate in the superb representation of the Old Testament. The Treasure of Saint Marco and the Golden Altar-piece deserve a careful of details gaze. The icon of Madonna Nicopeia represents a strong contrast between the history of wars and fights and the pacific filial serenity. This black Madonna, carried at the head of the Byzantine armies, was stolen by Venetians in 1204.
DOGE’S PALACE
This was the seat of the power of Venice, that in its highest splendour controlled the whole Mediterranean as far as the Greek islands. The Palace is unique in the world, nothing can be compared to it. An imposing colonnade, composed by 36 big columns, supports a loggia formed by 72 smaller columns, the capitals of which are unlike each other. In addition to the spectacular view over the square and over the lagoon basin, the peculiarity of the loggia is on the two rosette-columns, the sole point from where is possible to admire the whole square, without the bell-tower or the Mark’s library as obstacles. You can enter the harmonic interior court through the gothic Paper Door ( photo 113K ), situated between the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace as symbol of the interdependence between religious and political powers. Through the symbolic Giant’s Stairs, that culminate with the statues of Mars and Neptune, Greek divinities very dear to the Sailor Republic, you can have access to the interior of the palace. Here you will feel all the power and the justice that in these places were administered. The power and justice authority finds its surprising top in the Council Hall. The fights and the history of Venice find here the greatest exaltation. Behind the doge’s throne it has been spreading since 1590 the magnificent Heaven by Tintoretto; but it covers an other medieval fresco that is more magnificent and particular, don’t bear us a grudge the Venetian master! You may admire traces of this superb fresco in the adjacent halls and in some paper illustrations. Don’t miss, in doge’s flat, the fresco by Titian Vecellio that represents San Christopher and stays hidden above a door which enters a small stair. A particular stage effect is given by the Bridge of Sighs, that led the condemned men across from the Doge’s Palace to the near Prisons’ Palace which is today possible to visit with a comprehensive view.
Schedule: from October to March from 9a.m. to 5p.m.; from April to September from 9a.m. to 7p.m. The ticket’s price is 12€ (a little expensive, but there is a lot to see and it is included also the visit to the Civic Museums).
CORRER MUSEUM AND VENETIAN CIVIC MUSEUMS
In front of the basilica there is the Napoleonic Wing, that with the New Procuratie is the seat of the Venetian Civic Museums. Great importance is due to the picture-gallery. Bellini, Antonello da Messina, Leonardo, Bosch are only few of the famous artists who lit up the halls of the Correr Museum with their works. Very interesting are the halls of the Venetian history and the characteristic museum of the Italian Risorgimento. The whole Correr is animated by Canova’s neoclassicism. On a single way is possible to visit the Archaeological Museum, that witnesses the roman splendour in the North Lagoon and in Altino area, and the Mark’s library, that houses temporary art-exhibitions and the magnificent stair.
See Doge’s Palace’s schedule and fares.
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