The Museo Correr occupies the long, neoclassical building wrapping around the western edge of Saint Mark's Square. Teodoro Correr spent his life in the early nineteenth century gathering paintings, coins, and naval maps from his fellow…
San Marco Landmark Walk
We will walk through the political and religious epicenter of the historic Venetian Republic, taking in its grand square, golden basilica, and scenic lagoon waterfront. This short loop captures the imperial wealth, maritime power, and architectural wonders of Venice's golden era.
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1. Correr Museum
2. Piazza San Marco
The square is a vast, marble-paved rectangle defined by the low, arched arcades of the Procuratie buildings and the Byzantine facade of the Basilica. Napoleon once called this the drawing room of Europe. Long before tourists arrived, the…
3. Torre dell'Orologio
The Torre dell'Orologio stands tall over the northern entry to Saint Mark’s Square, marked by a massive, deep blue clock face embellished with gold zodiac signs. This tower served as a display of Venetian power, positioned precisely so the…
4. Saint Mark's Basilica
Gold mosaics cover the upper facade of Saint Mark's Basilica, shimmering against the sky and setting the structure apart from the surrounding limestone buildings. This church holds the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, smuggled out of…
5. St Mark's Campanile
The red brick bell tower of Saint Mark’s Campanile rises three hundred twenty-three feet above the piazza, topped by a golden weather vane shaped like the archangel Gabriel. It began as a ninth century watchtower for the lagoon and evolved…
6. Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace features a distinctive facade of white and pink marble arranged in a diamond pattern, suspended above a ground floor of heavy, open stone arches. This building functioned as the seat of Venetian government and the…
7. Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed limestone corridor hanging over the Rio di Palazzo, connecting the Doge's Palace to the historic prison. Its distinct white exterior is covered in intricate carvings of faces, yet its name comes from the…
8. Riva degli Schiavoni
The Riva degli Schiavoni is a long, paved promenade that stretches along the waterfront of the Saint Mark Basin. It takes its name from the sailors and merchants who arrived here from Dalmatia, then known as Slavonia, to offload their…