On our last full day in Venice we started with a 4 hour walking tour. We met up near the Rialto Bridge, took the mandatory photo…
and then meandered our way across the city toward Piazza San Marco.
First stop was at one of the many cisterns that are around the city and used to be the water supply. The city was built in swamp land surrounded by brackish water, so no fresh water was available. By digging down to the clay pan and filling the hole with sand they made natural water filters and thus the cisterns.
The tour guide gave a great overview of Venetian history as we walked along and how they ultimately became wealthy in a very inhospitable location due to their trading – Merchants of Venice!
Next stop was the theatre, which happened to be the old palace of Marco Polo and his family.
From there we passed through a number of Campos/Piazzas, each with beautiful churches and architecture before finally reaching Piazza San Marco.
We lined up for the tour of the Basilica. This is where St Mark (Gospel of St Mark) is said to be buried. It is decorated inside and out with beautiful Marble and Mosaics. The mosaic is all glass, and much of it is lined with Gold leaf. Such is the scale and grandeur it took over 400 years to complete them.
Because we were on the tour we were inside quickly, but unfortunately you can’t take photos. It was breathtaking. Gold mosaics glittered across the dome ceilings, supported by huge marble columns and arches. So beautiful. We had the chance to go up stairs to the terrace and from outside we’re able to take photos across the square.
Also on the terrace were the famous 4 Horses – symbols of the Roman Empire, said to be dated back to 300 AD. The ones outside were replicas, with the real ones stored inside for preservation.
Once back downstairs we were taken to the Doge’s Palace. The Doge was the ultimate ruler of the Venetian republic. They were normally very old and didn’t have any real power as they were only a symbolic figurehead.
The Palace was outrageously opulent with every part decorated to show off the wealth of the Republic. Ceiling after ceiling was covered in gold leaf and masterpiece paintings.
I think they may have overdone it a little 😜. Walls were covered in murals, again by famous artists.
And even the stairways were lined with Gold.
Once we finished at the palace it was 1pm and the tour was over, so we headed off for lunch. We sat down in a nice restaurant – which turned out to be a rip off! We ordered beers – they didn’t ask us for size, but the next thing we know we have litres! – costing 13 euro each.
We questioned why so big and he said it was the only size. Then the Italian people next to us got some beers – they came out in midi glasses!!! We pointed this out and they were busted… they also try to scam you on the fish, it says 9 euro, but this is per 100gram, which it doesn’t say. Once they knew they were busted they adjusted the price, but it was a very unpleasant experience.
After lunch we finally did the obligatory Gondola ride.
A 45 min loop through the city. We passed under the bridge of sighs, which we had walked through earlier on the tour.
We even went passed our apartment!
We should have got him to drop us off because walking back we got lost once again – this time it only took 20min though – we were getting better!
We were all very tired so we settled in to watch the soccer. Well some of us did :-).
After a couple of drinks in the apartment we headed out for dinner. We found a place that had a great mushroom risotto and fish platter – very nice. We were all very tired so went to bed not long after, it had been another great day in Venice. Such a beautiful city.