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World > Italy > Venice
City Guide Venice
Overview
General Information
Venice (in Italian: Venezia) is located in the northern part of Italy and has a population of 271,250 people. The city stretches across one hundred and seventeen small islands and holds one hundred and fifty canals. Unlike some of the other most frequently visited cities in Europe, Venice is best explored on foot and getting lost around its many canals and bridges for a day is the best way to absorb its unique character. Venice is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Europe all year round. The stunning combination of land, water, long history, inspiring architecture and art make it one of the special cities in the world.
Weather
Venice becomes extremely hot in July and August. Outside the summer months the weather is not too excessive. The most pleasant time of year to visit is late March into May, with clear spring days. Venice suffers from frequent thunderstorms and rain showers and flooding may occur in November and December.
Language
The official language in Venice is Italian, but English is well understood at the touristy sights.
Religion
Most of the people in Italy are Roman Catholic. In Venice there are some Jewish, Muslim and Protestant minorities as well.
Currency
The Euro is the official currency of Italy. 1 Euro = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EUR: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2, 1EUR and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Tipping
Service charges are usually included on all bar or restaurant bills at a cost of 10 to 15 percent. It is expected to tip a small amount of money, usually to round up to the next euro. It is not common to tip taxi drivers in Italy, but in Vanice boat drivers have to carry heavy bags, so it is common to tip 5-10EUR per couple.
Taxes
The VAT can be reclaimed by visitors from outside the EU as long as the purchase exceeds 154,94 EUR (VAT included) and was purchased at one store on the same day. In order to do that, you have to ask in the store for an invoice containing the description of goods, the personal data of the non European resident as well as the particulars of his passport or of any such equivalent document. At the airport your purchased items need to be taken to the customs clearance. In order to get the VAT refund, the Invoice should be sent back to the seller within four months. Refund will be sent in the method of your choice. Should the seller not receive the invoice in time, he shall be hold responsible by the state for the payment of VAT initially deducted from the purchase, therefore, please do not forget this last act. The invoice doesn't need postage; all you need to do is drop it in a mailbox at the airport. Customs Information Line: +39 06 50246061
Telephone
To call Venice from abroad, first dial +39 for Italy and then 041 for Venice. There can be high charges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards (carta telefonica) for local and international calls, which can be bought from tobacconit's, post office, newsstands and some bars. Telephones that take coins have become very rare in Italy and Venice.
Internet
There is a number of Internet cafes around Venice, mainly at the area of the train station. Some good Internet cafes are Csanova Disco internet Point on Lista di Spanga, Net House Internet cafe on San Marco 2958 and Logic Internet Point on Dorsoduro 2799.
Emergency numbers
Emergency police help: 113 Fire department: 115 Medical emergencies: 118
Opening times
Banks are usually open Monday through Friday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm. In the afternoon, the opening hours change from bank to bank but they are usually open from 2.30 pm/3 pm to 4 pm/4.30 pm. Some banks are open non-stop from 8.30 am to 4 pm and/or on Saturday mornings. Post offices are open Monday through Friday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 8.30 am to 11.45 am. Many major museums are closed on Mondays, and on the days they are open, some close their doors by early afternoon. Most churches close at midday for a long lunch break and reopen at 3 or 4 p.m.
Public holidays
* January 1 New Year's Day * January 6 Epiphany * April Easter * April 25 Liberatin Day * May 1 Labor Day * June Anniversary of the Republic * June 29 Feast Day of St. Peter * August 15 Assumption * November 1 All Saints Day * December 8 Immaculate Conception * December 25 Christmas * December 26 St. Stephen's Day
Safety
Venice is one of the safest cities in Italy, however it is suggested to take care of personal belongings in crowded areas and on the public waterbuses as to pick pockets activity.
Sightseeing
Discovering Venice
The best way to explore Venice is to walk along its many small streets and allies. You will discover that Venice is like an open-air museum, where impressive monuments and historical squares seem to appear where ever you choose to go. Another way to discover the city is to take a vaporetto (water bus) ride from Piazzale Roma all along the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square. Tourist Information The main tourist office is Azienda di Promozione Turistica (APT), which is located at Giardini Ex Reali San Marco (Tel. +39 041 5225150), and is open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm. A few more tourist offices are located on St. Mark’s Square, at the train station and on the Lido, at Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta.
Basilica di San Marco (St. Mar
This is one of the most impressive monuments in Venice and in the entire world. The basilica was built in 1094 as a shrine for the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, whose body was smuggled from Alexandria in Egypt inside pickled pork boxes in order to avoid the Muslim guards. The Basilica is also known as The Golden Church as to the fact that its interior, ceiling and pavement are covered gilded Byzantine mosaics. A closer look of these special mosaics can be seen at the Galleria at the atrium at the main entrance. In 1902 part of the basilica collapsed with no obvious reason and the rehabilitation works continued ten years. A wonderful view of the city roofs and the lagoon can be seen from the basilica’s roof, which can be reached by a lift. Opening times: Man – Sat: 9.45 am – 5 pm, Sun: 2 pm – 5 pm.
Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Pal
The Palazzo Ducal was the seat of the government of Venice for many centuries. It used to be the home of the ruler of Venice (the Doge), as well as the place of Venice’s law courts and civil administration. A visit to this graceful building is a must for anyone who is interested in Venice’s history. The pink and white marble Palace has a unique style, which is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance. It was destroyed a few times by fires and was rebuilt in 1424 in its present form. The interior of the palace has a Renaissance style to it, mainly from the 16th century. The first floor held the Doge’s apartments and the upper floors were used for the government affairs. The most impressive room in the Palace is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio (the Hall of the Great Council) with its famous painting of the first 76 Doges. Opening times: November – March: Daily: 9 am – 5 pm, April – October: Daily: 9 am – 7 pm.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Sc
The school of San Rocco was founded in 1478 and is famous for a series of more than 50 dark and dramatic canvases painted by Jacopo Tintoretto, which decorate the school’s interior. After being elected to be the one who will decorate the school, it took Tintoretto more than 23 years to complete his mission. The canvases decorating the school are dedicated to episodes from the life of Virgin Mary and from the childhood of Christ. A guide to the paintings can be found on the wall a little before the museum entrance. Opening times: April – October: daily: 9 am – 5.30 pm, November – March: daily: 10 am – 5 pm.
Il Ghetto (the Jewish Ghetto)
The Venetian Jews were forced to live in the Ghetto from 1516, when the Republic of Venice declared that they all have to live in one area, until 1797, when Napoleon put an end to the segregation. Due to the fact that Venice is built on hundreds of islands, the Jewish Ghetto was surrounded by water and its two only access points were controlled by Christian guards. This pleasant neighbourhood is still home for Jewish community institutions, such as five synagogues, a rabbinical school and a kosher restaurant. Nowadays there are about 600 Jews living in Venice, but most of them are living outside the Ghetto. The Jewish Ghetto is one of the less touristy neighbourhoods in Venice and therefore it makes it very pleasant to walk around its beautiful streets.
Campanile
The famous bell tower of Venice rises up to the height of 97 meters (318 ft) and offers a breathtaking view of the city. This impressive building has been standing for nearly a thousand years, when in 1902 it collapsed with no reason. The new bell tower was rebuilt in 1912, exactly as the old bell tower, using most of the same building materials. Nowadays it is easy to reach the top of the tower by an elevator, and on a clear day one can enjoy the stunning view of the lagoon, the mainland and the Lido. Opening times: Apr – Jun: daily: 9.30 am – 5 pm, Jul – Sep: daily: 9 am – 9 pm.
Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge
Till the 16th century Venice didn’t have any stone bridges and the few wood bridges that were built across the Grand Canal continued to collapse. In the 16th century the city held a competition to design the Grand’s Canal first stone bridge. Some of the best architectures of Italy such as Michelangelo, Palladio and Sansovio participated in the competition, but the architect who won the contest was Antonio da Ponte. The Rialto Bridge is a graceful arch that supports two rows of fairly expensive shops and boutiques with a spectacular view of the Grand Canal and the many Gondolas and boats that sail through it.
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
This massive Gothic church is located right near the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and is also known as “I Frari”. This magnificent church was built around 1330 and is considered to be a memorial to the ancient glories of Venice. I Frari is mostly famous as a burial place of Titian, who used to be a Venetian painter, and of Antonio Canova, who is the most famous sculptor of the city. Above the main alter is Titian’s well – known masterpiece, the Assumption of the Virgin, and the best way to enjoy his masterpiece, is to walk from the centre of the church towards the alter. In the left nave is Titian’s second work of art, the Pesaro Family. Titian’s tomb is located in the south aisle and faces the marble pyramid that was created for Canova. Opening times: Mon – Sat: 9 am – 6 pm, Sun: 1 am – 6 pm.
Santa Maria della Salute
“La Salute”, as called by Venetians, was built as an act of gratitude to the Virgin Mary, after freeing Venice from a terrible plague that killed more than 60,000 people between 1630 and 1631. 26 years old Baldassare Longhena was chosen to design the new church. La Salute was completed in 1681, only one year before Longhena’s death. This impressive church is located at the junction between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco on the lagoon. The Baroque style church is constructed of Istrian stone and marmorino (brick covered with marble dust, and the wonderful ceiling paintings of David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac and Cain and Able were made by Titian. Opening times: Daily: 9 am – noon and 3 pm – 5.30 pm.
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
This lovely 15th century church is now open to visitors after being closed for ten years as to renovation work. Santa Maria dei Miracoli is located in a charming canal northeast of the Rialto Bridge. The church was built at the 1480s and was designed by architect Pietro Lombardo, who was a local artist. Later on, Lombardo became one of the founding fathers of the Venetian Renaissance. The interior of the small church is decorated with early Renaissance marble reliefs of the Virgin. Opening times: Mon – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm, Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm.
Chiesa di San Maggiore
This church is located on San Giorgio Maggiore Island, and was built between 1559 and 1610. The church is one of Andrea Palladio’s masterpieces, who was well – known for building impressive villas for the wealthy Venetian families. Inside the church you can admire two masterpieces by Tintoretto and wonderful wooden choir stalls. At the side of the church, in the old monastery structure, there is the Giorgio Cini Cultural Foundation. Opening times: Mon – Sat: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm, Sun: 2 pm – 6 pm.
Piazza San Marco
The main tourist magnet of Venice is the Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark’s Square. Napoleon referred to it as “the finest drawing room in Europe” and so it is with most spectacular works of architecture. The square, which has a trapeze shape, was laid out in the 11th century. It used to be divided in half by a canal, but in the 12th century the canal was filled up. Its trapeze shape makes it look even larger and deeper. No doubt that every tourist that arrives to Venice must enjoy the sights of this wonderful square. The best way to do that is to sit in one of the many cafes surrounding the square and watch the magnificent buildings.