Did You Know?

Venice, Italy is built on more than 100 small islands and has over 400 bridges connecting them all together. The city has no roads, only canals and footpaths.

Did you know that Venice experiences an annual phenomenon called "Acqua Alta"? During certain times of the year, particularly in winter, high tides cause flooding in some parts of the city. Wooden walkways, known as "pontoon" bridges, are temporarily set up to allow pedestrians to navigate through the flooded areas.

Did you know that Venice is home to the world's oldest operating casino? The Casino di Venezia, located in the Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi, opened in 1638 and continues to welcome visitors to try their luck at various games of chance in a historic setting.

Did you know that Venice has over 400 footbridges? These bridges play a crucial role in connecting different parts of the city, spanning the canals and allowing pedestrians to move around. The most famous and iconic bridge in Venice is the Rialto Bridge, which dates back to the late 16th century.

Did you know that Venice is known as the "Floating City" or "City of Water"? This nickname is due to the absence of roads and cars within the historic center of Venice. Instead, transportation is primarily conducted by boats and water taxis, making it a truly distinctive and charming city to explore.

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Saint Marks Basilica: An Exquisite Byzantine Masterpiece

In about 1063, a group of Venetian statesmen and religious leaders decided to build a cathedral on the existing grounds of an even older church, the plan being to house and honour the remains of the saint, Mark the Evangelist; the original building became the crypt of the new, magnificent basilica. Erected over a number of years (the gold mosaic floor alone took centuries), by a range of local craftsmen, the cathedral is attached to the adjacent Doge’s Palace and was originally its chapel.

Saint Mark (San Marco in Italian) is the patron saint of Venice, and the cathedral is now home to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. Designed and built in the Italian-Byzantine style, St. Mark’s is nicknamed Chiesa d’Oro, Church of Gold, thanks to its extensive use of gold within its incredible details.

Thanks to rising waters in the mid-1500s, the crypt was closed off and raised to prevent future flooding, during which time the wooden box containing the remains of Saint Mark was moved from its underground sarcophagus and re-situated under the altar.

Visitors do not have to pay admission to Saint Mark’s in general, but specific parts of the building can only be entered by paying a fee; these funds go toward the endless restoration and upkeep of the basilica, one of the most famous churches in the world. If you go there, please remember that it remains a functioning place of worship and be respectfully quiet.