Historical Venice

Saint Mark’s Square represents the most powerful image of what Venice was like during the time of the Republic, and its splendours remain today. Once the only entrance to the city, accessible only by sea, in many ways the visitor still only arrives at the city after reaching here. And it is from here that Venice’s pride, elegance, riches and supremacy in both art and history radiate over the city. Saint Mark’s Square is a mosaic of diverse cultures, a union of natural elements and human activity which focuses all the emotion which only Venice can give.
It is only just that our tour of the historic city begins from here.
Saint Mark’s in fact was the home of political and religious power during the Venetian Republic.
Our first step takes us to the Doge’s Palace, private residence of the ruler of the Republic and seat of government and legal proceedings. The offices were situated on the first floor, the second floor contained four large meeting rooms for the representatives of the governing institutions as well as the Doge’s private quarters, while on the third floor was the grand assembly halls. We take a literal and imaginative journey into the lives of the nobles of that epoch, through the rooms where decisions were made which played a decisive part in world history.
The palace was originally built in the 9th century in the prevailing Byzantine style, but was destroyed by fire: it was in the 13th century that the edifice was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Our visit also provides curious information about the founding of the city, from the invasion of Attila, when the local population fled to the lagoon islands, until 1797, when the last Doge, Ludovico Manin, conceded power once and for all to Napoleon.
Your guide will take you around the awe-inspiring halls with their magnificent ceilings and famous paintings by Titian, Tiepolo, Tintoretto, Carpaccio and Veronese, which enrich the stunning pageant of colour.
Moving through the Magistrate’s Hall we cross the Bridge of Sighs, a covered walkway which connected the palace with the ancient dungeons which gained its name from the fact that from the bridge prisoners could see the sea for the last time.
The Basilica of Saint Mark’s, monument to art as well as religion, occupies the second half of our tour. Its Greek cross layout was constructed to house the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, smuggled from Alexandria.
The exterior shows traces of a diverse range of architectural styles, and on the main facade we can admire the famous horses, captured from Byzantium in 1204.

• Technical information

  • Meeting Point To be confirmed by the tour operator after a booking enquiry
  • Transportation Not needed.
  • The tour includes Guide service, operational assistance, entrance fees
  • Total duration Approx 2 hours - Walking sightseeing of the Doges Palace & Basilica - 110/120 minutes
  • The tour timing 09h00/11h00 or 11h00/13h00 or 14h30/16h30 - Other timings can be requested and confirmed in case of availability.
  • Access This tour is not recommended to those with walking difficulties.
  • Difficulty:
  • Toilet facilities Toilette inside Doges Palace
  • Partecipation min 1 - max on request
  • Price/person Cost per person  minimum 2    €  103,00
    Cost per person  minimum 4     €  60,00
    Cost per person  minimum 6    €  46,00