The Heart of Venice
The Doge’s Palace, the Golden Basilica and St Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square, once the administrative center of the Venetian Republic, is an example of spectacular urban planning that offers a dramatic impact both for its monumental buildings, and for how they are reflected on the water of the lagoon basin.
The Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) has been for almost a millennium the core of political life in Venice. The palace was not only the residence of the doge elected, but also the venue for the various institutions of the Republic of Venice to govern the state.
Its large halls and stairs have been richly decorated by important craftsmen and Venetian artists whose paintings evoke the “myth of Venice” and illustrate its past glory and power.
The eastern side of the building is along a canal, facing the so called New Prisons built in the XVII century, connected to the palace by the famous Bridge of Sighs. Today considered one of Venice’s most famous monuments, the bridge owes its fame to its name which was celebrated by the poem of Lord Byron’s “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”, a work that linked the bridge to a melancholic and legendary romance.
The beautiful St. Mark’s Church, founded in 829 and rebuilt in the 11th century, was traditionally the ducal palace chapel, where official religious and political events were celebrated.
The architectural style is typically Byzantine, and has five domes and the Greek cross-plane. The interior reflects the golden light of the mosaics, and is enriched with marble mosaic floors and walls covered with polychrome marble panels.
DURATION: 2 hrs
TOUR PRICE:
Private tour for 1 to 8 people 150,00 euros (total)
Group rates on request
ENTRANCE FEES:
Doge’s Palace: Adults 20,00 € p.p. – concessions: 13,00 € p.p.
St. Mark’s Church: skip-the-line and Golden Screen 4,00 € p.p.
The price includes: the service of a qualified Venice tour guide
The tour price does not include: entrance fees, food or beverages.
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