Walk through the Piazza San Marco. Learn about the history of the main monuments in this area including the Basilica San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie.
You will admire Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo (the “Pantheon” of Venice), the Great school of Charity before viewing Marco Polo’s House and the Malibran Theatre. Return to San Marco through the main shopping area, Mercerie. Move to the front of the queue and take a guided tour through the Doge’s Palace. The Palazzo Ducale represented for centuries the seat of Venetian political power. In its splendid rooms, surrounded by hundreds of painting masterpieces, the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of a thousand-year old republic. You’ll live it together with a Guide who will show you the halls of power, plunging you into a very special historical context: the European Middle Ages and the immediately following centuries. You’ll be surprised at the rich details of the gold staircase, at the realism of the scenes depicted by many artists who have decorated this building, you will relive the anguish of the prisoners crossing thefamous Bridge of Sighs, and entering the Venetian prisons, famous for hosting Giacomo Casanova.
Follow a tour guide through St. Mark's Basilica, one of the most majestic cathedrals in the world. Learn about byzantine art and its religious background while taking a glimpse at the gold mosaics and marble floors. Admire the Pala d'Oro, exquisite example of the byzantine art with its thousands of gems and precious stones; enjoy the view of the Treasury, a splendour of the religious art collected through the centuries. Entrance ticket also gives you access to the following palaces around St. Mark’s Square that you may visit by yourself: Royal Palace now Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. You will discover the way of life for the Venetians, with paintings, libraries, coinage, and sculpture. You will also have the opportunity to visit the area built by Napoleon and the rooms restored for Sissi, the Empress of Austria.
After the visit of the Doge’s Palace you will have the opportunity to visit a Glass Factory close to Saint Mark’s Square where you can see a Glass Craftsman at work. Please note this is a free of charge optional tour of approximately 20 minutes and it is not a part of the tour.