Venice and its Lagoon

Venice and its Lagoon
The old historical centre of the city is situated on 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Its singular appearance and wealth of art treasures make it unique. It is criss-crossed by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges.

Records on Venice date back to the fifth and sixth centuries when refugees from the Venetian countryside took shelter in the Lagoon. The inhabitants transformed it into an important trading centre for shipping in the Mediterranean and towards the Orient.

The importance of Venice increased during the Crusades, when it extended its rule over the Aegean islands, Peleponesia, Crete and part of Constantinople. In the fifteenth century the little city-state had reached its maximum power.

In 1797, the Republic of Venice lost its independence (to Austria).

Year Decision Comments
1987 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit Summer 1987

It was my first holiday without my parents, and I went on a group tour to Slovenia. From there, we made a daytrip to Venice. I actually remember very little of this visit, besides that I ate a very rich minestrone-soup (why do I remember this stupid fact?).

Venice itself lived up to my expectations, but was also extremely touristy and expensive.

Reviews

stewart ayu (canada):
Visited Venice in 1985 and stayed in the international youth hostel a short canal ride from St. Marks Square. The city was somewhat commercialized, touristy, and expensive. I could only afford spaghetti! Magnificent architecture and a unique system of canals make this city a real gem. St Marks was really impressive. The small Gugenheim art gallery had a precious collection of paintings. The city lacked the local charm of other Italian cities.
Date posted: May 2009
():
I went to venice for a holiday with the family and i would have to say its one of the most beautiful places i've been to. I was there in August just before the gondola races and I just loved looking through all the shops just to find some beautiful Venitian masks. Since I was a little girl I have wanted one of the Venitain masks and to go to a Mascarian Ball. Then I came to one shop and found thses 3 beautifully hand made masks that were absuletely beautiful so I bought them and carried them all the way home. Venice is so romantic and beautiful. I loved it!!!!!
 
Isabel Salvatori (Mexico):
One of the most overwhelming scenes that I remember in my life is when you turn around the corner and arrive to St. Mark's Square in Venice. The sight of that amazing church, the thousands of doves, and yes, the bunch of tourists, simply took my breath away. Venice has a lot of other sights worth visiting, and the city itself, just walking around and getting lost in it (don't worry, eventually you get to St. Mark's Square again, even if you don't understand how). If you feel like running away from all the crowds, you can take a boat to the pintoresque island of Burano, where you will find lovely streets with colorful houses and a much more peaceful sorrounding than Venice. Venice is a very romantic city, but even if you go there without a couple, it is still very enjoyable
Date posted: July 2006
James Kovacs (USA):
Venice is a dream. We spent 2 days and 2 nights here in
May 1997. It was just so charming and captivating.
Venice gets even more romantic as night falls.
The buildings are all lit up with flood lights.
People are strolling about and having dinner.
It is all so magical. I wish I could live here year round.
Date posted: February 2006
Ben Pastore (USA):
My visit to Venice left me wondering if this was a city or movie set. It was all so surreal. The charming narrow pedestrian streets and ornate bridges made it seem more amusement park than metropolis. The gondola ride was expensive and would hardly have been worth it had I not been on my honeymoon (I think you could get arrested if you don't spring for the ride on your honeymoon, let alone the fallout with the wife). Regardless, this is a unique place that more than earns its designation as a heritage site.
Date posted: June 2005
Graeme Ramshaw (UK/US):
Venice is a city of extremes. One either loves it or hates it. Like Prague, it hosts millions of tourists each year to the extent that one doubts the existence of a true Venetian citizen. Yet, also like Prague, it boasts incredible beauty and extraordinary qualities that make it unique among the cities of the world. It is no surprise that people flock to Venice; there is quite simply no place like it. St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, and the Doge's Palace with its Bridge of Sighs constitute the main tourist sights, along with the Grand Canal and its Rialto Bridge, but for me, the real joy of Venice lies in its labryinth of tightly packed streets, many of which end in the deadend of a canal bank but still others of which lead to remarkable sights far off the tourist radar. The city can be overwhelming with its crowds and its waterways, but if you take the time to lose yourself among the people and campi of Venice, you will find a delightful local culture lurking just below the tourist facade.
 
Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
What more can be said about Venice that hasnīt been said before? One of the greatest cities of Europe, if not the world, and a place everybody should have seen. Sure, itīs usually very, very crowded, the streets are a complete maze, and when thereīs acqua alta (and thatīs frequently), you wouldnīt want to be there without boots. But hey, itīs Venice, and you can accept a few inconveniences to see St.Marksīs Square, the Basilica of St.Markīs, the Ducal Palace, a score of museums, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, the gondolas, the Academy,...well, you know what I mean. Just wandering the narrow alleys and not knowing exactly where you are going is half the joy of exploring Venice. And if you are fed up with the crowds, just take a boat to one of the islands in the lagoon that are usually very quiet places.
 
morgan (england):
its da best its like a dream hoilday i could not believe how warm the water was i had the best time of my life
 
sonia (australia):
venice is great! its so peaceful. i have never been in a city like venice before. it is da best.
u should go there. lovely place!!!
 
Al (Switzerland):
I was in venice in april 2004 and I just can say one word "fantastic"! in this city you really feel you walk throgh history. No cars, just boats and very nice old churches. the highlight is for me to enter to St. Marco's square.. cuz first you walk trough soem thight streets and suddenly you get into St. Marco square and the effect of the change from the small tight streets to the giant square is really unbelivable!

also the view from the tower in St. Marco's square is so beautiful, you see the city surrounding by see and you feel like really being in 14th century!!!! great place to visit
 
Mike Fungone (U.S.):
My first and only trip to Venice took place in 2002 with my second cousin from Trieste.It was a remarkable experience. I had not known that one must take a train over a causeway(land bridge)to get inside the city.The only other way is by boat.
Once inside the ancient city, one is greeted and overwhelmed by history, architecture, arts and crafts and a flowing continuity of shopping adventures. We took a gondola ride down the canals on a sleek ebony colored luxurious craft and saw the home of Marco Polo and the original Don Juan who, my guide said, "had a different woman every night."
I was impressed by the enormity of Venice for I had always envisioned a rather small quaint place, but one can not possible walk over 400 bridges in a few minutes!
The expansive piazzas were host to tourists from every place imaginable and I strained my neck to view a gigantic tower whose grand image must surely have inspired the smaller version in Epcot in Disney World.Indeed, Venice itself reminded me of a ancient "DIsney World' for everywhere were the sights and sounds of entertainment. Itinerant musicians, wonderful Italian food, quaint shops with glass wares, porcelin, and unusual gifts which were too tempting to pass by.
The day at Venice went by all too quickly and even though it was raining a little that day, it was one of the highlights of my trip to italy and I have expressed my admiration for that city time and again.
 
Gatis (Latvia):
To me this is the nicest city I have ever seen. First time I visited it on nighttime, during wintertime - I was walking on empty streets under moonlight four weary hours. It was strange to see the incredibly ornate inner rooms in houses, where light was on.
Next time I spent there four days. Managed to visit Burano island - it is something different, picturesque fishery village with leaning belltower and few tourists. Murano - pretty similar to Venice - but far less tourists, here you can spend much time speaking (or trying to communicate) with glassmasters or just look at their work.
I am dreaming about returning there some more times. For others - try to avoid the central streets - they always are crowded, prices are just stupid. Some quarters away - silent and much cheaper.
 
jasmin (australia):
it is a wonder ful country i was only ther e for a holiday but i always felt so relax it felt like i was in paradise :)
 


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