Churches, Venice

Favorite thing: We visited St Marcos Church while we were in Venice...it looked like there was lots of gold on the church...it is a very beautiful building...

The St Marcos Church was founded during the 9th century...but was changed a few times after that...the final version was finished in 1071.

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Fondest memory: There are so many Venetian Churches to explore - this one is the baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute in Dorsoduro and is a famous landmark of Venice. Admission to this one is free - many charge an entrance fee for but a 3 day pass for 6 churches of your choice is availbale. Its almost too big a church to get a decent photo - this first pic is taken as you pass under the Accademia bridge - love those colourful poles too! Have a good walk around it and see it from all the angles. Please see the other pics as this is such a beautiful church and has so much detail on it - I could stand for ages looking up at it, taking in all the detail - and right at the top you can see a figure on a ball.

This church is a Votive temple built following a decree by the Senate of the Republic during the plague of 1630. Its festival takes place each year now on the 21st November when visiting ventians come with lighted candles. A fourth bridge is even errected to make access to the church easier.

Favorite thing:
And don't forget to look up in this city as well! There are so many things to see in this city, but you would miss a lot if you don't take your time to look up once in a while as well. On top of towers, churches and houses you can see many beautiful detailed ornaments.

Favorite thing: At the Basillica di San Marcos, is done in style. You can see fluted columns, friezes, statues of people and griffins, a pope, cherubs and a whole passle of other things, just get up close and personal to see it all.

Oh almost forgot to mention, the entrance to Basillica di San Marcos is restricted by dress code, if you have shorts, sandals or short sleeved dress, you will not be allowed entrance...so come prepared.

Favorite thing: The Basillica di San Marcos, stands in San Marcos Square, and along with the tower there form two sides of the square. The ornate entrance is so over decorated it is almost gaudy. From the horses above to the painting on the ceiling, there are just too many details for you to take in. You need to let your eyes take a break and then look again to see the next thing.

Fondest memory: This church was part of my everyday panorama in Venice. We stayed on Giudecca Island, where you could look across and see the church of Santa Maria della Salute and farther up, the campanile of St. Mark's Square. But right across the canal was this church, built by Dominican friars and richly decorated, including a ceiling painting by Tiepolo and a painting of the Crucifixion by Tintoretto.

Favorite thing: You can’t miss this imposing structure at the mouth of the Grand Canal. Waterbus No. 1 takes you from S. Marco and stops in front of the majestic Salute Church. The name “Salute” means health and salvation, hence the name of the church that was built in thanks for delivering the city from the plague epidemic of 1630. The interior is as somber as this photo taken on a cloudy March day. Its grandest feature is the large domed chancel and the ornate high alter sculptures. The best paintings are in the sacristy to the left of the alter. There are also dramatic ceiling paintings of Cain and Abel, the Sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac, and David and Goliath.

Favorite thing: This floating apparition is actually a small island where you will find an church and monastery completed in 1580 and considered one of Andrea Palladio's greatest architectural achievements. There are two fine paintings there, "The Last Supper" and "The Gathering of the Manna". The monastery is now a cultural center dedicated to international exhibitions.
There is a great view from the campanile of the city and lagoon.