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Campanile – Before you go into St. Mark's Basilica,
take the elevator up the Bell Tower (Campanile) in the Piazza. From
the bell tower kids will get a bird's eye view of Venice, and the pigeons
in the square down below. It's a great way to get a feel for the shape of
the city, and from that vantage point, there are rooftops galore, but the
network of canals aren't visible. |
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St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) –
Venice has two patron saints, St.Teodoro and St. Mark. St.Teodoro was there
first, but in the 9th century, two Venetian merchants stole St. Mark's body
from Alexandria. St. Mark found a permanent resting place in the church
on this site. In the murky shadows of the basilica, look for yards of exquisite
mosaics adorned with gold and the Pala d'Oro altar panel of the
Archangel Michael, decorated with thousands of garnets, rubies, pearls and
sapphires. The floor of St. Mark's is also incredible, geometric patterns
and exuberant mosaics of fantastic creatures, rippling up and down, it almost
feels like you're on the water ... |
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 Climb
up onto the loggia of the church to see the four life-size bronze
horses, brought from Constantinople in the 13th century. These horses
really got around – in 1797 the French carried off the horses, but
returned them to Venice a few years later.
Entrance to the loggia also includes the museum (which houses
the original bronze horses, full-size replicas are situated outside on
the loggia). Don't miss the museum where kids can see mosaics up close,
thousands of shimmering gold and glass tesserae, views of the church from
high up (looking down over the crossing), and wooden models of the Basilica. |
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Treasury
– Older kids will enjoy a turn through the Treasury, exquisite
examples of gold booty from Byzantium – chalices, enamels icons
studded with precious stones, gilded Gothic candlesticks, and reliquaries
of all kinds containing bones and other Christian artifacts. |
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Tower of the Clock (Torre dell'Orologio) – Kitty corner
to the Basilica is the clock tower, marking time, phases of the moon, seasons
and signs of the zodiac for over 500 years. At the very top of the tower,
are two bronze figures, "the Moors." On the hour, the figure rotates
his arm and the bell chimes quite loudly. The clock tower is also ornamented
with an especially lovely lion of St. Mark, on a background of blue and
gold stars. |
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Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) – Squished
next to the Basilica is the pink and white Doge's Palace, once the center
of Venetian government. Most impressive is the Scala d'Oro, the grand
staircase with frescoes embellished with real gold. Kids may prefer the Armoury filled with antique weapons to all the Tintorettos, but when
you pass through the Sala del Senato, be sure to look up at the ceiling
for Veronese's splashy The Triumph of Venice, filled with prancing
horses and puffy clouds. You'll also pass over the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte
dei Sospiri) to the state jail. |
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Caffe Florian – If you're looking for a splurge
treat, stop into the oldest cafe in Italy, founded in 1720. You can sit
outside on the piazza, but for the full effect, sit inside, where you can
enjoy red velvet banquettes, gilded walls and painted ceilings. Tea would
be traditional, but desserts and hot chocolate are fun. |
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Look for the lions – St. Mark is the patron saint
of Venice, symbolized by the winged lion. You'll find wonderful examples
of the lion of St. Mark all around the Piazza San Marco – on the clock
tower, the entrance to the Doge's Palace, the bronze gate in front of the
campanile, on the Basilica, atop one granite column, two warm, cuddly pinkish
lion statues next to the Basilica, and more. |
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After you've had enough indoor stuff, head down the piazza
towards the water, passing by the two granite columns, one topped with the
winged lion, the other St. Teodoro. To the west is a small public garden,
the Giardini Ex Reali. It has benches, trees, and it's a good place to sit
down and enjoy a gelato. |
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Stroll down the Riva degli Schiavoni – A typical
Venetian thing to do is take a stroll, and it's a great walk from Piazza
San Marco east, down the wide promenade, the Riva degli Schiavoni. Bustling
and busy, it's also a great place to watch the boats go by – large
car ferries, vaporetti, water taxis, tugs, red and white fire boats, gondolas,
cruise ships, pleasure motor boats in all shapes and sizes. |
