Sparkling and grimed, disused and active, domed and campanili, much of the great attractions in Venice are its churches, scuole or guild houses and synagogues.
1. Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore – Founded in the early 10th century, this church was designed by the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. In this church, he imposed a classical façade by designing two interlocking facades with repeating triangles, rectanges, and columns – a logical rhytym that are carefully and harmoniously proportioned. The interior of the church are whitewashed surfaces showing Paladio’s fondness on stark and majestic, unadorned but harmonious space. Two epic paintings by Tintoretto, The Fall of Manna and Morti, Chapel of the Dead can be seen near the main altar.
2. Basilica di San Marco – Once a remarkable place of worship, the basilica embodies a unique blend of architectural and decorative styles, dominated by the Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. It’s greatest treasure is the magnificent altarpiece known as the Pala d’Oro, a Gothic masterpiece encrusted with close to 2,000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. For tours, you can call 041-522-52 05, admission is free.
3. Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli – One of the most attractive religious buildings in Europe, it looks like an elaborate box containing the most refined of chocolates. The architect of this chiesa is Pietro Lombardo, a local artist who bejeweled it with marble, bas-reliefs and statues. The timber ceiling is also eye-catching. In 1470’s a series of miracles were reported which led to pilgrims for the image of the Virgin Mary. The chiesa’s admission fee is 2.50 euros.
4. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari – Finished in 1443, the Frari is a tower of elegance in brick, eschews almost completely the twisting face like external decoration typical of French and German Gothic. The frari was built by Franciscans and has long been considered something of a memorial to the ancient glories of Venice. Giovanni Bellini’s Madonna and Child is displayed in the sacristy. For tours, you can call 041-522-2637, admission is 2.50 euros.
5. Cattedrale di San Pietro di Castello – This church is the Venice cathedral from 1451 – 1807 which sits in easy somnolence on the far-removed island of San Pietro. Legend says that the strange Trono di San Pietro was used by the Apostle Peter in Antioch and that the Holy Grail was hidden in it. However, the legend is unlikely because the seatback of the throne is actually made up of Muslim tombstone, postdating the Apostles’s death by quite a number of centuries.
6. Chiesa di San Martino – This church is named after St. Martin of Tours, Venice pride being the first christian saint to die of a natural death and not a martyr. The main attraction of Chiesa di San Martino is the ceiling fresco which depicts the Gloria di San Martino. For tours you can call 041-523-04 87, admission is free.
To avoid embarrassments and disappointments, dress appropriately when visiting churches and other sacred buildings.
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Cruise Ships: Preparing For Your Voyage
When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation is important; however, it is not the only preparation that should occur. Preparation shouldn’t wait until the week before your trip. Rather, it should begin as soon as you book your cruise ship reservation.
The type of cruise that you will be taking is vital to preparation. A large number of cruise ships travel on international waters. In addition to being on international waters, many dock at international ports. Before begin able to board your ship, you may have to show proper identification. With international cruises, this identification often includes a drivers licenses and a passport.
Why Air Travel Just May Be The Most Important Part Of Your Trip
Are you in the process of preparing for a trip that requires you to travel by air? If you are, you should know the impact that your air travel experience can have on your vacation. Unfortunately, this is something that many individuals do not think of until a complication arises.
For starters, traveling by airplane is important to the overall success of your trip, as it is how you will get to your destination. If you miss your flight, you may, literally, be out of luck. Depending on the situation at hand, you may be responsible for buying your own replacement tickets. For that reason, you will always want to arrive to the airport early. You will also want to make sure that you follow all airport rules and restrictions, especially at airport security checkpoints.
