St. Mark’s Basilica

Here you’ll visit the top two sites in Venice. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. You’ll skip the long lines for instant access to hear all about how Venice became one of the greatest powers in medieval Europe.

We started in the basilica, where we unfortuneatly couldn’t take pictures. Inside you’ll see the Pala d’Oro altarpiece. Upstairs you get to see the famous bronze horses that had been moved inside for various reasons, mostly conservation today. They were stolen by Napoleon in 1797 but returned in 1815. Replicas stand outside in their place.

After leaving the horses we headed out to the balcony for a great view of the lagoon and as the timing was right, we witnessed the clock keepers ringing the bell above the square.

After returning inside we exited the basilica and now headed into the 43,000 square foot palace of the Doge. We started in the general rooms then made our way to the council chamber where the Doge’s held their meetings. You’ll see room after room of artwork and a clock that is seen from both side of the wall, but different on each side.

After the council chambers, we walked through the armory with racks of weapons and armor before heading across the bridge of sighs. As you look out, you understand why prisoners would sigh before being lead downstairs to the cold dank cells.

Being glad to leave the cold cells behind, we entered a very large hall and rested while our guide told us stories of the past.

The tour is very interesting and historical. Our guide told us all about Venice coming into power and about all the political back-stabbing that happened in the palace, including why one portrait has been covered.