Venice

Celebrated throughout the world for its singular beauty, Venice and its lagoon were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987. The most famous place in Venice is Piazza San Marco and the five-domed St. Mark's Basilica, near Palazzo Ducale. These two buildings are joined by the monumental Porta della Carta. The Campanile di San Marco realized in 1173, was reconstructed in front of the Palazzo Ducale after it collapsed in 1902. From the small loggia at the top of the bell tower it is possible to admire reliefs depicting the ventures and undertakings of the “Republic of the Golden Lion.”  Venice is also celebrated for its historic cafes, especially the Florian; its exhibits, galleries and museums, such as Ca' Rezzonico; the Gallerie dell’Accademia and, of course, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection; and its world-famous festivals, i.e. for cinema and the Biennale for art, music and dance. The Teatro della Fenice is the monumental home to the city’s operatic music, and hosts the International Festival of Contemporary Music.