Venice: Audio Guided Walking Tour (3:30 - 26 audio commentaries)

Here you are in front of the “mamma” of all the religious buildings in Venice. Historically in search of prestige, the city of the Doges aspired to the idea of being able to host a relic that would live up to its pretensions.

We agree, from one bridge to another in Venice, the differences are not really striking. Except maybe with this one! Spanning the Grand Canal, like three other of its companions, the Accademia Bridge owes its existence to the Austrians.

What would Venice be without its bridges? This is a question that more than one person has already asked themselves. The thing is that to find out, we would have to go back a hell of a long way in history. Venice, as we know it today, is very different from that of the past.

Now that you have arrived at the edge of the canal, turn your attention to the pier opposite and more precisely to the first 3-level building, to the left of the church tower. Built between 1748 and 1772 on behalf of a wealthy Venetian family, who will give it its name, the Grassi Palace has been a cultural address in Venice since 2005.

Formerly the home of Francesco Foscari, 65th Doge of Venice, the ancient palace on your right has always been linked to the world of education. In 1866, a Venetian Jew founded the city's Royal Higher School of Commerce there, whose final objective was to improve traders and prepare commercial science teachers for secondary institutes.

The second largest building in Venice, the Basilica dei Frari, as we see it today, took over 100 years to build. In addition to its 70-meter high 14th-century bell tower, the monument has a simple exterior facade, made of brick and some elements of white and pink stone.

In all, beautiful Venice has no less than six districts. And, without really knowing it, you are currently in one of the oldest, but above all the smallest of them: San Polo.

Full of color, and full of good smells, this is another typical Venetian stop that takes place right in front of you. In a sector where fabric trade, spice trade and other commodity trades were already concentrated, the Rialto Market has been part of Venice's identity since the 13th century.

A big star of tourist advertising in Venice, the Rialto Bridge is one of the most famous symbols of the city of the Doges. Except that before reaching this success, the monument went through a rather long and complicated history.

From a narrow alley to a curved bridge, it is common to cross squares in Venice. But be careful, in order not to risk offending the locals, you should know that there is only one real place in the city. Naturally, it is Saint Mark's Square.

Venice is one of those destinations where you like to stay more than once. We cannot say whether it is its romantic atmosphere or the peaceful waters of its lagoon that lulls us the most. But deep down, do you really know Venice?

It is positioned facing the canal that normally, you should see the silhouette of a tower that soars into the sky. Located on the island of the same name, the San Giorgio Campanile is the third largest in its category in the whole city.

Anyone who has ever been able to approach him will tell you that this Venetian figure is just as fascinating for its beauty, its history and all the legends that surround it. Built in the early 17th century, the Bridge of Sighs once served as a link between the Doge's Palace and the new prison on the other side.

If there is one palace that surpasses all the others in Venice, it is by far the one on your right. Because of its prestigious past and its sublime architecture, the Doge's Palace remains one of the city's strongest symbols.

Affectionately called the “Patron of the House” by the Venetians, the Saint-Marc Campanile is an ancient symbol of the city. Its very first construction, ordered in 888 by the 17th Doge of Venice, could never be completed following a collapse of the ground, while the tower was under construction.

Located on the left side of Saint Mark's Square, the Clock Tower is a real gem of art and mechanics. It was built in the 15th century, under the order of the Senate of the Republic of Venice, to mark the passage from the largest square in the city of the Doges to the small shopping streets, on the other side, called the Merceries.

The only “big” square in Venice, Saint Mark's Square is in a way the heart of the city. Its construction began in the 9th century and its final general physiognomy was not completed until 1177.

Lost in a labyrinth of cul-de-sac streets, the Contarini del Bovolo Palace is a small hidden treasure. Probably built in the 14th century, the building became famous when a branch of the Venetian Contarini family made it their residence.

Who has never heard from a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance that appearances should never be trusted. Incredible, but true, behind this discreet neoclassical facade lies one of the most beautiful lyrical stages in the world.

In the large family of bell towers that make up Venice, we present to you that of Santo Stefano and its 61 meters high. While its origins were evaluated in the 12th century, its current appearance is much more recent.

Similar to one of the most beautiful avenues in the world with its splendid churches and palaces, staggered like trees on the side of a road, the Grand Canal is often the first thing you discover in Venice.

Rather off the beaten path and tourist crowds, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important cultural addresses in Venice. In the 18th century, the site belonged to the powerful Venier dei Leoni family who, committed to building the most beautiful palace on the Grand Canal, did not finally see their wish come true.

In Venice, you don't have to be in Saint Mark's Square to be an iconic monument. Located in the Dorsoduro district, and almost at the southern end of the Grand Canal, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is a spatial and symbolic landmark for Venetians.

In addition to reaching the end of the Dorsoduro district, you have also arrived at the place that is called Punta della Dogana here. In the 15th century, boats had to dock there to be able to be checked by the customs office.

A charming and fairly unknown place, the Zattere were the place where boats used to dock to drop off their wooden cargoes. And yes, we must not forget that in that period everything was built from this natural material.

Located in the southwest part of the city, the Dorsoduro district, which is translated as “Hard back”, takes its name from the firmer solidity of the land that composes it. If art galleries and universities make it artistic and cultural, Dorsoduro is rather known for being the “chic” area of Venice.