Day Two in Venice – Part II

This is the second part of the Summer Trip 2016 – Venice Day II pictures. We walked towards Piazza San Marco and went into the St Mark’s basilica and continues our walk towards the east of Venice.

Here is the map of todays walking. Way less as on day one but we did visit more churches.

Piazza San Marco or St Mark’s Square

The square is the social, religious and political centre of Venice. It is a must for every tourist and so we went to see it as well.

Piazza San Marco with the Campanile of St Mark's church on the right, Basilika in the middle and the Clocktower on the left

On my last visit to Venice I did not enter the Basilica since the line was way to long. But today we did. Heike had the pleasure to stand in line while I took pictures from the outside of the building as well as other buildings close to it.

The Clocktower or Torre dell’Orologio was completed in 1499. The archway leads into the Mercerie which is one of the main thoroughfare of Venice. It continues to the Rialto, the commercial and financial center of the city.

The bronze figures on top of the Clocktower strike the hours on the bell. One represents an old man and one a young man – they represent also the passing of time.
The winged lion of Venice with the open book below had originally a kneeling statue of the Doge Barbarigo to his right. But after Venice surrendered to Napoleon in 1797 he ordered to remove al the symbols of the old regime in the city. The statue of Doge Agostino Barbarigo was one of many symbols that got removed.

Basilica di San Marco

Know in Italy as Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco. Build on the west of Piazza San Marco. It is adjacent and connected to the Doge’s Palace. Before 1807 it was the chapel of the Doge after that it was the city’s cathedral.
Because of the design, gold ground mosaics and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power it is nicknamed Chiesa d’Oro since the 11th century.
Construction did start in 828 and the church got bigger and bigger for the next 700 years when it was finally completed.

Mosaic of the translation of the body of Saint Mark. This is how the Basilica must have looked in the middle of the 13th century.

The Last Judgement over the main portal at the western façade

The Recovery of St. Mark’s body in Alexandria in 828

The arrival of St. Mark’s body in Venice, above St. Clement’s Gate

Detail of the gable showing Venice's patron apostle St. Mark with angels. Underneath is a winged lion

The winged Lion

Detail of the gable showing Venice's patron apostle St. Mark with angels

We went into the Basilica but you are not allowed to take pictures so no inside pictures. But lots of opportunities to spend your money. And if you have some left they make sure that you pass a lot of stalls on your way out.

Back to the Square

Detail from the Doge’s Palace or Palazzo Ducale

The Porta della Carta

Detail of the Porta della Carta

St Theodore on the western column of the Piazzetta di San Marco

Looking over the canal from the end of the Piazza to the Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore

Looking over the canal to the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Moving on into the Afternoon – Chiesa di San Moisè

This church dates back to the 8th century and is dedicated to Moses. The name comes from Moisè Venier that funded the reconstruction in the 9th century.

Inside the Chiesa di San Moisè. In the centre you can see the main Altarpiece with a sculpture by Meyring and a painting by Morlaiter.

Bridge at the Campo di San Moisè. The law should be quite fit since they have to walk most of the time. And they know how to run a boat because if they do not walk the are patrolling in the boat.

Rush hour at the bridge from the Campo di San Moisè

Santa Mari del Giglio

Santa Maria del Giglio or Santa Maria Zobenigo after the Jubanico family who founded it in the 9th century. It was rebuilt by Giuseppe Sardi for Admiral Antonio Barbaro between 1678 and 1681.