Venice, is known to be as the "City of Canals," "The Floating City," and "Serenissima", is one of Italy's most gorgeous cities. Venice is a renowned tourist destination because of its meandering canals, spectacular architecture, and gorgeous bridges. Venice is a city that everyone may fall in love with. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A location with vibrant architecture, lovely canals, and a glistening lagoon. But where in the world can you cruise by boat to historic palazzos, cathedrals, and museums while winding through an unending network of lovely canals?

As a consequence, it comes as no surprise that Venice is one of Europe's most magnificent tourist destinations. It's full of spectacular vistas, art galleries, museums, and restaurants with a charm that no other city can match. While it has faced several consequences from a rapid rise in tourism in recent times, there are still chances to explore at your relaxing time by avoiding ultimate season and visiting during the calmer months of the year. Whenever it concerns Venice, you may have confidence in that you already know everything. Everyone has heard of the famous gondolas, the raucous carnival, and the majestic canal bridges. However, there are many mysteries hidden beneath the ground of this fascinating metropolis.

Facts about Venice, Italy

Here are some Venice facts you probably didn't know.

The bridges of Venice are well-known. In Venice, there are 417 bridges, 72 of which are private.

Houses in Venice are designated according to districts rather than sidewalks, making it difficult for even postmen to discover addresses. The general guideline is to seek a nearby monument, business, or landmark.

In Venice, there are around 350 gondolas and 400 gondoliers. Gondolas are typically 11 meters long and weigh roughly 600 kg.

In 1608, the Committee of Ten decreed that masks may only be worn during the carnival. The penalties ranged from two years in jail to public shaming and tying to the shame pillar.

Venice has a total of 177 canals. The Grand Canal, which is fashioned like an S, is the largest and divides the city in two.

The campanile, or bell tower, of San Marco, was erected in the 12th century and fell in 1902. The tower was reconstructed to look exactly like the former one. It is the seventh highest bell tower in Italy, standing at 98.6 meters.

Venice sinks at a rate of 1-2 millimeters every year.

In the previous 50 years, Venice's population has shrunk from 120,000 to 60,000. According to some analysts, Venice might be a ghost town by 2030, with only tourists arriving during the day.

In 1646, the world's first female graduate was born in Venice.

In 1638, Venice created the world's first open casino.

Canals and Bridges 

The gondola is the most well-known mode of transportation on Venice's canals. There are just a few hundred of these one-of-a-kind, keel less boats extant today, and they have already been surpassed by other watercraft. However, their exquisite, sleek design and dazzling black lacquer have made them a Venice icon. Many writers have praised Venice's romance via gondola, and so many tourists are still prepared to pay large amounts to be rowed along the canals at dusk to the chanting of a gondolier. However, it has been a long time since gondoliers can recite lines from Italian authors such as Ariosto or Tasso while steering their incredibly flexible craft over the hairpin curves of the lesser canals. 

A few gondolas still function as ferries over the Grand Canal, but the expense of upkeep makes their demise inevitable. The Grand Canal is divided into four sections by four bridges. The renowned Rialto Bridge, created by the aptly titled Antonio da Ponte, is located at its most dramatic twist (c. 1590). The remaining three bridges are more recent in construction. The Academia Bridge, a strong wooden slat with a transitory appearance, was erected in the 1930s to replace an Austrian-made bridge from the 19th century and has endured foot traffic by being strengthened with steel. In 1932, the Scalzi Bridge near the railway station was erected of marble. The Constitution Bridge, designed by the famous Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2008, is the newest of the Grand Canal's bridges.

Palaces 

The dwellings (case, or ca' in Venetian) that line the city's streets and canals range from the poorest streets to the grandest palaces (palazzi). Ordinary dwellings are usually three or four floors tall. They used to have outdoor stairs and were clustered around a community courtyard and well. Their natural quadrangular entrances and window lighting may be framed in rudimentary marble; otherwise, they are unadorned, their red brick or ochre-painted stucco exterior providing a welcoming warmth to the townscape. However, it is the palaces, not the average houses that front immediately into the bigger canals, especially the Grand Canal, with flamboyantly painted moorings poles marking their water entrances. Although architectural styles evolved throughout time, the construction of these merchants' buildings remained rather consistent. 

Cultural heritage 

The Basilica of San Marco

Sculpted lions, like the one atop the Molo's column, may be found around the area and on its monuments. They are important in Venetian political iconography because they represent the evangelist St. Mark, whose remains were thought to be placed in San Marco Basilica, which is attached to the Doges' Palace. This magnificent cathedral, which began in 829 and finalized about 1071, was historically the private chapel of the doges as well as a political structure. It has a Byzantine architectural style, with five vaulted domes placed in a Greek cross. The interior is illuminated by light reflected from the undulating marbled pavements, pillars and polished marble panels, and golden mosaics.

San Marco Piazza

The Piazza San Marco, a wide paved and arcaded area, is before the basilica's five arched doors. In the summer months, string groups vie with each other to draw clients to their open-air tables in the buildings, which today hold sophisticated businesses and fine cafés.