PALAZZO DUCALE - DOGE'S PALACE
The Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) is the most emblematic symbol of the Venetian Republic during its majestic and voluptuous Empire as well as its cultural and artistic development. It was founded in the XI century and was initially a castle; during the XIV and XV century the modifications gave it the gothic architectural structure that is still present today.
CLOCK TOWER
The Clock tower is one of the most famous Venetian buildings. It’s a masterpiece of technique and architectural taste. Overtopping the entry of the old Merceria, the main shopping street of Venice, it symbolizes with its big astronomic clock the pass of time from age to age. Visitors can see the interesting network of pulleys, weights and counterweights as they silently rise and fall at regular intervals. A metal spiral staircase then takes one towards the complex workings of the clock proper; visitors get a close view of the mechanism and of the gears linking it with the south and north clock faces, overlooking St. Mark’s Square and the Mercerie respectively.
PROCURATIE
The Procuratie (Procuracies) are three monumental and connected buildings in St. Mark’s Square. They are divided into Procuratie Vecchie (Old Procuratie) and Procuratie Nuove (New Procuratie). The first buildings or Procuratie Vecchie are on the north side of the Square built around the XII century to house the offices and accommodations of the procurators of the Serenissima. Around the XVI century the Old Procuratie due to a fire, was rebuilt by Codussi.
TEATRO LA FENICE
Teatro la Fenice was built between 1790 and 1792. It owned its name from the company's survival. The theater was inaugurated in may 1792 with an opera by Giovanni Paisiello. During the XIX century la Fenice became famous all around Europe. In 1836 the theater was destroyed by fire, but it was quickly rebuilt by Tommaso and Gianbattista Meduna. In that period Giuseppe Verdi, the greatest Italian composer, performed more than once in la Fenice; he presented Attila, La Traviata, Simon Boccanegra. During the 1st World War, the theater was closed; it reopened some years later becoming again a referring point for the greatest singers and composers. In January 1996, la Fenice was again destroyed by a fire.
ARSENALE
The Arsenale (Arsenal) is a shipyard in the area of Sestiere di Castello. It’s a symbol of the glorious period of the Serenissima, when Venice was very strong; in fact thanks to the ships here constructed, Venice more than once managed to defeat the Turkish fleet. The Arsenal represents the most remarkable example of preindustrial architecture. Its erection was began in 1104, wanted by the Doge Ordelaro Faliero, and continued during the XIV, XV and XVI centuries.
PALAZZO FONDAZIONE QUERINI STAMPALIA
The Querini Stampalia Foundation arises in 1869, wanted by the count Giovanni, the last descendant of a Venetian noble family. For the family, the urban palace was a way to show everyone their own power.
It’s the only present example together with Palazzo Mocenigo in which properties, books, archivies of the family are intact collected. The Foundation is open to the public for academic research. The palace was built in the XVI century and it’s located between the district of Rialto and San Marco. The palace has the civic old city centre library and a historical museum preserving typical Venetian furniture of the past. The ground floor and the garden have been restored by Carlo Scarpa in the early 60’s.
FONDACO DEI TURCHI
This palace on the Grand Canal is today the site of Natural Science Museum. It was built under the commission of Giacomo Palmieri, the major figure of the Pesaro, in the VIII century. Around the end of the XIV century the Pesaro became property of the Serenissima; according to the historic sources, the Fondaco was a large patrician residence, provided with a stairs both on the facade and in the back. The palace was inside embellished with decorations and beautiful furniture such as marble fountains, columns, and staircases.
PALAZZO MOCENIGO
Palazzo Mocenigo (Mocenigo Palace) was the urban residence of the patrician family Mocenigo (XVIII century). His last representant Alvise Niccolò Mocenigo gave the Palace into the hands of the Municipality. He wanted all his archives, furniture to become an art exhibition.
