One of the most instantly recognisable and bucket-listed cities in the world, you’ll have plenty of things to do and places to see in Venice. Tourists want to take a trip around the canals, uncover the history, and, perhaps more than anything else, enjoy excellent food. Of course, you could experience upmarket Italian dining in the heart of the West End, courtesy of Gino D’Acampo, but nothing beats the authentic experience in one of the nation’s great cities.
As is often the case in the great Italian cities, Venice is overflowing with beautiful buildings and iconic architecture. So many of its grand designs from centuries upon centuries ago have been maintained or restored and remain open to the public today. Some house art collections, others have been key pieces of the nation’s history, but all of them offer an experience that isn’t to be missed. Here are the three that we’d recommend you add to your list.
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, found on Scala Contarini del Bovolo off the Rio de I’Barcaroli, may only be a small palace in the context of Venice and greater Italy, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable in the city. This is predominantly due to works performed some years after its original construction. Built and designed by Giovanni Candi, the Palazzo was added to by Giorgio Spavento in 1499. He added the now-iconic spiral staircase.
Seen on the exterior of the building, it was only made open to the public and capable of hosting visitors after the August 2015 restoration works. Now, not only can you see the Palazzo up close, but you can also experience the Bovolo – the incredible fanned grand staircase. The distinctly gothic building even enjoyed some time in the spotlight, being featured in Orson Welles’ Othello, which is now available fully restored in 4K as the collection run by Criterion.
Ca’ Vendramin Calergi
Taking the offshoot to take you past the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, up past Dorsoduro, San Polo, and to the Ca’ Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna, just over the river, you’ll spot an incredibly important building in the history of Venice. Known as the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi building originally, but now better known as the Casinò di Venezia, the building is now a museum and entertainment hall. While Italy is famed for its incredible cuisine, it is cited as the father of gambling entertainment, with this Venice building at the heart of the claims.
Having opened in 1638, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi set off a new trend that, by 1744, resulted in Venice having more than 120 casino houses. A resident of the Grand Canal, it continues to be one of the most-visited buildings in the city for its incredible Renaissance palace build, its stunning interior, and classic games. It still houses all of the classics from around the world, including always-popular French roulette. To this day, roulette is among the biggest online games, with the many variations of roulette still needing to compete with French roulette. Through the game of Biribi, Venetians can lay claim to helping create the randomised wheel game.
Punta della Dogan
Easily sitting among the ranks of the most stunning examples of architecture in Venice, the Punta della Dogana is seen as a sitting towards the end of a triangular island that splits into the Grand Canal from the massive Giudecca Canal. Now a contemporary art space, but formerly the Dogana da Mar (Venetian Republic Customs House), it permanently houses the private collection of Gucci Group magnate François Pinault.
Whenever you’re exploring Venice, art sites have to be atop your bucket list, even if it’s just to see a few of the many galleries or locate some Banksy street art dotted around the Dorsoduro district. Of course, to enjoy the building that was in use through the early 15th Century, you don’t necessarily have to venture into the halls. Many simply want to snap an image of the famed Dogana da Mar dome and its golden globe statue of Atlas and Fortune. As the statue, which was made in the 17th Century, moves with the wind, you’ll be hoping for some favourable weather when you follow the canal past this superb site.
There’s so much to immerse yourself in across the great city of Venice, but if you’re one for historical architecture, be sure to venture to the buildings showcased above.
