Ponte della Paglia: Self-Guided Audio Tours

Discover the Treasure of Venice with this official self-guided audio tour of the Saint Mark's Basilica! Note! This tour DOES NOT include a ticket! Buy it at www.st-marks-basilica.com Located in St. Mark Square, right next to the Doge's Palace, the Saint Mark's Basilica has always been the center of Venice's public and religious life. Today it is open both for prayer and for the opportunity to admire its extraordinary artistic heritage. Starting with an incredible journey, the Basilica's story is a tale like no other. Venice brought Byzantium's spiritual and material heritage to the West and preserved it till now so travelers from all over the world could experience its grandeur. Be lucky to see 8000 square metres of mosaics covering the Basilica walls, vaults, and cupolas. Marvel at a unique architectural collection consisting of masterpieces of different types, epochs, and origins. Visit the Saint Mark's Museum, which houses precious exhibits such as Persian carpets, liturgical vestments, and illuminated manuscripts. There are only a few places in the world so rich in their history and heritage. Be sure not to miss it!

The Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square are among the most important symbols of Venice. These are at the heart of this self-guided audio tour that will take you on a journey through the city’s history. Embark on a captivating journey through Venice, a city that seamlessly blends its rich history with breathtaking beauty. Your adventure begins in the iconic St. Mark's Square, the pulsating heart of Venice, where the architectural splendor of St. Mark's Basilica and the lively ambiance of the square envelop you in the city’s vibrant spirit. From there, proceed to the majestic Doge's Palace, an enduring symbol of Venice's illustrious past and its Renaissance grandeur. Step inside to explore the sumptuous halls, each adorned with artistic masterpieces that narrate tales of power, intrigue, and artistry. Continue your tour by immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Venetian history and architecture, adding layers to the narrative of "La Serenissima." This tour not only highlights the historical landmarks but also invites you to uncover the lesser-known tales woven into the very fabric of the city. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica but is provided by an independent creator. Please keep in mind that the tour doesn't include a visit to the St. Mark's Basilica.

Today Venice is known as one of the most romantic places on Earth, but It hasn’t always been so peaceful. On this in-app audio tour, you’ll learn about the horrible events that are believed to have taken place in Venice and find places inhabited by ghosts. Start the tour at St.Mark’s Square, the principal square of Venice. There, you’ll learn about the secrets and spine-chilling stories about the place that attracts millions of tourists each year. Then you’ll go to the Church of San Zaccaria where a couple of doges were violently murdered. While strolling through the narrow winding streets you’ll listen to the stories of the Venetian Butcher who made human-meat sausages and the boy who tore out his own mother’s heart. See the famous House of Spirits and get to know why the Venetian fishermen refuse to fish in front of it. Afterward, you’ll learn the story of the House of the Mysterious Statues. The tour finishes with a legend of the miraculous sculpture of Madonna dell’Orto in a church of the same name.

The Museum of Natural History Venice, with its two rich exhibition floors, will do nothing but surprise you! On the ground floor you'll find the Cetacean Gallery – with the skeleton of a baleen whale and a young sperm whale – and the Tegnùe Aquarium, which reconstructs a particular underwater rocky environment of the Upper Adriatic Sea. On the upper floor, the museum is divided into three parts: the first is dedicated to fossils, the second recounts the evolution of collecting nature and the birth of scientific museology, and the third illustrates the variety of living forms and the complexity of adaptations and specialisations. Prepare to be amazed by our natural world at the Museum of Natural History Venice.

When you visit Venice, you can't miss Fortuny Palace, with its centuries worth of history. When you pass through the front door, you immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Venice. Its unique facade is characterised by seven openings, while its interior has wooden lintels and marble pillars. Its architectural beauty is what attracted the designer Mariano Fortuny, who decided to restore the palace and give it back its lost beauty. Amongst the designer's creations, you can admire the winter garden and painting studio located on the first noble floor. The space features art of female figures, allegorical images, satyrs and exotic animals, parrots, and monkeys enveloped in floral and vegetable motifs, garlands and grotesques. Make sure to admire the Fortuny family's antiques collection and spectacular examples of textile production during your visit.

Once the home of Venetian nobles, two world-class museums occupy the space inside this opulent ex-palace. Explore a huge collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings, as well as Expressionist and Surrealist art in The International Gallery of Modern Art. In the Oriental Art Museum, ogle the many treasures from Prince Enrico di Borbone's jaunt across Asia from 1887–89. Marvel at beautiful antique Islamic ceramics, an exquisite carved Chinese chess set from the 18th century, and more.

Duck out of the thronging crowds at St. Mark's Square, and enjoy a little holiday in the mind of a genius, with a ticket to Negozio Olivetti. Designed by celebrated Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, this boutique museum is the perfect counterpoint to Venice's Gothic and Moorish architecture - and its bustling crowds! Epitomizing Scarpa's innovative use of space, the understated elegance of Negozio Olivetti offers a bite-size slice of calming modern design, without a single pigeon in sight!

Put your city plans aside and head to the rolling Euganean Hills for a taste of early 16th-century, aristocratic Italian life. The Villa dei Vescovi (Bishops' Villa) was intended as a place for nobleman Alvise Cornaro's intellectual friends to gather and discuss the importance of art and nature. As you do! Explore the fancy rooms and spot the homages to the great outdoors in the frescoes on the walls. The views across the vineyards outside are magical. Why not bring a picnic?

With this combo ticket you'll get skip-the-line access to two of Venice's most interesting museums! Explore the art of Venetian lace-making from the 16th to the 20th centuries at the Lace Museum, then check out the largest collection of Murano glass in history at the Glass Museum.

If you wanted a no-frills adventure in Venice, this is not it. Explore the art of Venetian lace from the 16th to the 20th century at the Lace Museum and learn about the art of tatting (also known as lace)! More than 200 rare and valuable objects are preserved in the open archive here, including drawings, photographs, and other lace charms. On the first floor of the museum, you'll find four rooms packed with lacey-based items. Learn about the evolution of the art of lace-making in Venice over the centuries, and get up close to over 200 rare and precious examples. During museum opening hours, you can even see skilled master lacemakers at work, custodians of an art handed down over the centuries.