Discover Venice: Lagoon, History and Art

Venice is a city whose character is closely connected to the lagoon. The city extends across 118 small islands. Venice and its lagoon form an inseparable unity, while Venice is the historic centre of this unique area. Those looking for accommodation can therefore plan their stay from different perspectives: with a focus on history, religious art, important collections or the special connection between the city and its aquatic landscape.

Historic Venice and the Basilica di San Marco

A central point of reference in the city is the Basilica di San Marco. It is considered Venice’s most important monument and at the same time represents civic life and religious faith. Its history goes back a long way: for around a thousand years, the Basilica di San Marco served as the Doge’s chapel and as the state church. In 1807, it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice and the city’s cathedral.

These historical functions give the Basilica several layers of meaning. When planning your trip, you may therefore be interested both in Venice’s political history and in its religious tradition. The Basilica should not be viewed merely as an individual building, but as part of the city’s historical identity.

Art collections and special visits

The Museo Correr offers another opportunity to get to know Venice from a historical perspective. There, visitors can view the Sale Reali as part of a visit with a specialised guide. This specific aspect of the visit is particularly suitable for travellers who wish to complement their stay with deeper insights into the city’s history.

The Museo del Settecento Veneziano is now housed in a palace built on behalf of the Bon family. The Collezione Peggy Guggenheim is also one of Italy’s most important museums for 20th-century European and American art. It is located in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim’s former residence. The collection is situated on the Grand Canal between the Ponte dell’Accademia and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection offers free daily presentations about Peggy Guggenheim’s life and the history of her collection. This means that a museum visit can be explored not only through the works on display, but also through the person and the collection’s origins. If you would like to combine art and the history of the city, these different institutions can provide important points of reference when planning your stay.

Location pages for further orientation

For your further search, you will also find pages about Tessera, Marghera, Favaro Veneto, Campalto, Dese, Trivignano, Zelarino and Alberoni. You can also consult the pages about Murano, Giudecca, Mestre and Altino. This allows you to align your accommodation search with the focus of your trip without prematurely equating the city, lagoon, islands and other location options.

To the higher-level travel overview: Venice.