Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
yearsafteritwasbuilt.Todayyou'llseeconstructionworkbeingdonetostrengthenthebase
of the rebuilt tower. Ride the elevator 325 feet to the top of the bell tower for the best view
in Venice (especially at sunset). For an ear-shattering experience, be on top when the bells
ring. The golden archangel Gabriel at the top always faces into the wind. Beat the crowds
and enjoy the crisp morning air at 9:00 or the cool evening breeze at 18:00.
Cost and Hours:
€8, daily Easter-June and Oct 9:00-19:00, July-Sept 9:00-21:00, Nov-
Easter 9:30-16:45, tel. 041-522-4064,
www.basilicasanmarco.it
.
During Venice's glorious decline in the 18th century, this was one of seven opera houses in
the city, and one of the most famous in Europe. For 200 years, great operas and famous di-
vas debuted here, applauded by ladies and gentlemen in their finery. Then in 1996, an arson
fire completely gutted the theater. But La Fenice (“The Phoenix”) has risen from the ashes,
thanks to an eight-year effort to rebuild the historic landmark according to photographic
archives of the interior. To see the results at their most glorious, attend an evening
perform-
ance
(theater box office open daily 9:30-18:00, tel. 041-2424,
www.teatrolafenice.it
).
Youcanalso
tourtheoperahouse
duringtheday.Allyoureallyseeisthetheateritself;
there's no “backstage” tour of dressing rooms, or an opera museum. The auditorium, ringed
with box seats, is impressive: pastel blue with sparkling gold filigree, muses depicted on
the ceiling, and a starburst chandelier. It's also a bit saccharine and brings sadness to Vene-
tians whoremember theplace beforethefire.Otherthanaminorexhibit ofoperascores and
Maria Callas memorabilia, there's little to see from the world of opera. A dry 45-minute au-
dioguide recounts two centuries of construction.
CostandHours:
€8tours,generallyopendaily9:30-13:30,butcanvarywildly,depend-
ingontheperformanceschedule—toconfirm,callboxofficenumber(listedabove)orcheck
www.festfenice.com
.
LaFenice isonCampo SanFantin, between St.Mark'sSquareandthe
Accademia Bridge.
▲
Bridge of Sighs
This much-photographed bridge connects the Doge's Palace with the prison. Travelers pop-
ularized this bridge in the Romantic 19th century. Supposedly, a condemned man would be
led over this bridge on his way to the prison, take one last look at the glory of Venice, and
sigh. Though overhyped, the Bridge of Sighs is undeniably tingle-worthy—especially after
dark, when the crowds have dispersed and it's just you and floodlit Venice.
