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St. Mark’s Basilica

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Articles on St. Mark’s Square & Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica is the patron saint of Venice but wasn’t always that way. In the late 9th century AD the remains of St. Mark were stolen from Alexandria and brought to Venice. At that point, St. Mark became the patron saint and everything changed.

You could say that “stealing relics” is a very dark way to start such a marvelous city but this is the way of Venice. It is a wonderful place that I adore and love visiting but is no less guilty of corruption than any other kingdom.

The Doges (dukes) tortured their adversaries and imprisoned them until they got confessions. They also hid the secrets of glassblowing and would not let the glass blowers leave the kingdom in order to keep the price of Venetian glass high. Ultimately, they even helped to sack Constantinople though it was a fellow Christian state.

Learn more about Venice and what you need to know to plan your visit by reading through the articles below.

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Things to See in St. Mark's Basilica
Top Things to See
The Ridiculous History

Astounding Facts St. Mark's 260 x 315
12 Astounding Facts

Where to Eat Nearby

Where to Stay in Venice
Where to Stay in Venice

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How to See Venice in A Day
Getting Around Venice Italy is Easy
Visiting Murano & Burano | Islands near venice

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Top St Mark’s Basilica & Venice Tours

Venice is such an interesting and unique city that it makes sense to get the inside info from a local guide. Our passionate guides make the experience much more memorable and ensure you see everything you are supposed to. Navigating Venice can be difficult, even with GPS, and a guide will help you get your bearings while adding to your experience. Not to mention, they skip the lines!

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

The excitement of planning a visit to Venice can become a challenge due to crowds and long waits. Our expert guides grant you privileged entrance, allowing you to skip the lines at St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Next, it’s time to relax as your guide will then lead you to the serene waters of the Grand Canal on a classic gondola ride, capturing the essence of this enchanting city in just a few hours.

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Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Venice’s narrow streets, winding canals, and countless attractions means it’s easy to lose your way in this floating city. Our Venice In A Day tour takes away the guesswork with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, ensuring you maximize your time. Discover hidden gems and charming back streets with a passionate local guide who reveals the secrets of Venice.

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Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano

Seeing Venice’s highlights in one day on your own can mean getting lost, waiting in lines, or missing key experiences. With us, you’ll explore Venice’s top attractions effortlessly, starting in St. Mark’s Square with skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Enjoy a scenic boat ride to Murano for glassblowing and Burano for its colorful canals with a fun and engaging guide.

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Latest Venice Articles

Four Days in Venice: Secret Passages and Prosecco Dreams

Brandon Shaw

Venice isn’t just about St. Mark’s and gondolas. It’s a living storybook of hidden palaces, colorful islands, secret gardens, and sparkling Prosecco hills just beyond the lagoon. Four days gives you time to see the famous sights and slip into the city’s quieter, dreamier side. Pro tips: Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want to…

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Three Days in Venice: The Lazy Planners Guide

Brandon Shaw

Venice isn’t a checklist city—it’s a feeling. In three days, you can move beyond the postcard version and find the soul of the Serenissima: quiet canals, world-changing art, floating markets, and unforgettable meals. With smart timing and insider stops, you’ll experience the Venice most visitors miss. Pro tips: Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want…

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the tour guy st mark's square venice

Two Days in Venice: For Travelers Who Hate Planning

Brandon Shaw

Venice is unlike anywhere else: a city where streets are canals, cars are boats, and every corner hides another masterpiece. Two days is the sweet spot—enough time to see the big sights, lose yourself in quiet alleys, and discover why Venice captures the heart like no other place. Pro tips: Bookmark this in your browser,…

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One Day in Venice: The Smart Way to Conquer the Floating City

Brandon Shaw

Planning one day in Venice can feel overwhelming—twisting alleys, crowded piazzas, endless bridges. But don’t worry: with a smart plan, you can experience the very best of the Floating City in just one day. Here’s your ultimate guide to Venice without the chaos. Pro tips: Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want to circle back…

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Best Shopping in Venice for Every Budget

Danielle Strayer

Luxury splurges, mid-range finds, and budget-friendly souvenirs—this guide to the best places to shop in Venice for every budget has it all.

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The Best Venice Shopping Itinerary

Danielle Strayer

Venice isn’t known for shopping—but it should be. This best Venice shopping itinerary leads you to the city’s hidden boutiques and workshops.

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How To Attend The 2025 Venice Carnival

Danielle Strayer

Every year, for a few weeks in late winter, Venice transforms into a world of masked extravagance. Streets overflow with lavishly costumed visitors, decorated gondolas glide through canals, and centuries-old traditions come out to play. Toss in a few million visitors, some confetti rockets, and lots of parades, and you’ve got one of the most insane celebrations in the world. Want in? Here’s everything you need to know about attending the 2025 Venice Carnival.

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The 10 Best Tours To Take During the 2025 Venice Carnival and Why

Danielle Strayer

Planning to attend the world’s greatest celebration? We’ve rounded up the best tours to take during the 2025 Venice Carnival.

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Venice Canal at sunset.

Venice’s 9 Most Haunted Locations

Katie Maloney

Venice is renowned as a haunted city, with countless legends and ghostly tales woven into its rich tapestry of history. Our Venice experts have meticulously uncovered the most haunted spots, revealing the chilling stories that linger in the shadows. Venice is the perfect spot for anyone intrigued by the supernatural. Pro Tip: Heading to Venice…

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How To Spend Half a Day in Venice

Cecilia Rinaldi

With its gorgeous canals lined by historic architecture, Venice is one of Italy’s most famous destinations for good reason. Venice consists of 118 small islands and over 400 bridges, a veritable maze of a city. As long as you have good plans in place, it’s possible to see the highlights of Venice in only half…

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Exterior view of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice at night

The Ultimate 24-hour Video Guide to Venice’s Hidden Gems

Cecilia Rinaldi

Join Sean from The Roman Guy on a whirlwind day trip from Rome to Venice! While an overnight stay is ideal, Sean’s got your back for a speedy adventure. Picture this: St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace, all within a skip-and-hop radius. Sean’s pro tip? Grab those tickets in advance and…

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Are Tours of the Doge’s Palace Worth It?

Ian Sumpter

Are tours of the Doge’s Palace Worth it? The short answer is yes. But why? If you are flying half way round the world to explore one of the worlds most enigmatic cities, you don’t want to miss a thing. So find out exactly why I think tours of the Doge’s Palace are worth it…

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