Venice's Grand Canal, or Canal Grande, is a lifeline of the city, connecting districts and landmarks. It stretches almost 4 km and showcases Venice's rich history and architectural grandeur, from Venetian-Byzantine to Baroque styles. Explore the canal by vaporetto or gondola, and don't miss landmarks like the Rialto Bridge. For a more budget-friendly option, hop on a traghetto.

The Venetian Lion, a symbol of Venice, appears throughout the city. The lion represents St. Mark, Venice's patron saint. This connection comes from Christian iconography, where Mark is linked to a lion. In 828, the Venetians brought the saint's relics to Venice, adopting him as their patron. The most famous lion statue stands at Piazzetta San Marco. It likely hails from China or the Greek world.

Venice, the city of canals and gondolas, emerged in the 5th and 6th centuries after the fall of Rome. It grew into a powerful maritime republic by the 9th century, dominating Mediterranean trade. Venice’s cultural legacy includes renowned artists like Titian and Vivaldi. Despite military challenges, it flourished for over a millennium before its decline in the 18th century.