Venice is a historic city known for its canals, architecture, and art. It dates back to the 9th century and was a powerful maritime republic that prospered through trade for nearly 1000 years under a doge. Some of Venice's most famous landmarks include St. Mark's Square, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, and the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The city is also home to the Accademia art gallery and the island of Murano is known for its glassmaking tradition.

1. Venice… one of the most interesting and lovely places in the world …

2. Venice is best described by an aggregation of romantic adjectives that complete justice to the impeccable countenance and postcard beauty of the Italian stunner. History The Most Serene Republic of Venice dates back to 827, when a Byzantine Duke moved its seat to what is now known as the Rialto, and for the following 970 years, prospered on trade and under the rule of a Roman-style Senate headed by the Doge. Alas in 1797, the city was conquered by Napoleon, a blow from which the city never recovered. The city was soon merged into Austria-Hungary, then ping-ponged back and forth between Austria and a nascent Italy, but Venice is still a monument to the glory days of the Renaissance, and historical culture still throbs powerfully in the old Italians' veins.

3. The Grand Canal Although Venice is composed of islands and canals, the Grand Canal is the only really large one. It's shaped like a backwards letter S, and is approximately two miles long. At its widest point, at the Salute/San Marco (southern) end, it is roughly 350 feet wide; the normal width is about half that. The Grand Canal was traditionally the high-rent district in Venice; houses were larger, and decoration was on a much grander scale.

4. Academia The Accademia (Gallerie dell' Accademia) is a museum gallery of pre-19th century art in Venice , northern Italy . Situated on the south bank of the Grand Canal , it gives its name to one of the three bridges across the canal, the Ponte dell’ Accademia , and to the boat landing station for the Vaporetto water bus. It was originally created as an art school.

5. St Mark’s Square St. Mark's Square lies in the heart of Venice and is one the most photographed attractions in the world. The square is defined by arcades on three sides and St. Mark's church on the eastern end.

6. Rialto The Piazza San Marco may be more famous, but the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) is the true heart of Venice. The current structure was built in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century. It remained the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854.

7. Basilica Dei Frari The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually just called the Frari is o ne the greatest churches in the city, it has the status of a minor basilica . The church is dedicated to the Assumption.

8. Lido Island The Lido forms the main land barrier between Venice and the open sea. For many years a succession of Doges made their way out to the shallow waters of the Lido to celebrate a the Ceremony of Venice's marriage to the sea by dropping a ring into the waters. Acknowledging the important role the sea has played in the history of Venice, and illuminating how Venice depends on the mercy of the sea for its continued survival.

9. Murano Glass Factory Murano glass has been a famous product of the Venetian island of Murano for centuries. Murano was a commercial port as far back as the 7th century. By the 10th century it had become a well-known city of trade. Today Murano remains a destination for tourists and art and jewellery lovers alike.

10. Venice - one of the most important tourist destinations in the world