In and Around St. Mark‘s Square: A Walk with Context

Dive into the history of Venice on this walking tour of Piazza San Marco (St. Mark‘s Square) and its surroundings with Context Travel expert Dr Susan Steer, an art historian who specializes in Medieval and Renaissance Venice.

Our walk starts at St. Mark's Square, Venice's most famous piazza and one of several historically significant landmarks you'll visit on this tour. As you stroll across ancient bridges and wander down winding streets, you'll gain an understanding of the important role Venice played in merging the Eastern and Western worlds during the Medieval and Renaissance eras.

Along the way, Susan will share stories to bring the city's history to life, as well as introduce you to some of the men and women who transformed it. She'll show you architectural landmarks like Teatro La Fenice, the center of Venetian culture, and the hidden oasis known as the Giardini Reali, or Royal Gardens, where our tour ends.

On this walking tour of Venice, you‘ll:

• Hear about the power and wealth of Venice as a merchant city
• Take in St Mark’s Square‘s sights, including the Clock Tower, Saint Mark‘s Basilica, the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana (Marciana library), the Zecca (the State Mint), and the many museums in the square
• Learn about the 1000+ year history of the city
• Explore the Doge’s Palace
• Find the former haunts of literary greats like Ernest Hemingway
• See the legacy of Italian poets, painters and writers who lived and worked in Venice in monuments and place names
• Observe the ornate arches, stunning buildings, picturesque bridges and windy canals that make Venice the most romantic city in the world, including Bridge of Sighs and Ponte della Paglia
• Discover Byzantine art and its influence on the Western Roman Empire

By the end of this hour-long tour, you‘ll have a deeper appreciation for Venice‘s history.