The Piazza San Marco is undoubtedly the most famous square in the world. Napoleon described it as "the most elegant drawing room in Europe". Without question, St. Mark's Basilica (above) is an outstanding example of Venetian architecture in the Byzantine style. Debbie (right) stands still just long enough for a snapshot, lest the pigeons mistake her for a statue...

   The photos above are two of five mosaics that frame the entrance to St. Mark's. Each mosaic depicts either a scene of St. Mark, or a story about the journey of his relics to Venice. Over the main entrance is this magnificent arch with a gilded figure of St. Mark's Lion (right). Beneath the figure of the Lion, are four bronze horses that were taken from Constantinople in 1204. (These horses are replicas, the originals are inside the Basilica.)

   One thing we were cautioned about Italy -- other than pick pockets -- was that food would be prohibitively expensive. We typically did not find this to be the case. Two blocks from St. Mark's, a light lunch of antipasto, bread and wine would be less than $15 for two. The exception was the cafes in St. Mark's square. Debbie and I (below, lower right) enjoyed a half liter of wine and some pretzles for only $25, but hey, that also included the 6000 lire fee each for the music!

   Below right is the Bridge of Sighs.  It led from the judicial chambers of the Palazzo Ducal across the Rio del Palazzo to the prison.  Legend says that it was named after the sighs of the condemned crossing to meet their doom.
   Most canals in Venice are small, neighborhood "streets" (below) with the exception of the Grand Canal (below, right) which splits Venice in half with a large, lazy 'S'.
   This is the view from the Rialto which was completed in 1591 to replace a wood structure that collapsed due to rot or sabotage. It was the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal until 1854.

At right is the Palazzo Ducal, or Doge's Palace.  Click on the photo to see more of it.