Buy Local, Get More!
St. Mark’s Basilica Was Built to House Stolen Relics
In 828 AD, Venetian merchants smuggled the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist out of Alexandria, hiding them beneath layers of pork to evade Muslim customs inspectors. The basilica was constructed to enshrine these relics, and today, his remains rest beneath the high altar.
The Doge’s Palace Was Both a Palace and a Prison
The Doge’s Palace wasn’t just the residence of Venice’s ruler—it also housed courtrooms, council chambers, and a prison. The infamous Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the prison, named for the sighs of prisoners glimpsing Venice one last time before incarceration.
Murano’s Glassmakers Were Once Forbidden to Leave the Island
To protect the secrets of glassmaking, the Venetian Republic relocated all glass furnaces to Murano in 1291. Glassmakers were granted privileges like immunity from prosecution but were prohibited from leaving the Republic.
Venice’s Narrowest Street Is Just 53 cm Wide
Calle Varisco, located in the Cannaregio district, is the narrowest street in Venice, measuring only 53 centimeters (about 21 inches) across. These slender alleyways, known as calli, are a defining feature of Venice’s labyrinthine layout.
Authorised by
Venice Tours Srl
Secure payments
Partner of
Discover the tours