Venice is among the most visited cities in Italy, an unmissable destination both for first comers and for lovers of the Bel Paese. But is it possible that there is still something new to discover on a tour of Venice?
Olympia Waters will surprise you! Follow us through the streets, on a true insiders' itinerary among architectural, artistic and naturalistic treasures.
Among the most evocative and interesting spaces to explore, one is the Ocean Space at the Church of San Lorenzo.
Believed to be the final resting place of Marco Polo, whose 700th anniversary of death is in 2024, the church dates back to the 9th century. Ocean Space reintegrates it into the cultural fabric of Venice, after over 100 years of inaccessibility to the public, allowing visitors to relive this magnificent and enigmatic architectural structure.
The Center presents exhibitions, research and public initiatives to promote knowledge of the ocean and environmental protection through the arts.
THE WORK OF PALLADIO AND THE TREASURES OF THE ISLAND OF SAN GIORGIO
Following the architectural trend, one cannot fail to mention Andrea Palladio, famous for his wonderful villas located throughout the Veneto region. His work has been an inspiration in the creation of some of the most famous buildings in the world, such as the White House and the Capitol in Washington.
Andrea Palladio was the official architect of the Serenissima and it was in Venice that he achieved his greatest success.
The symbol of his Venetian works is the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, which stands on the island of the same name. The church houses important works such as The Last Supper and The Gathering of the Manna by Tintoretto. Furthermore, from its 75-meter high bell tower, you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the city of Venice.
The Island of San Giorgio is also home to a former Benedictine convent, which stands next to the church, now home to the renowned Cini Foundation. The complex hosts exhibitions, events and concerts. Inside the Foundation it is possible to admire the historic library, the cloister, the Palladian cenacle and the labyrinth dedicated to the writer Luis Borges.
A TOUR AMONG THE SECRET GEMS OF VENICE
If you want to admire a unique and evocative view of Venice, you must climb the Bovolo staircase at Palazzo Contarini. It is a singular spiral staircase, 26-meters high, which embellishes the exterior of this late Gothic palace. According to legend, Pietro Contarini had the staircase built so he could ride up to his bedroom, which was located on the top floor of the building.
Piazza San Marco itself offers new views to fall in love with. Architecture lovers must not miss the Olivetti showroom. A true masterpiece of twentieth-century architecture, with spaces designed down to the smallest details and created by skilled craftsmen, it has reopened after years of abandonment. The extraordinary central staircase, almost suspended in space, is a masterpiece of lightness and dynamism.
Designed by the great architect Carlo Scarpa, the Olivetti showroom is a wonderful balance between functionality and elegance.
Not far away, we find the Marciana National Library with the Libreria Sansoviniana Palace and its Monumental rooms.
The visit continues towards the Royal Gardens connected by a drawbridge to Piazza San Marco and extending over an area of ​​approximately 5,000 m2. Overlooking the Marciano basin, the gardens are surrounded by canals, along which you can admire the Correr Museum, the Imperial Halls of the Royal Palace, the National Archaeological Museum and the Marciana National Library.