Built in 1630 by Baldassare Longhena to ward off a plague epidemic, this immense church crowned with a domed and standing almost exactly at the mouth of the Grand Canal, is one of the best-known sites of Venice. If the interior can seem quite cold within its majestic solemnity, it does contain some priceless works of art: The Wedding of Cana by Tintoretto, and works by Titian whose topic is sacrifice (ceiling of the Sacristy) and altarpieces by Luca Giordano.

If the facade of Saint Mark's Basilica is superb, the interior will leave you in awe with its mosaics on golden backgrounds that cover the walls, cupolas, and illuminate this oriental looking basilica! If you want to see them more closely, you will have to the gallery from which get a panoramic view of the interior of the Basilica, you will see the magnificently alive bronze horses and will be able to access the balcony from which you will have a spectacular view of Piazza San Marco.

A Lombard facade, a masterpiece of the Renaissance, built by Codussi between 1480 and 1500 according to the plan for the Church of Saint Michael. A spacious interior with a Renaissance nave and Gothic choir, and walls that are literally covered with paintings: the most famous one is the Holy Conversation by Giovanni Bellini (1505). You must also see the Chapel of Gold adorned with three splendid altarpieces from 1443, by Antonio Vivarini (paintings) and Ludovico da Forli (frames).

Built by the Dominicans from 1240 to 1430, this is the largest Gothic church in Venice. Its solemn character is derived from its historical role as doges’ pantheon. The impressively spacious and light interior layout comprises a nave and two aisles preceding a transept which gives onto five apses. In the Rosary Chapel, note Veronese’s New Testament scenes, and the St Vincent Ferrer polyptych by Giovanni Bellini (first altar on the right).

Its sophisticated architectural design and splendid polychrome marble decoration indicate that this church draws inspiration from 15C Tuscan examples. Built by Pietro Lombardo between 1481 and 1489, it is one of the earliest and best examples of Renaissance art in Venice. On the altar stands a Virgin and Child, the focus of devotion in this church dedicated to Mary.

Immense, the Church of the Friars Minor (Franciscans) has the tallest bell tower in Venice, after Saint Mark, of course. Built entirely with bricks, very sober, this Gothic church imposes itself by its size, and above all, by the works of art it contains: in particular The Assumption, a masterpiece by Titian, which should not make you forget to see a marvelous Triptych by Bellini and the monument to Canova, executed according to the drawings by the sculptor for a monument to Titian.

This church has a complex layout and a very rich decor. Note the painting by Titian and a funerary monument by Sansovino. There is a bust marking the location of Veronese’s tomb – who dedicated a large portion of his life to painting superb frescoes for this church.

Facing the canal, the chevet of this very old basilica offers a remarkable view. The central circular apse is a masterpiece of Venetian Byzantine art of the 12C. Inside, a superb floor made of mosaic that is especially rich in terms of embellishments that are symbolic, or represent animals, which remind you of the mosaics at San Marco.