Basilica and Doge's palace

The mosaics in St. Mark's Basilica and its facade are gorgeous. Biblical scenes and Venetian history are depicted in golden pictures made from tiny pieces of stone.
The nearby clock tower is centuries old and tracks the time, as well as the sun and moon phases. The hour was celebrated by two bronze bell ringers swinging large hammers at the bell.
The Doge's Palace is actually the seat of government and is full of statues and paintings that track the Island's history and it's values. It also houses the courts.
The Palace is linked to the goal by a bridge. This bridge, high above the canal, is called the Bridge of Sighs because prisoners often sighed in sadness as they crossed to their punishment. We walked this route and saw the cells. It would have been tortuous to be confined here.Read more