Adventure #186

Matt and I had breakfast at our hotel the next day in Venice. Our first stop was the Rialto Bridge, which is super cool. The Rialto was completed in 1591 and was the only bridge across the Grand Canal until 1854. There are also fish, fruit, and vegetable markets by the bridge. We arrived at the bridge early so it was not too crowded.

After the Rialto Bridge we made our way to Piazza San Marco. But first here are more pictures of canals! And a church called Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

We arrived at Piazza San Marco only to see it flooded. Which only added to the adventure. We walked on elevated walkways to stay out of several inches of water. The walkways were crowded and it was raining, so we were dodging people and umbrellas. The square is simply amazing though. Our first stop was to Basilica di San Marco and what a church. The third church to be built on the site. The first was ruined in a fire and the second was torn down to build the present day church, which was finished around 1094. St. Mark's body is supposedly housed inside, since he was lost in the fire, but mysteriously returned later. The church is not immune to the flooding either. The entrance was covered in water.

After the basilica we visited the Doges' Palace. Amazing. However, we could not take pictures inside.

Then we rode the elevator to the top of the Campanile. It was windy and blowing rain in our faces so we were not able to take many pictures.

We spent the rest of the day visiting churches, the Correr Museum, and getting lost.