St. Mark's Square and hidden Venice
Joined 2025
St. Mark is one of the six sestieri of Venice, lying in the heart of Venice.
The St. Mark sestiere, originally called Rivoalto, from which comes the name Rialto, is the original nucleus of the city. The heart of this sestiere is St. Mark's Square, which for almost a thousand years was the political and judiciary center of the Venetian Republic.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
St. Mark's Square
- In St. Mark's Square at the pillar of the lion
Introduction
A greeting with the guests and a first introduction to myself.
Here I start describing the lagoon of Venice and why it was the foundation of a city in such an unhealthy landscape. From there I show Lido, the island that separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea; the Giardini area, the main center for the Biennale Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Architecture; Vivaldi Church; St. George Maggiore and Giudecca Islands; and St. Maria della Salute Church. We will see the famous Bridge of Sighs and the Palace of the Prisons.
Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
Now I will show the guests from outside the Doge's Palace, which was the government center of Venice, the center of the political splendor of the city. In the Middle Ages, Venice was really a very important state for the political balance of all Europe. The Doge's Palace is a mirror of the power of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. I will explain the highlights of the Venetian government system, the first democratic system in all of Europe. The doge as a president, not as a king. The Doge's palace was the center of justice in Venice too. Here were the court chamber and the prisons. The Bridge of Sighs was the connection between the court chamber and the palace of the prisons.
St. Mark's Square
Now we will go to the center of St. Mark's Square. I will describe to you the neoclassical Biblioteca Marciana designed by Jacopo Sansovino, the bell tower, the Procuratories, and the Clock Tower.
St. Mark's Church
At the front of the facade of St. Mark's Church, I will describe the history of the cathedral, the significance of the gospel writer for us Venetians, his symbol—the winged lion—and the magnificence of the iconography in the mosaics that adorn the naves of the church.
a walk through narrows and hidden streets in Venice
Now we will leave St. Mark's Square, and we will walk to Campo Santa Maria Formosa. I will tell you how it was possible to build a city in a very unhealthy place like a lagoon. I will describe to you the wooden foundations of the houses in Venice. In Campo Santa Maria Formosa, I will show you the different architectural styles of the palaces, explain to you why the squares in Venice have the name of "campo," and tell the history of the very old Santa Maria Formosa church.
Campo San Giovanni e Paolo
Walking from Campo Santa Maria Formosa to Campo San Giovanni, I will tell you the number of the islands and of the bridges in the main center of Venice, and that in the Middle Ages Venetians had to move by boat through the city. I will describe to you the gondolas and their special shape.
In Campo San Giovanni you will see a huge church and the monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni by Andrea Verrocchio, the master of Leonardo da Vinci. You will be surprised by the view of the main hospital of Venice.
Marco Polo and Rialto
From Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, we will go to Rialto.
On the way you will see where it was the house of Marco Polo, the most famous Venetian of all time. In Corte del Milion I will tell you the history of the famous explorer who was in China and went back to Venice just after 24 years. From this marvelous experience, Marco Polo wrote his book "The Million Adventures of Marco Polo in China," simply called "The Million."
Then we will reach the Canal Grande. I will show you the Rialto Bridge from a hidden pier where you will have a wonderful view of the Canal Grande, far away from the crowded streets filled with tourists.
We will go to the top of the Rialto Bridge to enjoy the view.
Then we will continue the tour, walking along the Canal Grande until Palazzo Corner Loredan Farsetti, the government center of Venice today. In this palace was born Elena Lucrezia Corner Piscopia, the first lady in the world who studied at the university and graduated in 1678.
At the end we will go back to St. Mark's Square to finish the tour.
Ending Point
St. Mark's Square
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee is included in the tour price
No entrance tickets in museums are included in the tour price. It is a walking tour through Venice
Tour Important Information
This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Important message from the supplier
A tour last not less then 2 hours, but we can extend it to 3 or 4 hours. Tours to the islands Murano, Burano and Torcello take not less then 4 hours.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Massimo T.
My name is Massimo, but everybody knows me as Max. I was born in Gorizia in 1961. I moved to Venice in 1983 to study languages and literature at the Ca' Foscari Venice University and graduated in 1989.
My love for Venetian Art and History led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2009.
I'm married and have one daughter.
I offer private tours through the city for groups and families. It will be a pleasure for me to show you my city, to envolve you with Venetian histories discovering some secret places.
If you wish, you can write to me so that I can organise a tour in Venice that is best suited to your wishes and needs.
$210/ per group
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The heart of Venice: Saint Mark’s Square
Enjoy the real heart of Venice! I will be pleased to introduce you to the most fascinating Square in the World! Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark’s Basilica are the major monuments in Venice. Let’s come with me to discover the political and religious heart of the Serenissima Republic!
