The town is still surrounded by more than 9
kilometres of ancient walls, mainly built in the 15th and 16th
centuries.
Of course we reccomend first of all the Cathedral and
the Castello Estense - the castle once seat of the
ducal family of Este.
For a broad view of the medieval and Renaissance town, we suggest
a walk along via delle Volte, typical example of XIV
Century road, along the dark lanes leading off from it, and
along the streets of the Addizione Erculea, especially Corso
Ercole I of Este as far as the famous Diamond Crossroads,
and not forgetting a brief visit to Piazza Ariostea,
a grandiose and genial "space" conceived by the town-planner
within the context of a series of noble buildings and to the
Certosa.
The Cathedral dates from 1135, when it was consecrated
to St. George. Its façade is in romanesque style in the
lower, more ancient part, and gothic in the upper part. Nicholaus,
a great master of the romanesque sculpture, is the author of
the ‘Saint George’ and the ‘Scenes from the
New Testament’ above the main portal. The prothvrum dates
from the l3th century. In the small loggia stands a ‘Madonna
with Child’ (1427) by Cristoforo da Firenze.
Gran Canal
Canal Grande. For four kilometres,
the Grand Canal winds down a fantastic architectural
canyon lined with rococo palaces and Moorish mansions,
past splendid baroque and Gothic churches adorned with
the frescos and paintings of the greatest artists of
the Renaissance, and here and there the everyday shops,
markets and banks of this still very vibrant maritime
metropolis.
Piazza San Marco. Undoubtedly
the most photographed and famous plaza in Europe, St.
Mark's is in the heart of the city, surrounded by chic
sidewalk cafes and boutiques.
Activities: city walk sightseeing, dining, shopping
Palazzo Ducale. The most impressive secular
building in Venice, this palace served as the senate
house, administrative center, hall of justice, public
archive and prison up until the fall of the Venetian
Republic in 1797.
Basilica di San Marco. Blending the architectural
styles of East and West, Venice's magnificent basilica
was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building
to house the remains of St. Mark.
San Marco 328, Venice 30124, Italy
Tel: 39-041-5225205
Canal Grande. For four kilometres,
the Grand Canal winds down a fantastic architectural
canyon lined with rococo palaces and Moorish mansions,
past splendid baroque and Gothic churches adorned with
the frescos and paintings of the greatest artists of
the Renaissance, and here and there the everyday shops,
markets and banks of this still very vibrant maritime
metropolis. 
Piazza San Marco. Undoubtedly
the most photographed and famous plaza in Europe, St.
Mark's is in the heart of the city, surrounded by chic
sidewalk cafes and boutiques.
Palazzo Ducale. The most impressive secular
building in Venice, this palace served as the senate
house, administrative center, hall of justice, public
archive and prison up until the fall of the Venetian
Republic in 1797.
Basilica di San Marco. Blending the architectural
styles of East and West, Venice's magnificent basilica
was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building
to house the remains of St. Mark.