Venice Venezia Virtual Tour

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Bridge of Sighs - exterior Italy > Venezia According to legend the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) was named after the sighs of prisoners as they crossed the bridge towards the Prigioni Nuone (New Prisons). Photo: Giuseppe Pennisi	Stair "Contarini del Bovolo" - court Italy > Venezia The 15th century Renaissance Contarini-Bovolo staircase was an addition to the Contarini family home. The spiral staircase formed an interesting-looking tower that resembled a snail (bovolo is a Venetian dialect for snail). Photo: Giuseppe Pennisi	Stair "Contarini del Bovolo" Italy > Venezia Photo: Giuseppe Pennisi
Piazza San Marco at dawn Italy > Venezia Napolean called the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) “the finest drawing room in Europe.” The Square, actually a trapezoid in shape, was laid out in the 11th century when the area was divided in half by a canal. This panorama shows a rare event: no tourists. Photo: Giuseppe Pennisi