Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians

Veneto
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

The region of Veneto has the Alps in the north and the Adriatic coastline to the south, including the Venice Lagoon. Given the region’s rich history, a number of cities have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Venice, Verona and Vicenza. The Orto Botanico di Padova, the oldest academic botanical garden still in its original location, is also UNESCO listed. The Provinces in Veneto are: Belluno, Padova, Rovigo, Treviso, Venice, Verona and Vicenza.
Boats line the Grand Canal in Venice just after sunset.

Italy's Floating City:
48 Hours in Venice

With its winding medieval streets and majestic Grand Canal, not unsurprisingly Venice is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Often thought of as the ultimate romantic city, it also prides itself on cultural events like Venice Carnival (3 to 13 February 2024), the Venice Biennale Architecture (60th: 20 April to 24 November 2024), and the Venice International Film Festival (28 August to 7 September 2024). Although the city is hardly ancient by Italian standards, Venice has a rich and fascinating history. Two days is certainly a good start.

Archaeology & History Sites in Veneto

Belluno

At the foot of the Dolomites, where the Ardo and Piave rivers converge lies the town of Belluno. During the 5th century BC the area was inhabited by Iron Age Celtic communities, from where it is thought the name ‘Shining City’ comes from. Belluno played an important role in both World Wars, after WW” the city was awarded a gold medal for military valour due to the partisan resistance based in the town. The ancient city walls and fine medieval architecture is easily explored on foot. Be sure to sample local cuisine, including Schiz, a grilled cheese dish, or Pastin, a minced meat mixture.

Padua

According to legend, Padua was founded by Antenor in 1132 BC, a Trojan prince fleeing from war with the Greeks. But it is better known as an important centre in the history of Italian art and culture, particularly from the 14th to the 16th centuries; the city was home to both Giotto and Donatello. Frescoes from the 14th century inside well-known religious and civil buildings, together with the world’s oldest botanical garden, have been recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Padua is also known as the ‘city of 3 withouts’, add it to your itinerary to find out why.

St Mark's Basilica

Officially the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, this is one of the most well known basilica’s in Italy. Certainly, it ranks amongst the finest examples of Italian Byzantine architecture. The first St Mark’s church was built next to the Doge’s Palace and intended as a private chapel for the Doge of Venice. That church was destroyed and the current basilica constructed in the later 11 century. One of the features of this church is the spectacular gold mosaics, which is why the basilica is also known as the ‘church of gold’.

Venice

Among the most beautiful cities in the world, it certainly needs no introduction. Located in a lagoon, it was the capital of the Serenissima Republic of Venice for over a thousand years. The coat of arms is the winged lion of St Mark, a immediately recognisable symbol. Beautiful views and picturesque canals, traversed by the city’s iconic gondolas, have long inspired artists from all over the world. Along with Cannes and Berlin, Venice is one of the film capitals of Europe, as host of the much celebrated annual film festival.

Verona

The entire city of Verona is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known worldwide as the city of love, where William Shakespeare set one of his most well known tragedies, Romeo and Juliet. It rises on the banks of the Adige, a river that has played a central role in the city’s economy over the centuries. The city’s Roman origins are well documented – most notably by the Arena di Verona, which today hosts concerts and cultural events. Rich in history and culture, as can be experienced in the many monuments scattered along its streets.

Verona Arena - Roman Amphitheatre

Built in 30 AD with a seating capacity of around 30,000 people, the Roman amphitheatre in Verona is still in use. Just as in ancient times spectators came from far and wide to the shows staged here, so too today the amphitheatre is internationally renown for its operatic productions, which have been staged here since the 1850s. Not only is the arena one of the best preserved of its kind from the Roman world, the acoustics are outstanding making it a perfect venue for large scale musical performances and festivals.

Museums & Art Galleries in Veneto

Este National Museum - Museo Nazionale Atestino

In pre-Roman times, the area around Este was the centre of the Veneti Iron Age tribe. During the 2nd century BC Este became a Roman Colony – Ateste. The history of the region, from prehistory to the Roman period is on display in 11 galleries created in the 16th century Palazzo Mocenigo. From the museum, a six mile, self-guided walk leads visitors around the city taking in a series of pre-Roman and Roman points of interest, including a prehistoric necropolis and a Roman/medieval Castle.

St Mark's Museum

Opened in 1923, a tour of exhibition areas and the Basilica itself allows visitors to St. Mark’s Museum to see the gold mosaics, textiles and the original four bronze horses. Exhibitions place the extraordinary material heritage of the basilica in the context of the church’s spiritual and political history. The museum displays are in the vaulted galleries that are beneath and support the domes – an architectural structure that mirrors that of the basilica but in an undecorated form.