Interesting facts about Venice

April 20, 2010 | In: Geography Facts

Venice is also known as “La Serenissima” (the most serenely beautiful one) and “Queen of the Adriatic”.

The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy.

Venice has 160 canals connected by 409 bridges It is built on wood poles from Cadore forests, in the Alps.

Venice is the only European city (and one of the few in the world) to have its public transport entirely on the water.

The palaces in Venice were built with the facade in front of the canal. The entrance used today was actually the secondary one.

The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, although it is now mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies.

St Mark’s Cathedral of Venice, also known as St Mark’s Basilica, is one of the most famous as well as most beautiful churches in the city.

The historic city centre of Venice is divided into six quarters (sestieri) – Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce.

Many famous people in history were born in Venice including Giacomo Casanova, the explorer Marco Polo, and composer Antonio Vivaldi.