Cruising down the Grand Canale and arriving at the famous Piazza San Marco. Braving the crampness and pushing on the water bus to San Marco, it wasn't until making a welcoming diversion at the small isle of San Giorgio Maggiore where I experienced the true essence of San Marco and the Dorsoduro.

Background

The Vaporetto chugged down the main artery of Venice, the Grand Canale, full of passengers, and the numerous tourists taking vantage points along the sides of the boat. Like being in a cramped rock concert hall with canal of Venice as the central stage, the Vaporetto or water bus, is the central mode of public transport for commuting along the main canals of the city.

About 15 minutes later from the Ponte de Scalzi, our water bus finally arrived at the San Marco stop. I soon arrived into the Piazza San Marco where the famous Campanile, St Mark's Basilica, Ducale Palace could be seen in addition to those annoying pigeons that settle around the square. Around the corner from the square and Ducale's Palace is the famous Bridge of Sighs and views of St Giorgio Maggiore from Riva de Schiavoni.

One aspect of San Marco that still ceases to amaze me are the infinite number of vantage points. From the balcony of St Mark's Basilica, I could see the whole of Piazza San Marco. At the Campanile, I could see whole island and some of its surrounding islands including San Michele and Murano. And if that was not enough, from San Giorgio Maggiore (a few minutes by water bus), , the basin of St Mark and the Campanile and Ducale palace can be seen in a nutshell.

Technical

Canon EOS 28-90mm and 75-300mm lense for zoom shots. Panaromics done using Canon A20 Powershot.

Links

ACTV - Venice vaporetto information
Venice Virtual Tour
Aerial view of San Marco