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The Scuola Grande di San Rocco at Venice at Campo San Rocco, San Polo 3058, Venice, is a splendid building that stands next to the church of San Rocco and hence, takes its name from there. It is open from April to October – 09:00 to 17:30 and from November to March – 10:00 to 16:00.

The building has an exquisite exterior with large, white marble columns on the facade. The building has two halls, one at ground floor level, the other at first floor level. The Sala Terra (lower) has a nave and two aisles, with the entrance from the campo outside. From this hall a stair (with a landing surmounted by a dome) leads to the upper storey. The Sala Superiore (“Upper Hall”) was used for meetings of the fellows and had a wooden altar. It provided access to the Sala dell’Albergo, which housed the Banca and the Zonta (the confraternity’s supervisory boards).

The interiors have been beautifully done by the famous artist Tintoretto, who spent over 23 years of his life decorating the school. There are more than 50 paintings by the master and the concentration of work is almost overwhelming. Hand mirrors are available to allow visitors to inspect the ceiling paintings more easily. There is also some interesting carved woodwork, which includes a false book collection.

Works in the sala terra are in homage to the Virgin Mary, and concentrate on episodes from her life. In the sala superiore, works on the ceiling are from the Old Testament, and on the walls from the New Testament. Together, they show the biblical story from Fall to Redemption. The main works in Sala Terrena include:

• Annunciation
• Adoration of the Magi
• The Flight into Egypt
• The Slaughter of the Innocents
• Presentation in the Temple
• The Assumption of Mary
• St Mary Magdalen
• St Mary of Egypt

The main works in the ceiling of Sala Superiore include:

• Adam and Eve
• Jacob’s Ladder
• God Appears to Moses
• The Passover
• The Pillar of Fire
• The Fall of Manna in the Desert
• Moses Strikes Water from the Rock
• Miracle of the Bronze Serpent
• Elijah is Fed by the Angels
• Elisha Distributes Bread
• The Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel

The main works on the walls of Sala Superiore include:

• The Adoration of the Shepherds
• The Baptism
• Christ Tempted by Satan
• Christ Heals the Paralytic
• Multiplication of Bread and Fishes
• The Resurrection of Lazarus
• The Last Supper
• The Agony in the Garden
• The Resurrection
• The Ascension

The city of Venice is a unique marvel of engineering and is known as the “Queen of the Adriatic” and “La Serenissima”. The city is an ultimate romantic destination lying on the network of waterways and bridges and also famous for its Venetian glass, lace, art, carnival masks, churches, palaces and public squares. Although a ride on the grand canal is a must for all the tourists, this highly pedestrianized city can also be explored by foot as most of the top attractions are easily within walking distance. By taking one of the many walking tours with licenced tour guides, you can be sure not to miss any important sights on the route, and at the same time, hear many fascinating insights and facts about Venice and its architecture. Rates are fixed and there are many different tours available. Some of the recommended walking tours of Venice are:

• Walking tours of the San Marco area, lasting approximately two hours – daily
• Afternoon walking tour ‘Magic and Enchantment of Venetian Life’, complete with gondola ride – April to October
• ‘Walks Inside Venice’, with several themed tours around the city for small groups
• ‘Private Guides’ in San Marco, with more than 100 knowledgeable English-speaking guides, tours last about two hours
• ‘Venicescapes’ offer several themed itineraries and groups are fairly small. Tours last from three to seven hours and reservations may be necessary
• Walking tour from the Zattere to Piazzale Roma which goes as Zattere · Gesuati · Santa Maria della Visitazione · Squero di San Trovaso · San Trovaso · Ognissanti · San Sebastiano · Angelo Raffaele · San Nicolò dei Mendicoli · Cotonificio Veneziano (former cotton mill) · Santa Teresa · Case Tron · Palazzo Zenobio · Carmini · Scuola Grande dei Carmini · Campo Santa Margherita · Scuola dei Varoteri · Santa Margherita · San Pantalon · 12C bas-relief Church and Scuoletta di San Rocco · Scuola Grande di San Rocco · Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari · Archivio di Stato (State Archives) · San Giovanni Evangelista · Former monastery of the Theatines · San Nicolò da Tolentino · Giardini di Papadopoli · Piazzale Roma
• Walking tour from the Fondamenta Nuove to the Biennale which goes as: Fondamenta Nuove · Palazzo Dona · San Canciano · Santa Maria dei Miracoli · Palazzo Soranzo · Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo · Scuola Grande di San Marco · Santi Giovanni e Paolo · Barbaria delle Tole · Palazzo Morosini · Palazzo Muazzo · Palazzo Gradenigo · Campo Santa Giustina · San Francesco della Vigna · Campo della Celestia · Salizzada and Campo delle Gatte · San Giorgio degli Schiavoni · San Giorgio dei Greci · San Giovanni in Bragora · Campo San Martino · Arsenal · Campo San Biagio · Museo Storico Navale · Via Garibaldi · Giardini Pubblici · Viale Garibaldi · Biennale

Many other tours of the city and surrounding regions are available, providing excellent and informative excursions to places such as Padua, Veneto, Vicenza and the Dolomite Mountains

The Grand Canal is the largest and the best one of all the islands and canals of Venice. Shaped like a backwards letter S, the canal is approximately two miles long. At its widest point, at the Salute/San Marco (southern) end, it is roughly 350 feet wide. The Grand Canal happens to the most expensive area in Venice and the original residents were mostly large scale merchants with large houses and grand decoration. Grand Canal has excellent transport facilities and access to shipping. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings and the noble Venetian families spent exorbitant amounts to show off their richness. Some of the famous palazzos standing along this canal include Palazzi Barbaro, Ca’ Rezzonico, Ca’ d’Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca’ Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.

Until 19th century, only Rialto Bridge crossed the canal but now, there are two more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi and the Ponte dell’Accademia. A popular mode of transport here is the ferry ride across the canal at several points by standing up on the deck of a simple gondola called traghetto. A tour on this canal with a gondola ride allows the tourists to get a glimpse of all the famous buildings which emerge from water without pavement.

The canal is famous for the historical Regatta, a competition between Venetian boats watched by thousands of people from the banks or from floating stands, which is held on the first Sunday of every September. On November 21, Venetians thank the Virgin Mary for saving from the plague epidemic in 1630-38 with a pilgrimage to Santa Maria della Salute. Pilgrims cross Grand Canal on a temporary pontoon bridge from Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo, and enjoy stalls and traditional dishes.

Nice has a population of around 955,000 and is considered to be the fifth most populous city in France. It is an extremely beautiful city which experiences a Mediterranean type of climate. There are several places that must not be missed by the tourists. Below are a few places recommended for the travelers, make sure that you include them in your itinerary.

1. Le Chateau

La Chateau is located on a high hill rock overlooking the eastern part of the Old Town. It gives an amazing view of the entire place. It is well decorated with trees, grass plots and lawns. You may use an elevator or the staircase to reach here.

2. Cours Saleya Flower Market

Cours Saleya Flower Market is located between the Place Massena and the Old Town. It is a pedestrianised street where you will find varieties of flower, exotic vegetables and fresh fruits. It is considered to be one of the best tourist attractions of the city. You may even find small cafes and snack bars.

3. Nice Archaeology Museum and Roman Ruins

This Museum contains artifacts, coins, jewels and sculptures. You may even find ruins of Roman Baths. Basically this place has a lovely collection of roman ruins. Entry to this museum is free.

4. Matisse Museum

This Museum basically displays paintings made by the great artist Henri Matisse. There are around one hundred and sixty-five paintings made by him. This museum opened Matisse in the year 1952 and gives a general view of his entire career.

5. Rue de France Pedestrian Zone

This street is full of small shops. You’ll find clothes, books, magazines, eatables as well as lovely souvenirs. It’s a perfect place for the ones who love to street shop.

6. Promenade des Anglais

Promenade des Anglais is an extremely relaxing place situated on the shore of Mediterranean Sea. The environment is calm and people generally come here to stroll. There are blue chairs that are perfect to spend a lazy day. You may even find seaside snack bars.

Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. A visit to Venice would be incomplete without a visit to some of its famous islands. The top 5 islands of Venice worth a visit are:

Burano:
This is a small island ten kilometres from the city, famous for its artistic handmade lace. Flowers grow in window boxes and small boats dot the canals. You can visit the Lace Museum to find out more about the tradition of lace making. Burano even has a leaning tower on one of its churches. You can get here by Fondamenta Nove, take Vaporetto Line LN to Burano

Lido de Venezia:
This is an exclusive tourist and residential centre located on an island southeast of Venice, 12 minutes by waterbus from San Marco. This island has bathing establishments, the casino, and the cinema palace where the International Film Festival takes place each year.

Murano:
This group of five islands is famous for its glass industry. Here one can visit the Glassworks Museum and the Romanesque church of SS. Maria and Donato. Some glass factories allow visitors or tours and there are many shops selling glass creations and souvenirs. Murano also has canals, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants. You can get to the island by Fondamenta Nove, vaporetto Number 13, 41, 42, or LN to Murano.

San Giorgio Maggiore Island:
This island is beside the Giudecca, opposite the Schiavoni, and is the location of the S. Giorgio Church.

Torcello:
This quiet, little, green island has a seventh-century cathedral, the Romanesque church of S. Fosca. You can also climb the cathedral bell tower and there is a small archeological museum. You can get here by Fondamenta Nove, take Vaporetto Line LN to Burano and transfer to Line T.