Day 15 – Tuesday August 24th

Today was our Basilica and Murano day. We got up early in hopes that we could beat out the crowds from the Cruise Ships at Piazza San Marco so we wouldn’t have to wait for hours to get into Palazzo Ducale or Basilica di San Marco. Allyson waited in line for the Basilica while Denise and I went into Doge’s Palace or Palazzo Ducale.


It was beautiful and was the official resident of the 120 doges who ruled Venice from 697-1797. We saw Scala d’Oro or the sumptuous Golden Staircase with stucco 24-carat gold leaf framing frescoes up to the 2^nd floor – designed by Sansovino and finished by Scarpagnino in 1559.We also saw Sala dello Scudo – or enormous globes and painted wall maps showing the known world in 1762 tracing Marco Polo’s travels to China and the mythical Uncharted Lands of the People Eaters. We also saw Doge’s Apartments furnished with rich brocades, impressive fireplaces, triumphal friezes, gilded ceilings and works of art. After reveling at the huge piazzetta and the quayside, done in pink and cream stonework and the large loggia with an arcade of columns and 36 sculpted Istrian stone capitals, Denise and I headed to meet Allyson in the line for the Basilica.

We got in right away. I had to pay 2 euro for a shawl for my shoulders and my knees. We walked in and just to the right is Pala d’Oro – the dazzling jewel encrusted gold screen commissioned in Constantinople in 976 but added to at later dates. It boasts 250 panels bearing 1,927 authentic gems and cloisonné plaques. The lighting made it hard to see, but it was glitzy and shone beautifully. We went into the treasury where the glittering riches are kept including precious chalices of rock and crystal enameled by medieval silver and goldsmiths and reliquaries from Venice’s eastern conquests including parts of the true cross. The flooring is a magnificent array of mosaic multi-colored stone on uneven levels in geometric designs. When looking up you can see the Ascension Dome depicting the New Testament.

After the basilica we walked due east along the river front out into Castello to San Pietro di Castello church and plaza. There are two ways onto the little island and this eastern area is more quaint and cute than other parts of Venice. We believe that more of the Venetians live out on these parts, its much quieter and more lived in, not as touristy. We walked through Giardini San Isepo and grabbed a quick bite to eat on the waterfront. We wanted gnocchi but they were only serving it to the workers who were doing construction so we ended up splitting grilled eggplant, zucchini and peppers, caprese salad, and 2 pasta dishes – one spicy spaghetti with Adriatic shrimp and another one.

We then caught the boat at Giardini station and headed east then north around Venice to the island of Murano – home of Murano glass.
We were there for a short time, after we saw glass blowing demo and bought some beautiful glasses, we went back to the mainland and relaxed before dinner.