Travel in Venice City

　　Arts and Events

　　Venice is not only built over water, but celebrates on water too, holding more than 100 regattas every year. February has the famously picturesque Carnevale, its celebrants adorned in wigs and masks. In May the ceremony of "wedding" Venice to the sea takes place, a reminder of its time as head of a maritime empire and trading network. Fireworks explode at July's regatta, the Festa del Redentore; September is the time for an historic gondola race.

　　The Biennale, one of the world's top festivals of modern art is held every second June, and a film festival in August.

　　Permanent attractions abound. At the city center is St. Mark's Square, home to a magnificent church, and close by is the Doge's Palace, the splendid residence of the city's one-time rulers. Gothic and Renaissance palaces and churches embellish the cityscape; galleries are adorned with works by, amongst others, Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Canaletto.