St. Mark's and Around

After thunderbolts and lightning (very, very frightening) during the night, I woke up to a cloudy morning. We all got dressed and prepared for a breakfast hunt. Honestly, I was prepared for the worst, but we found a nice bakery nearby and each us us picked out a croissant. Mine was powdered sugar on top of a lemon-cream filled pastry. Yum.

Breakfast!

We wandered through narrow streets, following the tourists once again towards St. Mark's Square. On the road that we came in, there was a cool sundial/zodiac thing that was royal blue and gold.

cool sundial

Today, St. Mark's square was cold and grey, but still infinitely cool and awesome. 

We decided to go into the Doge's Palace today, which was gorgeous. There were no pictures allowed on the inside (though I assure you that it was very gold, a bit gaudy, and very baroque) but I took pictures in the courtyard, though because it's technically 'outside.' The courtyard had both Roman and gothic arches, as the Palace had been added onto many times. 

The courtyard and the dome of the Basilica through a Roman-styled arch

more of the courtyard

On either side of the staircase you would walk up to greet the Doge stand the statues of Mars and Neptune, to signify Venice's power over the seas (you can't walk up it anymore).

Bellow was the only picture I have from inside because I was on a balcony. 

In the courtyard was a letterbox where citizens could post complaints (below) and tell of the horrible thing that their neighbors had done even if they weren't true.

To go into the Palace, you must walk up a staircase that is very, very, very gold and shiny.

Going to the prison of the Palace, we walked on Venice's famous Bridge of Sighs where prisoners would get their likely last look at the city. The prison itself was expansive. Ancient graffiti was carved into the walls of the cramped, dank cells and tiny cell doors went on forever it seems.

View from the Bridge of Sighs

But, onto happier things- we then had lunch. I had a delicious toasted rollup.

lunch

We then visited St. Mark's Basilica, where St. Mark's remains (said to have reappeared after a fire) are said to reside. There were no pictures allowed inside, but it was quite cool. Mosaics from the Renaissance and the Middle Ages are right next to each to each other. And, once again, everything was very gold. The Pictures bellow are from the outdoor entrance hall.

I also saw this ->in St. Mark's Square.

Nobody listens to that!^

Feeding the pigeons Griffin's gelato cone

On a completely different subject, we saw some awesome glass figures. Just look at the scene bellow. Every single one of those figures is less than an inch tall!

So cool

A better view of The Rialto Bridge

You know how I said the the roads in Venice are narrow? Well, look at this street. The buildings lean towards each other as if they are people whispering to one another. Sean is in the picture for scale.

That's all for Venice day two! Until next time,
ciao!
-Hailey