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 he concept for the great Ionic cloister in the monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore probably dates back to an overall plan drawn up in the early 1560s, at the time of the building campaigns on the refectory and church. San Giorgio is one of the most impressive Venetian buildings by Andrea Palladio. First stone was laid down in the 1566, when Palladio had already projected the facade of San Francesco della Vigna, Zitelle and Redentore, but the construction of this building was brought to a conclusion after his death by Simon Sorella.
The church of San Giorgio Maggiore lies on its own island just across the Canale de San Marco from St Mark's square. There has been a monastery here since 982, although the current buildings date from the 16th century. Its campanile provides superb views over Venice, as well as into its own courtyards.
In the early 16th century, the church of San Giorgio Maggiore appeared as a 14th century building, with three aisles, enclosed by old and low buildings. Since the renovation of the buildings corresponded to a spiritual resurrection, the "caseggiati del canton", were demolished, so that room could be made for the Palladian complex that was to be built later. At the end of the 15th century, an architect from Lugano, Giovanni Buora, built a stately and imposing dormitory which occupies a large part of the island, and faces St. Mark's Basin. From 1517 to 1526, his son, Andrea, reconstructed the so-called "cloister of the laurels", which contains the chapter hall. The plans for the new church were presented by Andrea Palladio on November 25, 1565. On the third of March, the following year, the first stone was laid. The work, however, wasn't completed until 1610, thirty years after Palladio's death with the construction of the façade begun by Simone Sorella.
It sounds too good to be true: a world-class city that has no motor vehicles on its streets. The vehicles are all on the canals, and standing on a bridge watching them zip underneath beats standing on a freeway overpass any day.
Venice is built on 117 small islands, and has some 150 canals and 409 bridges (only three of which cross the Grand Canal). The historic centre is divided into six sestieri (quarters): San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello. It covers a deceptively small area (7.6 sq km/3 sq mi)
How to reach there:
At airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport,Venice, Airport code:VCE, is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city (travel time - 20 minutes) has good airport facilities. Buses and taxi services run to Piazzale Roma and the railway station. Water taxis operate to San Marco.
You can reach Venice by train - station Venezia S. Lucia - then take boat "vaporetto" Linea 82 (every 10 minutes) direction Piazzale Roma-San Zacccaria.
From San Zaccaria to "San Giorgio" it is one stop (3 min). A ticket will cost 3 EUR.
Worldroom: Venice City Guide
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