Venice-Piazza San Marco

Right down from our hotel about 2 blocks was the Piazza San Marco! Thousands of visitors come here to see two of the city's most important sights-the Basilica and the Palazzo Ducale. These magnificent buildings complement lesser sights,and there are open air orchestras, elegant cafes (that means very expensive :) ) and numerous smart, classy shops. The Piazza was described by Napoleon as the "most elegant drawing room in Europe."

In 828, relics believed to be the body of St. Mark were stolen from Alexandria by two Venetian merchants and taken to Venice, where the Byzantine Theodore of Amasea had previously been the patron saint. A basilica was built there to house the relics.
A mosaic in St Mark's Basilica, Venice depicts sailors covering the relics with a layer of pork. Since Muslims are not allowed to touch pork, this action was done to prevent Muslim intervention in the relics removal.[citation needed]
Copts believe that the head of the saint remained in Alexandria. Every year, on the 30th day of the month of Paopi, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of the consecration of the church of St. Mark, and the appearance of the head of the saint in the city of Alexandria. This takes place inside St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, where the saint's head is preserved. Isn't this the best story ever?

The Palazzo Ducale (Doges' Palace was the official residence of each Venetian ruler (Doge) and was founded in the 9th century. The present day look of the palace owes it appearance to 14th and 15th workmanship. There was a torture room. Interrogations took place in the torture chamber. Suspects were hung by their wrist from a cord in the center of the room. One of the famous person imprisoned here was Casanova!

The following day, at age thirty, Casanova was arrested: “The Tribunal, having taken cognizance of the grave faults committed by G. Casanova primarily in public outrages against the holy religion, their Excellencies have caused him to be arrested and imprisoned under the Leads.”[34] “The Leads” was a prison of seven cells on the top floor of the east wing of the Doge's palace, reserved for prisoners of higher status and political crimes and named for the lead plates covering the palace roof. Without a trial, Casanova was sentenced to five years in the “unescapable” prison.[35] But he escaped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!