In the glow of light and water, Venice captivates with its unique geography as a city of water. Here, palaces and churches line the waterways, and around 400 bridges span the many canals. Under the open sky, the "most beautiful ballroom in the world," as Napoleon called it, unfolds on Piazza San Marco. The power of the former maritime republic allowed for a unique artistic development: from Byzantine churches to Gothic palace architecture, a Venetian school of painting that celebrated the special magic of light, to the magnificent gold mosaics of the Basilica di San Marco. But it’s not just the artworks of the past that are worth discovering. As one strolls through the labyrinth of Venice's alleys, it is often the everyday sights that enchant. Over 230 photos showcase the wondrous city on the water in its shimmering beauty. Specials report on.