The Canals of The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (must see)

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino is a lavish destination combining luxury accommodations with a large-scale casino. The resort occupies the former site of the Sands Hotel and stands as one of the most expansive hospitality complexes in the world. The property also includes a 120,000-square-foot casino.

One of The Venetian’s most distinctive features is its elaborate recreation of the canals of Venice. These waterways, complete with gondolas and bridges, create an immersive Italian atmosphere and have become one of the resort’s defining visual elements. The architectural theme draws directly from Venice, Italy, with detailed replicas of major landmarks including the Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Square, Saint Mark’s Piazzetta, the Lion of Venice Column, the Column of Saint Theodore, Saint Mark’s Bell Tower, and the Rialto Bridge.

The Venetian officially opened in 1999, in a ceremonial celebration featuring white doves, trumpets, and singing gondoliers. Chairman and owner Sheldon G. Adelson was joined by actress Sophia Loren, who helped dedicate the first motorized gondola. Built at a cost of approximately $1.5 billion, the resort was among the most expensive and ambitious hotel projects of its era.

Expansion continued with the opening of the Venezia Tower on June 27, 2003. Designed by architectural firm KlingStubbins, the tower reaches a height of 475 feet. It adds 1,013 rooms to the resort and stands above the parking structure, seamlessly extending The Venetian’s grand scale and architectural presence.