Venice
Venice
photo: mytravellinglens.com The views in Vencie remain with you long after you leave.
More on Venice
Venice
Covering some 117 islands of the Benetian Lagoon, there is no place like Venice anywhere else you will travel in Italy.
When I was reading the novel The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt, the following few lines brought back some of my impressions of Venice:
"Having spent more than a week there in November 2004, I can attest to the rude mobs that jam the narrow streets, to the ludicrous pigeon-feeding frenzy in St. Mark's Square, to the endless rows of shops peddling cheesy masks and other overpriced junk, to mediocre food, also overpriced, and to the world's most expensive (and worst) martini, at the stupendously overrated Harry's Bar." But that being said, we returned in 2010 and again in 2016. Love Venice.
More than 50,000 tourists a day visit Venice, so be ready for crowds, and some of the not-so-pleasant experiences of traveling, but do visit Venice.
Yes this is a city over-run with tourists in all but the off season, if there is one, but is is a place you just have to experience. Some references to Venice say that this is a city that seduces, this is a city that irritates but it is definitely a city that will impress you.
There are six districts: Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Marco and Castello.
We were last in Venice in 2010. What has changed? The biggest change is there was a lot more tourists in the city! I remembered how busy the city was during the day, but the intensity of tourists was so much higher.
Renting an Apartment in Venice
On our last two visits we have rented an apartment in the San Marco area of Venice. Located not far from the Ponte dell'Accademia - one of only four bridges to span the Grand Canal in Venice - the apartment is well positioned. The entrance is off the Calle Vitturi o Falier and the apartment sits right on the quiet Rio del Duca canal. A door opens from the the table onto the canal. On our last trip we opened,the doors for access to the canal. This year, renovations on the building prevented that option. The apartment is part of the Palazzo Falier which was originally built in the 15th century. We did have a chance to walk through the Palazzo and the rooms were impressive. The apartment is listed on multiple rental sites, and the name changes from time to time. The rental information on Home Away can be found with this link.
We highly recommend staying in an apartment. Greater comfort and the experience of shopping for your food and cooking your means makes you feel like you are part of the city. Yes, we did go out for some meals but who needs to eat in a restaurant three meals a day!
In the next column, click on thumbnail for larger image.
Piazza San Marco
St Mark's Square is the centre of Venice. This is the the drawing room of Europe and the only square named a piazza in Venice. All others are called campi. Here is where you go to get your shots feeding the famous pigeons of Venice.
Fondaco dei Turchi
Travel along the Grand Canal and there are numerous "fondaco" houses that date from the 13th to 18th Century. These were the houses of the rich merchants of Venice.
The houses were a combination of wharehouse and residence for the merchant.
From the canal the boats would have access to gounder the portico to unload. At this level, behind the portico would be storerooms. Typically at the back would be a courtyard.
Up above the canal on the first floor there is also a portico and this would let light into the merchant's room. The fondaco typically had a defense tower at each end. You can see on on the right in the photo above.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
The scula di San Rocco dates back to 1478. We visited this school and remember being just overtaken with the artwork inside the building. There are two halls, one on each of the floors. The exterior of the building was started in 1515 and finished in 1549. The brotherhoods, or schools, were like guilds. This was no art club. There was strong religious aspedts and the members formed penance through self-flagellation. Sculoa Grande refers to the fact that this is one of the largest. There are seven different Suole Grandi and numerous Suole Minori.
The Doge's Palace
The Palazzo Ducale, is one of the most photographed buildings in Venice. A gothic palace, the building that stands today was primarily built between 1309 to 1424. This was the residence of the Doge and contained the offices of various institutions. The first floor held offices for lawyers, the Chancellery; the Censors and the Naval Offices. The second floor held the Grand Council chamber, the Ballot chamber and the Doge's apartments. The third floor has the impressive Sala del Collegio which is covered with with paintings. At the rear is the Bridge of Sighs - the small bridge that connects to the prison across a small canal. All a very interesting tour. Walk the town, enjoy the sights. Buy a day pass on the water bus system and you can ride to your hearts content seeing much.
photo: mytravellinglens.com - Doge's Palace in Venice, in the morning, before the crowds emerge, this is a magical place.
photo: mytravellinglens.com - The Rialto Bridge in Venice.
Rialto Bridge
There are four bridges that cross the Grand Canal, and this is the one with stunning architecture. The Rialto Market meant people had to get across the canal. The first bridge was a floating bridge. That was replacxed with a wood bridge in 1255.
The stone bridge that stands today was finished in 1591. There are two series of shops, one on each side.
Travel Journal - Italy
@ 2023 GLENN MARCUS