Venice
The UNESCO World Heritage property comprises the city of Venice and its lagoon situated in the Veneto Region of Northeast Italy. Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world's greatest artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others. It has no major roads, a few alleys, several squares and lots of canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs
The Doge’s Palace is built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. It was built in 1340 and extended and modified in the following centuries. In 1424 the Doge decided to extend rebuilding works to the wing overlooking the Piazzetta, serving as law-courts, and with a ground floor arcade on the outside, open first-floor loggias running along the façade, and the internal courtyard side of the wing, completed with the construction of the Porta della Carta. The Bridge of Sighs connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.
The Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal, was built in the closing years of the 16th century to replace a wooden pontoon bridge that led to the Rialto financial district of Venice. The bridge served as the only fixed structure crossing the canal until the 1850s; prior to that, pedestrian crossings at other locations were achieved only by gondola ferries. The bridge consists of a single stone-arch span that supports a broad rectangular deck carrying two arcades of shops fronting on three roadways.
Gondola detail
Saint Mark's Basilica
Basilica horses
The Bridge of Sighs where condemned prisoners took their last glimpse of the outside world.
View from a wooden motor launch
Rain means fewer tourists
The Venetian water bus (Vaporetto)
Door detail
Masks - worn at the Carnevale (carnival)
Tourist tat
Happy tourists - until they have to pay!
The typical comb or prow iron (fero da prora or dolfin) helps to balance the weight of the gondolier. Its S form recalls the Grand Canal, while the six teeth facing forward represent the six districts of Venice. The tooth facing backward stands for the Giudecca Isle. The small arch over the highest tooth is the Rialto Bridge. The arched part at the top has a peculiar name, the Doge’s hat.
Coffee break!
A crowded Rialto Bridge due to refurbishment
A busy Grand Canal
View from the Rialto Bridge
Begging on the Rialto Bridge steps
View from the Ponte Dell'Accademia
Venetian flag - the lion of St. Mark and six tails representing the 6 districts of Venice.
Waiting for the Vaporetto
Taking a break
The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Gondola detail
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Typical Venetian scene
Painting for tourists
Painting for tourists
Lunch at the Ponte Dell'Accademia
Kids at play
Tourist junk
View from St. Mark's Square towards the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Doge's Palace detail
St. Todaro (Byzantine St. Theodore) the city's first patron saint and protector.
Winged lion, symbol of St. Mark
Cafe/Restaurant St. Mark's Square
Venetian glassware
Serenading the tourists
Colonnade
Pizza with a smile !
Towards the Bridge of Sighs
Around the non-tourist side streets is very quiet
Umbrella time !
My beautiful wife
Glass blowing factory
Stringing glass beads
Rubbish skip
Telephone box - Italian style
Main Island in the distance
Outbound from Venice Airport
