May 26, 2024 - Classic Italy
Walking Venice
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| After the gondola ride, we had the afternoon to ourselves so we headed out to explore Venice. We started off at St. Mark's Square. |
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As you can see, the place was mobbed. And why not? Per Rick Steves (who gives it three stars): "This grand square is surrounded by splashy, historic buildings and sights: St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Campanile bell tower, and the Correr Museum. The square is filled with music, lovers, pigeons, and tourists by day, and is your private rendezvous with the Venetian past laste at night, when Europe's most magnificent dance floor is the romantic place to be."
Straight ahead is the Clock Tower, built during the Renaissance in 1496. It is the entry to the main shopping drag, called the Mercerie, which connects St. Mark's Square with the Rialto Bridge.
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There were not one, but two, bands -- one on each side of the square.
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| St. Mark's Basilica. |
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| We would be touring the Basilica tonight after dinner. |
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The Campanile bell tower.
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| On the square's right are the "old offices" (16th-century Renaissance). On the left are the "new offices" (17th-century High Rennaissance). |
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The Clock Tower close-up. That's a big clock!
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| Rick Steves said the easist way to navigate was by landmarks -- not street names -- so we just headed off into the heart of Venice towards the Rialto Bridge. |
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| A deserted canal, except for the seagull at bottom left. |
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What can you say?
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| This is a photo of the statue of Carlo Goldoni, a famous Venetian playwright and librettist of the 18th century. The statue is located in Campo San Bartolomeo, near the Rialto Bridge. Goldoni is considered one of the most important figures in Italian theater and is known for modernizing the comedy of manners. |
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The oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, it has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173.
The present stone bridge is a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte. Construction began in 1588 and was completed in 1591. Two ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons, and top tourist attractions, in Venice.
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| More of the ubiquitous Venecian gondola boats. |
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Looking southwest from the Rialto Bridge.
Per Rick Steves: "The Grand Canal is Venice's "Main Street". At more than two miles long, nearly 150 feet wide, and nearly 15 feet deep, it's the city's largest canal, lined with its most impressive palaces. ... Venice is a city of palaces, dating from the days when the city was the world's richest. The most lavish palaces formed a grand architectural cancan along the Grand Canal. Once frescoed in reds and blues, with black-and-white borders and gold-leaf trim, they made Venice a city of dazzling color. ... Today strict laws prohibit any changes in these buildings, so while landowners gnash their teeth, we can enjoy Europe's best-preserved medieval city. Many of the grand buildings are now vacant. Others harbor chandeliered elegance agove mossy, empty (often flooded) ground floors."
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We came to this square where a choir was singing (at left). Unfortunately we arrived just as they were singing their last song.
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| ZZZ |
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Winding our way through the narrow streets and canals west of the Grand Canal.
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| Looking at the Rialto Bridge from the west side. |
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| Back in the Campo san Bortolomio. |
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| Back in St. Mark's Square, we passed the Bell Tower. |
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And St. Mark's Basilica.
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Off St. Mark's Square is the Correr Museum -- featuring Venetian history and art -- but I guess we were a little museumed-out after Florence and did not go in.
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| Lynnette and I stopped and had drinks at one of the outdoor cafe's on St. Mark's Square. It's required! |
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A Griffin sits atop a column.
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| Looking south across the water at the San Giorgio Maggiore Church. |
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Passing by the Doge's Palace.
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| Looking east down the waterfront. Our hotel is just to the left of that big crain. |
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