| Page Views: 4,580 Last Visit to Venice: March, 2001 | VENICE "Queen of the Adriatic" by Goner - last update: Sep 7, 2004 |
THE CITY OF BRIDGES AND CANALS Some vistors do not enjoy Venice, but Venice is unique, not like anywhere I have ever been.
The first time I visited Venice was a few years ago in August and it was a sweltering 90f. I had tried too many kinds of wine the night before which only increased my discomfort. I wandered over the bridges and through the alleyways hunting for Venetian lace to take back home, and soon I was completely lost. But, that turned into a wonderful experience; I started to envisoned what it must have been when it was a rich and powerful city with richly dressed ladies strolling the bridges, boats bringing the spices and materials from far-a-way lands and what the building must have looked like when they were new and painted in their rich colors with decorated facades. After several hours I found my way back to St. Mark's and enjoyed the cool dark cathedral.
My last visit in 2001 showed me a different Venice. It was cool and it had just rained, the buildings and the air were washed clean. Less tourists (and pigeons) made for a better picture vantage, however, it was cloudy most of the time. There were no lines at the attractions as there were in the month of August.
St. Mark's has been cleaned since my last trip and you can see the architectural features much better, and this time I took a gondola ride. From the gondolas (because they can navigate the small canals) give you a different perspective of Venice. You can get a much closer look at the buildings and how people live in this waterlogged city.
"Venice is not only a city of fantasy and freedom. It is also a city of joy and pleasure."
Peggy Guggenheim |
|  | The History of Gondolas The hand made gondola is rich in history, tradition, and is a long-standing symbol of love and romance. The gondola and its gondoliers have intrigued and charmed romantics throughout the world since the late 15th century when they were introduced in the paintings of Capaccio and Belini.
Soon the elaborately ornamented Baroque style of the 16th century found its way into gondola making. The ironwork at both ends (called a ferro) and the coverings for the passengers (felse) were highly decorated and ornate.
By the mid 17th century a decree was handed down stating that except for gondolas of dignitaries, all gondolas were to be painted black. During this time, the gondola was at the height of its popularity. An estimated 10,000 gondolas were in existence (compared to about 500 today).
By the end of the 19th century, the element of asymmetry had been perfected in gondola making. An asymmetrical gondola allows one gondolier to row continually from one side while maintaining the ability to steer the boat.Today, gondolas are still hand made and a typical gondola maker (called a "squerariolo" in Italian) builds 4-6 boats per year. |
| | A Picture of Venice Venice, Venezia in Italian, is a seaport in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Region. Venice is situated on 120 islands formed by 177 canals in the lagoon between the mouths of the Po and Piave rivers, at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. Because of its historic role as a naval power and commercial center, the city is known as the "Queen of the Adriatic." A railroad and highway causeway connect Venice with the mainland. Long sand bars, or barrier beaches, on the outer side of the lagoon serve as protection against the sea. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges.
The Grand Canal, about 2 miles long, winds through Venice from northwest to southeast, dividing the city into two nearly equal portions. The Giudecca Canal, about about 1310 ft wide, separates Giudecca Island, on the extreme south, from Venice proper. No motor vehicles are permitted on the narrow, winding lanes and streets that penetrate the old city, and the bridges are for pedestrians only. |
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| Pros: | "A one-of-a-kind city with picturesque bridges and canals" | | Cons: | "Too many tourists in the summer" |
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 Comments for Goner about Venice | | | | |
Jerelis Sun Nov 5, 2006 18:58 UTC
Awesome place Venice. Where we had our honeymoon! | js2005 Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:00 UTC
I visited Ristorante all' Angeloon 17/10/05 and was appalled at the service and food .The staff are rude,food was bad I tried to complain to the manager he called the police, who tried to arrest me,the bill was £200 I would NOT recommend it to anyone | JetlagCity Wed Jan 12, 2005 17:09 UTC
Nancy, this is such a wonderful Venice page, it makes me want to go back there right now! Such beautiful color & light you captured in your pic of San Giorgio Maggiore, well done! | Maurizioago Fri Oct 22, 2004 09:51 UTC
I will visit again your Venice pages soon. Now I am in a hurry!!!!! Ciao! You did a good job! Ciao! |
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