Sign in with Facebook"Powerhouse City" Venice by rexvaughan
Venice Travel Guide: 8,137 reviews and 21,375 photos
Where do you start in Venice? It doesn't really matter because anywhere you look is a magnificent scene. Above is the Santa Maria Della Salute church just across the Grand Canal from the entry to Saint Mark's Square. It is a 17th C salute to the Virgin in gratitude for the end of the plague which claimed 47,000 lives.
For several centuries Venice was a political and economic power due to its maritime location, proximity to Byzantium and the astuteness of its merchants and rulers. It became also a religious center in the 9th C when the purported bones of St. Mark were smuggled out of Egypt and brought here.
The Byzantine influence can be seen in the "onion" domes of St. Marks in the photo. Mark Twain is said to have commented (probably from this angle in the bell tower) that St. Mark's "looks like a warty bug taking a walk."
You can do canal tours or you can just take the vaparetto or water bus. We took it from the train station to San Marco and observed the magnificent houses along the canal, all testifying to the fact that this was once the richest city in the world. As the city slowly sinks and expenses rise I am sure it is a major problem to keep these old buildings in good repair. The one in the photo seems to be undergoing some renovation on the lower floor (I guess you can't say ground floor in Venice. Is it the water floor then?) This is not a large house but notice the intricate statuary among the arches and the beautiful mosaic on the second floor.
Reviews (10)
Pigeon attack!
Tourist Traps
(1)
I guess whether you view this as a tourist trap or an attraction depends on your taste and viewpoint. At any rate there... more travel advice
The Power House
Things to Do
(5)
If you doubt the wealth and power of the Venetian empire a visit to the Doge's Palace will dispell it hastily. In the... more travel advice
A multitude of mosaics
Things to Do
(5)
So many things fascinate visitors and grab their attention at St. Mark's but one can hardly miss the thousands of square... more travel advice
Nice trinkets
Shopping
(1)
We are not really shoppers, but everyone should at least walk through the maze of shops on the Rialto. I think you can... more travel advice
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Comments (9)
Nice page, Rex! So many sights to take in and enjoy. Hope to be there for a few days in May, and hope it doesn't flood!
"You are in the presence of might and riches!" Yes, that's a feeling we can still get today, even though Venice is now somewhat less mighty and rich than in earlier times. Glad you had a good visit there.
I like your approach to Venice. Very well balanced, thank you
A personable look at Venice. Enjoyed the story of the southern family and the rain. Thanks for making my memories of Venice more vivid. It's only been two years since we were there, but the experience was delightful.
I went to Venice when I was only eleven years old but I remember it very well.
All roads lead to St. Marks eventually. Ahh, to be lost in Venice again. All the startling & lovely sites ;-)
Thank you for beautiful page on a city I want to discover and visit again and again.
Another great page, Rex! And Venice was another blip on my Globus tour so I've vowed to return since then-will I be able to fulfill this dream? Hope so. As for the pigeon gifts I would rather get rid of mine right away if that's ok with you. :)
I love Venice, and you made a wonderful page. Thanks.