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ven1.jpg Carnival time. The city turns into theatre |
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I think that Venice is the
world's most romantic city. Before I went there, I had imagined that Venice was inland,
and that fresh water ran in its canals. But of course it is on the sea (in a lagoon), and
the criss-crossing canals are full of seawater. So, Venice is a set of islands interconnected by bridges. No cars are allowed in the city (they park on "car park island"), so everything that moves is taken by foot or in boats. Boats for building works, boats for commuters, boats for garbage collection and boats for funerals. When you arrive at Venice airport, you go out of the building into a boat, to be taken across the lagoon into the city. We did this at night. Very eerie. Venice is romantic even in summer when it is packed with tourists and the canals stink. In winter it is as cold as London, damp and romantic. As Carnival time approaches (before Lent), the city gradually is transformed into a masked ball, which anyone can participate in. During Carnival week the place fills up with people and the hotel prices (expensive in the first place) double. But it's all worth it. Venice is wonderful because of its human scale and the effect of its architecture. Palaces sitting directly on the water; stone, with foundations which are wooden piles in the mud. St Mark's Square with its famously expensive cafes; St Mark's Basilica - with an eastern feel for someone from the west. Gondolas and gondoliers. Canals, bridges, squares. Venice. Venice's sundials are inscribed with the words Horas non numero nisi serenas - I count none but the shining hours. |
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ven3.jpg Crossing the canal, on their way to work |
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ven5.jpg Who are these figures, crossing the Grand Canal? |
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ven7.jpg Everything has to be moved by boat |
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ven2.jpg A canal scene |
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ven4.jpg The city sits in the
sea. |
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ven6.jpg There are many wells
like this one. |
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ven8.jpg The Rialto Bridge Venice photo |