Venice

Did you know that Venice is fish-shaped? A city - island surrounded by waters of the Adriatic Sea and many small islands, as well as an artificially created bulwark that protects against wave damage. Although a long bridge connects Venice with Italy, we took the boat "Barracuda" to see the picturesque Venetian coast.The boat floated on the Canale Della Giudeccaand Saint Mark`s Square caught the eye -the most famous and almost the only square in Venice.

Of course my attention was attracted by the luxurious doge castle where the statesmen of Venice used to live. Yes, yes, Venice used to be a sovereign state. The symbol of Venice is a winged lion seen in many ornamentations of the buildings. In the emblem the main doge is kneeling in front of a lion, showing that the power belongs to Venetians, that is, the people.

 

In St. Mark's Square is full with tourists and pigeons which are fed with corn grains. Commercialization here runs high, from numerous cafes, souvenir shops, famous brand shops (Gucci, Armani, Lacoste, etc.) to corn bags for pigeons that cost 1 Euro.

In St. Mark's Square an orchestra is performing. The melody can be barely heard because of the hustle and bustle. There is also the oldest cafe in Europe "Florian".

Even though the heat in August here is unbearable, there are puddles on the square. A guide that introduces herself as a Venetian to the bone, tells that this is nothing because in winter time in the square one must wade through it with water to the ankles or knees. I immediately remember everything I`ve heard in many newspapers and TV that Venice is drowning and that maybe the next generations won`t have a change to see it. Is that true? - Yes, it does drown, each century 12 houses go under the water - the guide explains enthusiastically as if she would be proud of this fact and not sad about the death of her native city. No one lives in the first floors anymore because they are flooded. They are used for keeping the boats or store different things.

The city canals are the streets of Venice with all the necessary road signs. Driving with a gondola, I noticed a "brick", aha, obviously you can`t drive there. The gondoliers masterly con the boat with a single paddle, literally just a few inches away from the walls of the houses and other, oncoming gondolas. On each turn they shout a couple of times to warn others and avoid crashing. There are mirrors placed in the turns for more safety.

It`s a big problem to walk quickly through Venice on foot because of the labyrinth-like narrow streets and many tourists. The traffic is organized just like in other European countries on the left but many tourists do not know that or ignore this provision. Some streets are almost as wide as one man`s shoulder-width (see picture below). By the way, the houses are not enumerated. I can`t even imagine how the postmen deliver correspondence in this town!

Everything happens basically on the water. The high prices in this town can be justified by the fact that all the goods and products are imported by ships and boats. Also different services, police, ambulance, taxi drivers drive motorboats. This is how a Venetian police department looks like (see picture below).

The largest canal, which crosses the city, is the Canal Grande (5 m deep).Above it is the famous traders` bridge where the wooden market stores are in business even nowadays.

Among the many souvenirs are, of course, the indispensable bright masks and ladies` fans. The carnival season in Venice is in February when every self-respecting Venetian wears bright clothes and a mask. The selection of masks is amazing both because of the way they look and the materials, as well as the prices.

Venetians in all times have equally strict upheld both the Christian and hedonic traditions. Venetians are proud of both the St. Mark`s Temple and the house of the famous Venetian courtesan Veronika. About the latter one a film was made by Marshall Herskovitz (I recommend watching) - HONEST COURTESAN (1997, USA).

In St. A woman can`t come into Mark`s Temple with uncovered shoulders and legs. Sanctity is strictly protected there - the ashes of Mark, which were stolen and taken to Venice in a cart with pork to hide from the Muslims. The building is really grand, with gilded ceilings, sacred images and scenes from the Bible.

In the next object of interest, which is also dedicated to Mark, everyone who has 6 EUROS can get in. With a modern lift we drove up the St. Mark`s tower and looked at Venice from the top.

It was a full hour and the big bell woke up ominously swaying over our heads and rumbling over Venice.

It is true that you either fall in love with Venice or don`t accept it at all. I think that the first one happened to me. About the stereotypes - the water there does not stink in summer at all and it is possible to arrange a good price with the gondolier if you give him a warm smile, and also you can get a delicious meal in a Venetian restaurant.

Getting on the boat on the way home, when the Sun was rising behind the ancient buildings of Venice, nostalgia took over and I thought - I will return here one day and, distancing from the rush and hustle and bustle of people, I will get to know this city better.

More from Venice in the picture gallery: