Visiting the Rialto Market made me wish I had rented an apartment instead of a hotel room. The produce was aromatic and colorful and the fish was so fresh some of it was still alive. The best part was watching the locals haggle with the fishmongers.
Tag Archives | Italy
Gondola Maker
The best thing about a gondola ride is the close-up views of backyards, like this gondola maker’s.
Scuola Grande dei Carmini
This structure was commissioned by the order of Santa Maria del Carmelo in the late 1600s. At that time, its 75,000-member brotherhood was the largest in Venice. It was also one of the wealthiest, as evidenced by the extravagant stuccoed ceilings, carved ebony paneling and stunning artwork, including nine immense Tiepolo canvases. Campo dei Carmini, […]
Basilica di San Marco
Wow. So this is what everyone comes to see. This is the centerpiece of Piazza San Marco and for good reason. From the glittery mosaics adorning the exterior to the marble floors and 11th- to 15th-century mosaic domes with millions of gilt-glass tiles, this is a show-stopper. Construction began in 828 when Venetian merchants smuggled […]
Masks
Mask-making is yet another centuries-old Venetian trade. The masks are traditionally worn during Carnevale, but are displayed and sold year-round. Venetian masks are characterized by their ornate design and bright colors, use of gold and silver, and baroque styles. The most popular styles are the Bauta (full-face) or the Columbina (eye mask). The Bauta was […]
Venetian Food
Venice is quintessential locavore eating. While Venice is not known for having rave-worthy food, it is known for traditional dishes consisting of seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood. Polenta (Venice’s answer to Southern Italy’s pasta) and Prosecco round out the meals. Venice is also famous for its risotto. The risotto is prepared much more al dente […]
Venetian Boats
Since the center of Venice does not have automobiles, colorful boats docked in the canals are the Venice equivalent of cars parked in front of houses. People climb in and out of them laden with groceries, parcels, fishing gear and anything else they need to go about their day. Traditional boats in Venice are becoming […]
Gondoliers
Every gondola that silently slides through Venice’s water streets is operated by a skilled gondolier. The rowing style, voga alla veneta, which involves standing up and facing forward, is a skill passed through generations. For centuries, no formal training or qualifications were required. Only since 2007 must the gondoliers undergo 400 hours of instruction and […]
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute
This beautiful baroque church is Venice’s gift to the Sainted Mary of Health for sparing the city further devastation after a 1630-31 plague wiped out a third of the city’s population in 18 months. Reportedly, over 100,000 pylons were driven into the mud banks that form Venice’s foundation to support the structure’s immense weight. The […]
Bicycling, Venetian-style
Since Venice’s canals are its roadways, is it surprising that the bicycles look like this?
