Venice, Italy’s Floating City

By Barbara Aiken

Venice, Italy, an enchanting city, over 1,600 years old, with watery roadways and cobbled narrow streets beckons the adventurer to step into a realm far different from most metropolises. Venice is filled with breathtaking vistas, a plethora of history, an abundance of architectural styles, mouthwatering food, fine wine, and something captivating at every turn. Let’s go!

Venice is known for St. Mark’s Square, picturesque canals, gondolas, majestic bridges, its annual Carnival, Murano glass, Burano fine lace, some of the most magnificent art in the world and, of course, its excellent cuisine. There’s something for everyone in this splendid city.

A small number of people established Venice in 421 AD. They left the Italian mainland and fled to this area of lagoon islands to escape the hordes of barbarians laying waste to their homes. Soon, more people would come and, eventually, build a dazzling city from a base of water and mud.

Over generations, wooden pilings were driven into the mudflats to support wooden buildings. Eventually millions of wooden pilings, mostly of elm, oak, larch and alder, were installed to support buildings of stone. A lack of oxygen in the water prevented rot and over time the wood absorbed minerals causing fossilization. Venice stands on this intricate base today.

The highlights of a foray to Venice are many. A good place to start is at St. Mark’s Square. This 136,000 square foot area holds some of the “must see” sights of Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile or bell tower, and the Correr Museum. This is also where you’ll find Caffé Florian, one of the first places to serve coffee in Europe. Following the footsteps of Charles Dickens and Casanova you may like to recharge here from all your sightseeing.

St. Mark’s Basilica, also known as the Church of Gold, was founded in 828 AD. The basilica is dedicated to St. Mark and holds many of his relics. The golden mosaic work is astonishing in scale and intricacy. The Byzantine and Renaissance architecture of this magnificent church overload the senses with the addition of onion-style domes, Roman arches and Gothic spires. The rooftop has an almost alien quality to it.

The Doge’s Palace is located next to the basilica. This Venetian Gothic structure resembles a pastel confection. Home to the Doge or elected ruler of the Venetian Republic, the building also served as the center of government and courts. You’ll enter the palace from its inner courtyard and ascend the imposing staircase. There are many grand rooms to see as well as paintings by such masters as Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese. 

Don’t miss the dungeon and the Bridge of Sighs. The bridge connects the palace to the jail. It is said that when the accused were led from the palace to the dungeon by way of the Bridge of Sighs, each poor soul would “sigh” looking out to the world from the bridge as it would be their last view outside of the cold, stone walls of the prison.

St. Mark’s Campanile is thought to have been originally built in the 9^th century. Since then it has seen several incarnations: in 1388 it was struck by lightning; in 1403 the top portion burned; it was damaged by an earthquake in 1511; in 1745 it was again hit by lightning; in 1902 it completely collapsed. The 323-foot-tall bell tower matches its height with steps and is the tallest structure in Venice. Thankfully, there is an elevator. The view from its apex is breathtaking and especially dramatic at sunset.

The Correr Museum is a gem. Originally built as a residence, its interior is painted in an Empire style by Giuseppe Borsato. The history of Venice is well laid out among the many rooms of the museum. You’ll be amazed by the statues by Antonio Canova, and marvel at the displays of Venetian culture and ancient art.

There is so much more to see in Venice outside of St. Mark’s Square. Be sure to take a vaporetto (public water bus) on the Grand Canal, see the Rialto Bridge, and stop into a charming cicchetti bar for a tapas-style snack and a glass of house wine. Take a walk among the narrow maze of streets and lose yourself in Venice. If you have time, take a boat to Murano and Burano and visit the Glass Factory and Lace Museum.

I visited for four days in late October and the crowds were winding down. In Spring and Summer the tourists are plentiful and the temperatures hot and humid. Venice will not disappoint. This floating city will overload the senses.

Viaggi sicuri; safe travels!

Barbara enjoys traveling as often as possible and can be reached at [email protected].