A walk downtown - Venice.

[duna]

OK here we are guys... I received a request for some shots of Venice. I live in the mainland but after dinner I took a 5 Km detour in order to have some 'fresh' pictures from downtown.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=3&userid=3520

Visit the gallery in order to have a look. Of course, after work, and after dinner (I had an appointment with some friends) it was pitch black and this put a lot of strain to my Nikon Coolpix. Here you are, some excellent examples to AVOID in order to take pictures... ugly images of beautiful places. At least they are very 'fresh' and ... directly from the horse's mouth...

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7924

OK that's a typical Venetian canale (channel). In the background the palace is an hotel or something.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7925

That's the renowned gate of the Istituto di Architettura, by the late Carlo Scarpa. Famous and much debated example of modern art in Venice, now a landmark.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7926

This magniloquent palace (with pendant Basilica on the right in the same style) is Scuola di San Rocco, one of the famous Venetian Scholae. You can visit the magnificent pinacoteca inside. Lots of Canaletto, Guardi and other Venetian painters.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7927
The Palace on the left is an example of Byzantine architecture near Rialto (Venetiae quasi alterum Bisantium, Venice is almost another Byzantium). Some example survived the renovation of the Gothic period.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7928
Riato's Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), a wonder of the Reinassance. Considered impossible at the time, still standing and the most used bridge of Venice.

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7932
A particular of the apex of Rialto's Bridge. The bridge is full of real shops, mostly for tourist, and from the very beginning this was planned in order to pay the construction costs.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7933
Columns of the Ducal Palace. It's a wonder, in white and rose marble, with unbelievably interiors, and giant paintings that cannot fit any wall in any other palace in Venice. Designed to be on canvas or wood in order to be movable, despite the dimensions, to save them in the infortunate event of another fire like the one that destroyed the famous frescoes of the ancient palace. This palace is from the XIII century onward (enlarged 200 years later in the same particular Gothic style, Gotico Fiorito Invertito - Inverted Floreal Gothic. ). In the famous book The Stones of Venice you can read an excellent and lenghty treatise on those very columns.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7934
That's a main window in the 'new' part of the Palace, from the XIV century IIRC. It's almost a copy of the 'old' one that looks on the Basin (the Lagoon). This looks at the Square (Piazza San Marco, the only proper Square in Venice, other lesser squares are named Campi or Campielli ). Roads are named Calli, but you cannot run there by bike or car, only by feet. Bikes are forbidden.

[OldSaw]

Very nice pics. Thanks for posting them. I see not much has changed since I was there 21 years ago while in the US Navy. We spent two weeks pier side in the main canal just a short walk from Piazza San Marco. I have pictures of my ship that I took from the tower in the square.

We had an unfortunate mishap entering the main canal when we struck a sand bar and damaged our sonar domes. We had to stay in Venice for two weeks.:biggrin: So while unfortunate for the Captain, the rest of us had a wonderful time. After inspecting the damage they decided we had to go to Trieste to perform the needed work. Wouldn't you know we had to spend another two weeks there as well.:biggrin: I got some good skiing in while there via a short train ride to the mountains.

My most recent trip to Italy did not include a stop in Venice.:frown:

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7944
Libreria Marciana. Contains the famous Greek Codes of Cardinal Bessarione, which he took directly from the falling Byzantium. Many important works of the Greek Antiquity are known (or better known) to mankind thank to this man. It's under a much needed restoration.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7943
Riva degli Schiavoni . The church in background is Santa Maria delle Grazie. The famous Baroque composer Vivaldi (author of the Four Season) was the priest of that very church.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7942
Ponte dei Sospiri ( Bridge of Sighs) . That's the same bridge that's framed in many videos of the famed wetshaver Mantic, on the wall. On the left, the Doge's Palace. On the right, the Prisons. From the hall of the High Council a small door leads to the Tribunal of the Council of the Ten: no more that 15 passes. After the tribunal, you are on this bridge, and from there in the cavernous and famed prisons of Venice, the Piombi (The Leads). From the stars and golds of the government to the darkness of the safest jail in the entire world in less than a single minute. Only one people managed to escape from The Leads in their long long history, famous adventurer Giacomo Casanova.
The bridge is totally enclosed: from the inside it seems a strange sort of pedestrian tunnel with odd square windows.
It's made in a very nice (it's still close to the Doge's Palace) but extremely sober style reminiscent of Tosco Militare style (Tuscan Military, a simplified Doric style) in anticipation of the rigors to come. Venetians had a special taste for 'dimostrative penalties', and fast justice. Expecially fast for powerful noble people, to avoid the formation of monarchies or too strong lobbies inside the State. Casanova was jailed by the State's Inquisition, sentenced to five years in the Leads, and had absolutely no clue of the accusation, the trial or the sentence (!!).

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7940
Tha same bridge. Note the nice 'security' on the windows. From the outside it's an elegant decoration, from the inside it's an unbreakable stone barrier.

[duna]

We had an unfortunate mishap entering the main canal when we struck a sand bar and damaged our sonar domes. We had to stay in Venice for two weeks.:biggrin: So while unfortunate for the Captain, the rest of us had a wonderful time. After inspecting the damage they decided we had to go to Trieste to perform the needed work. Wouldn't you know we had to spend another two weeks there as well.:biggrin: I got some good skiing in while there via a short train ride to the mountains.

It's common in Venice, expecially for warships. Once after WWII they tried to put there a carrier but obviously she grounded and to pull her out was a hell of a work.
Once (in the eighties) a new Sauro class italian submarine tried to enter without assistance and grounded in the Basin (it's very dangerous for submarines, they capsize when grounded). Tugs managed to set free the submarine before the catastrophe... Often warships are very manouvrable at speed, but at very low speed they are a nightmare.
Probably you worked out your sonar's problems in Monfalcone, near Trieste... I cannot imagine where in Trieste you can repair a cruiser or a destroyer.

[Jim]

Thank you for the amazing shots Duna, My last trip to your part of the world was in 96' but it will not be my last. :thumbup1:

[guenron]

Lovely! I was last there in 1977. I stayed in Mestre (Terra Firma) and commuted to Venice on the vapore daily. What a lovely city. I remember wonderful dining and meals at the beach-side restaurants on the Lido. The magnificent horse sculptures at the Church on the Piazza. What a lovely city! But I repeat myself... Thanks for the photos that bring back so many wonderful memories..

[OldSaw]

It's common in Venice, expecially for warships. Once after WWII they tried to put there a carrier but obviously she grounded and to pull her out was a hell of a work.
Once (in the eighties) a new Sauro class italian submarine tried to enter without assistance and grounded in the Basin (it's very dangerous for submarines, they capsize when grounded). Tugs managed to set free the submarine before the catastrophe... Often warships are very manouvrable at speed, but at very low speed they are a nightmare.
Probably you worked out your sonar's problems in Monfalcone, near Trieste... I cannot imagine where in Trieste you can repair a cruiser or a destroyer.

I was there during Carnival e (sp?). I remember it snowed one day. I don't know the name of the port in Trieste, I just know we went there and they cut off the sonar domes. We then had to go to the Gulf of Sydra blind. Thankfully, I don't think Qaddafi had any submarines. The new sonar domes were not installed until after we returned to the states.

If you were thinking dry dock, we did not use one. It was all under water work done by Navy divers. The clearance in Venice was not enough to safely do the work, so they rigged cargo nets and cables around the domes to hold them on for the trip to Trieste.

In Trieste I and another fellow were able to walk to the train station in about 20 minutes, I think. From there we traveled to the mountains for a weekend of skiing. We found a very helpful travel agent in Trieste who made all the arrangements and all we had to do was follow the schedule she made for us.

[paydepst]

Great photos! Thoroughly enjoyed both photos and reading your thoughtful commentary. The wife and I usually only travel to the UK because of our connections there but she has been wanting to venture further afield on one of our future trips. Perhaps if all works out we shall.

[duna]

I was there during Carnival e (sp?). I remember it snowed one day. I don't know the name of the port in Trieste, I just know we went there and they cut off the sonar domes. We then had to go to the Gulf of Sydra blind. Thankfully, I don't think Qaddafi had any submarines. The new sonar domes were not installed until after we returned to the states.

Ah, that's logic... BTW the correct spelling is ' CARNEVALE ' . It's a giant event that draws tourists from all the continents. And snow is not unknown, in winter. Venice has an incredible aspect under the snow.



If you were thinking dry dock, we did not use one. It was all under water work done by Navy divers. The clearance in Venice was not enough to safely do the work, so they rigged cargo nets and cables around the domes to hold them on for the trip to Trieste.

interesting.



In Trieste I and another fellow were able to walk to the train station in about 20 minutes, I think. From there we traveled to the mountains for a weekend of skiing. We found a very helpful travel agent in Trieste who made all the arrangements and all we had to do was follow the schedule she made for us.

Nice, nice. Winter in the Alps is magnificent, and skiing there is great. There are comprensories (stack of different snow tracks linked together) up to 30 Km wide. Probably they sent you to Piancavallo or Sella Nevea in Friuli region, which are not very big but really nice.

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7945
The official entrance to the Doge's Palace. Behind this door, there is the marvellous Giant's Ladder, one of the wonders of Venice, made to impress royal visitors and their ambassadors.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7946
The Procuratie Vecchie, or Old House of Procurators (??) . In this huge palace and in the other one on the other side of St.Mark Square, the Doge's bureocracy administered the State.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7947
St.Mark Basilica. Byzantine style marvel of the 9th century. That's the single most important church in Venice. St. Mark the Evangelist is buried there. The internal walls and cupolas are entirely covered with original Byzantine golden mosaics, laid out by Greek masters, and maintained up to now. Under the church there is a marvellous Crypt (non-visitable) under water level, always submerged for centuries. Recently drained by extensive use of a special water resistant polymer by Rhoune-Poulenc.

[duna]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7948
San Zulian Church and Campo (Church and Square of St. Julian). Very impressive little square, full of charme. Cartier shop.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7949
Some roofs in Rialto's market.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7950
Impressive porch in Rialto. In the far background, the Tribunal, one of the worst public office in Venice, crowded and decadent.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=7952
a wonderful ancient 'porta d'acqua' (literally, water gate) . The main gate of ancient palaces opened to the channel, not to the road, because everybody important came by boat.

[Ernie]

Very nice, kudos to you.

[flippantfig]

Quite excited now! Going back to Italy for more teaching in September, and this time its near Venice! :biggrin:

Got lots to look forward too it seems.

[analog_kid]

Simply amazing. Thanks for the pics!

[duna]

Many thanks to everybody for looking at those horrible pictures of marvellous places. I really appreciated your kind replies. Next time will be in daylight...

[Thomas]

I was told by a friend that Venice is a wonderful city. Now I can put pictures to the city she fell in love with. Thank you!

[Dennis]

Thank you for taking the time to do this and post the pictures Duna. Venice is a gorgeous city. I very much would like to visit it someday.

Dennis

[Mr-Scruffy]

Thanks for the pictures.

I will be taking a Globus Italy tour in November and I am curious as to what the Italian cities look like.

[Markus]

nice, thanks for the pics :thumbup1:

[duna]

Thanks for the pictures.

I will be taking a Globus Italy tour in November and I am curious as to what the Italian cities look like.

If you will visit famous artistic cities (citta' d'arte in italian) like Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Bologna, Naples and so on , you'll find plenty of monumental churces, palaces, squares and museums. Even industrial towns like Milan or Turin have aboundant artistic treasures. In Venice alone there are some 40 museums and 366 churches. There's plenty of magnificent, unbelievably small ancient towns, the like of Gubbio, Vicenza, Urbino, Orvieto, Caserta, full of unexpected (and often neglected) gems ... I'm afraid but if architectural and artistic places doesn't pleases you, you'll be bored in Italy. :crying: Italy CAN be boring... Try to be exalted after the 15th museum in 7 days...
You can still appreciate the famous cuisines (any town in Italy has unique recipes and wines and cheeses)...
Magnificent shops and the like can be found anywhere in the world. But some marvels in Italy are really unique. The only problem , you need an entire day only to visit , say, the Royal Villa of Caserta (where Lucas filmed recently the Royal Palace scenes for Episode II and III of SW) near Naples. Pisa is an almost unimpressive town but here there is the Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle's Square), the most magnificent square in Italy. Examples are in the hundreds. And there are horrible places, too, often very close to magnificent or neglected buildings...

[Mr-Scruffy]

Thanks for the info. I anticipate getting tired of the museums. But my wife and I will probably try to see as many churches as we can. According to the itinerary we have one or two days free. The other days are time constrained. I do not know how many churches we will actually see. I have been reading at a number of sites about the huge numbers of pickpocketers. We usually are very aware of those things coming from New York.

[duna]

Thanks for the info. I anticipate getting tired of the museums. But my wife and I will probably try to see as many churches as we can. According to the itinerary we have one or two days free. The other days are time constrained. I do not know how many churches we will actually see. I have been reading at a number of sites about the huge numbers of pickpocketers. We usually are very aware of those things coming from New York.

heh you already know too well how to deal with a crowded town :wink:
Pickpocketers are a nuisance since antiquity, in Italy, but they are a common sight in every big city in Europe, nowaday. :frown:
Be expecially watchful in Naples: the fantasy of the locals in exploiting strangers and Neapolitans (yes) alike is astounding. Friends from there always have a list of anecdotes... learned the hard way :eek: Also, if you have free time in Venice, avoid at all costs offerings of nice gondola tours by everybody, expecially supposed gondoliers in the street, they can smell your dollars and the colour of the best credit card in your wallet by a 100 ft distance. Real gondoliers simply wait in the stazi (nice official octagonal wooden gazebos) for the victims to came, they hardly try to attract you. A gondola tour is unforgettable, expecially when you pay for it... simply forget it.
If you can, and you like churches, visit Ravenna. San_Vitale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Vitale)'s interior is an almost unbelievable giant mosaic (VI century) and after 1450 years the colours are still vivid and incredible (mosaic does not shades with time like paintings and frescoes do). If you visit Rome, absolutely don't miss the Pantheon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon%2C_Rome) , still the biggest unreinforced concrete dome in history at 142 ft. I stared at the dome and at the disturbing 'oculus' in the middle for one hour the first time I saw it. Simple and impressive roman buildings like these will please your memory for your life.

[Furex]

Hmmmm are we the only two posting from Italy ?

If so, it would be funny because we also post from the same place :eek: :cool:

[duna]

Hi Furex, nice to read about... your town :rolleyes:
I've spotted in the past some other italian in this forum, and at least one of them was not from Venice :smile: - user Kairen in fact is from Padua IIRC.

[Kairen]

Hi Furex
As Sandro said i'm from Padua

[Furex]

Hello Kairen!

nice to meet you too :thumbup1:

[Mr-Scruffy]

heh you already know too well how to deal with a crowded town :wink:
Pickpocketers are a nuisance since antiquity, in Italy, but they are a common sight in every big city in Europe, nowaday. :frown:
Be expecially watchful in Naples: the fantasy of the locals in exploiting strangers and Neapolitans (yes) alike is astounding. Friends from there always have a list of anecdotes... learned the hard way :eek: Also, if you have free time in Venice, avoid at all costs offerings of nice gondola tours by everybody, expecially supposed gondoliers in the street, they can smell your dollars and the colour of the best credit card in your wallet by a 100 ft distance. Real gondoliers simply wait in the stazi (nice official octagonal wooden gazebos) for the victims to came, they hardly try to attract you. A gondola tour is unforgettable, expecially when you pay for it... simply forget it.
If you can, and you like churches, visit Ravenna. San_Vitale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Vitale)'s interior is an almost unbelievable giant mosaic (VI century) and after 1450 years the colours are still vivid and incredible (mosaic does not shades with time like paintings and frescoes do). If you visit Rome, absolutely don't miss the Pantheon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon%2C_Rome) , still the biggest unreinforced concrete dome in history at 142 ft. I stared at the dome and at the disturbing 'oculus' in the middle for one hour the first time I saw it. Simple and impressive roman buildings like these will please your memory for your life.

We will try to see the Pantheon and the Basilica of San Vitale. Fortunately, the tour of Venice includes a gondola ride. Thanks for the tips. It is good to get an insider's view of things.

[rickw]

Italy is one of my favorite European countries. I was last in Venice in 2004. Great photos. One place I always try to go is a restaurant off San Marko Square called Due Forni. I like the formal side.

[duna]

Italy is one of my favorite European countries. I was last in Venice in 2004. Great photos. One place I always try to go is a restaurant off San Marko Square called Due Forni. I like the formal side.

wow Due Forni ('do forni' in venetian) a great restaurant... Definitively not a fake place souped up for trapping tourists. Provided enough time and money, you cannot ask for more. Compliments... great taste. :drool: :biggrin1: