venice description essay

Why Venice Is Still Everyone’s Dream Destination

Editorial Manager

A group of small islands connected by a series of ornate bridges, Venice maintains an aura of romanticism that attracts both first-time explorers and experienced travellers. Here’s why Venice is impossible to ignore as a dream destination.

“You will get lost and lost and lost again…” Italian travel expert Elena Sisti from Elesta Travel tells Culture Trip when asked about her tips for discovering Venice. Her top piece of advice for navigating the winding alleys and endless canals of Venice? “Forget Google Maps and get a passionate local to take you around the city.”

There are a number of companies that can be found offering orientation tours, and Sisti personally recommends the husband-and wife-team of Matteo Gabbrielli and Erika Cornali from When in Venice . Even a casual browse of the website will have you searching for flights to the city; there’s an allure to Venice that makes it feel like nowhere else on Earth, and those who live here are best placed to help you experience this magic for yourself.

As with all popular tourist destinations, the summer months are the busiest and the most expensive. The unique structure of the city also poses challenges for visitors, but you can get to Venice with relative ease if you plan in advance. The main island of Venice has no roads, which means that travelling by car isn’t an option, so a water taxi or a vaporetto (water bus) are the most popular modes of transport in the city. Rail journeys all terminate at Santa Lucia station, which sees over 450 trains arrive every day; there are other stations on the mainland, but these require additional transfers to get to Venice proper. Shuttle buses also operate from the airport. However, the trains and shuttles don’t really have the same appeal; there’s nothing like approaching Venice from the water, watching the city spires rise from the lagoon as though in a dream.

Everyone who comes to Venice heads straight for Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square). “You should visit Chiesa delle Zitelle, an Andrea Palladio project, from where you enjoy one of the best views of the San Marco Square,” Sisti suggests. Venetian architecture is celebrated around the world, and Palladio is regarded as one of the most important names. His work, influenced by ancient Roman and Greek structures, remains a huge part of Venice’s appeal, and includes some of the best buildings of the Renaissance period.

However, Sisti urges visitors to explore beyond the typical landmarks of the city, too. “The city centre is unmissable, but there are many places where you can enjoy a more relaxed environment. Palazzo Grimani di San Luca has a wonderful courtyard. There are also the ospedaletti [small hospitals] like Ospedale di Santa Maria dei Derelitti, one of the oldest retirement homes in Venice. Founded in AD 978, they were designed for old, widows and poor people in general.” Today, many of the churches and former churches are used for concerts, and house incredible works of Renaissance art that can be seen for a fraction of the cost of going to a gallery.

Two of the most well-known symbols of Venice are its intricate, often colourful glasswork, and the beautiful gondolas that traverse the canals around the city. To get the best experience of both, Sisti suggests heading to the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio, which is still mostly inhabited by city residents. “This is the centre of the Jewish community in Venice; the word ‘ghetto’ originated here many years ago. One of my absolute favourites places here is the Fornace Orsoni – seeing how they make by hand the 24-carat gold mosaic tesserae is unbelievable. You can enter workshops of glass artists like Igor Balbi – his pieces of art are unbelievable – or the Tramontin Sisters, who have opened a traditional gondola-making shop [ squero ] using ancient techniques.”

Although every street and canal in Venice seems steeped in history, Sisti has some less well-known recommendations for exploring the staggering past of this city, which was once an empire. “For history buffs heading to Venice, the Lazzaretti Veneziani are a must to understand Venice and its power and importance,” Sisti says. “People were allowed to disembark at the Lazzaretti, the ‘Ellis Island of Venice’. The city was a huge commercial port and the coming and going of people made the city exposed to illnesses from all over the world. That is why Venice invented quarantine, that was then used afterwards all over the world.”

Some quarantine stations are still open to the public – although, of course, they are entirely safe now. “The New Lazzaretto allows you to visit the old structure and see the barene , the small original floating island on which Venice was built. The Old Lazzaretto will soon be the home of the City Museum of Venice.”

Venice has plenty of options for luxury travellers and those heading to the city on a budget , but nothing beats avoiding the crowds and taking in all the city has to offer on the advice of a local expert.

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A trip to Venice Report

Introduction.

A myriad of people across the globe, yearn to visit Venice city in Italy due to a number of reasons. Venice is a small city that lies within 118 islands with 150 canals connected by over 400 bridges. It is located within the Venetian Lagoon in Italy. It has a moderate whether with humid summers and wet winters.

The art work and architectural design of images gives the city its uniqueness and beauty. The name Venice is derived from the Veneti people who settled in the region in the 10 th century. The city is divided into 6 sections; cannaregio, San Marco, Cas Venice, Tello, Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro.

It is also known as the ‘city of canals’,’ the floating city’ ‘the city of bridges’. Other scholars have also defined the city as the most romantic city within Europe. Its winding canals and traffic free, makes it easy to navigate and explore. It has many magnificent squares, churches and mosques cognate with beautiful and interesting shops parked with nice romantic goods. (Wilmer, 2009)

Venice is easily accessible by train at the Santa Lucia train station. A tourist can also fly, though the city has a small airport. From there, you can board a bus or a boat. While in Venice, the most common form of transportation is vaporetti boats. Gondolas and taxis also offer some of the most romantic and luxurious means of transport.

While in the city, there are a number of beautiful art works which can interest tourists. The Venetian glass from Murano, Carnival masks designed from souvenirs, marble paper, lace and watercolors of Venetian scenes completes the list. Venice is always in a celebratory mood with festivals such as the Carnevale celebration and Redentore Regatta toping the list. (Cucco & Umgiesser, 2006)

Finally, as the two couples prepare to Venice, some of the most attracting sites will include; Piazza San Marco, palazzo Ducale, Ponte Di Rialto, Canal Grande, Basilica Di san Marco and Galleria del’ Accademia. These magnificent sites have been reported by past tourists to be more appealing than others.

This paper will prepare a detailed itinerary for one week for the two couples who are visiting the city. The marketing Ps which is exploited is the place since it gives them the real experience of having a vacation. (Davey, 2006)

Accommodation

Couple A will be booked in at Ca Mari Adele Hotel in Venice. The hotel which has been rated as one of the most romantic hotels in Venice, offers a very good view point to see some of the most magnificent places in Venice.

With the advent of technology and to capture the needs of the clients, the hotel was currently renovated to include some of the recent amenities which are required by our customers. Ca Mari Adele is decorated with dams’ chi, African wood furniture, Moresch, Swarovski crystals, and fur wall papers among other romantic decorations.

The mystical and romantic fascinations convince a number of lovers, that this is the hotel to stay. The rooms are designed in such a way that they are overlooking Grand Canal located in central Venice.

The rooms are fitted with flat screen TV, bathroom, DVD, internet access, concierge service, whirl pool and bath robe. The buffet meals are served in 24- hour round with the assistance of a multilingual staff working in the hotel. The rooms in the hotel go as cheap as 600.00 € for one night. (Simpson, 2007)

Pictures showing magnificent rooms within the hotel

The second couple will be booked at Bauer Il Palazzo hotel. The hotel is one of the most luxurious places in the world with a presidential suit costing EUR 5000.00. It therefore meets the couple’s demand of luxurious visit. The hotel is more sophisticated than other hotels within the Venice city. The hotel reflects the Venetian opulence with lavish décor which is designed to suite the needs of the couple.

The hotel is situated just miles away from St. Mark’s square and is within the proximity of the finest Venice shops, museums and sites. Bauer Il Palazzo hotel has its own private boat dock and therefore guests arriving at received by sumptuous lobby.

The decorations within the hotels rooms and suites make the client have a real holiday’s hotel experience and impression. (Ninfo et al, 2009) explains that, many rooms within the hotels feature balcony and terraces that offers an opportunity for a spectacular view of the St. Marks basin and the Grand Canal.

The break fast is served at the terrace and lounge (Settimo Cielo) which offers a magnificent view of the lagoon and the entire Venice city. The buffet meals are served 24 hours while the bars foyer provides nice music that keeps the client’s entertained whole night.

The atmosphere is amazing at the Gran canal, especially with the live music that plays every evening. The hotel facilities include; fitness rooms for exercise and necessary therapies. The couples staying in the hotel cannot lack place to buy surprising gifts, as the Bauer Il Palazzo hotel has a fabulous boutique that is fitted with necessary customized services a client would require. (Grewal & Levy,2010),

Some of the magnificent rooms and view points in Bauer Il Palazzo hotel

Nothing has been so amazing to a number of tourists when they arrive and are taken round the entire Venice city just to have a preview of what is in the town. The most romantic way is to arrive in Venice at around sunset and then take a gondola to the hotel. The couples should avoid the day time gondola rides since during day time they are being used by other tourist.

A brief induction and orientation will be doe just to ensure that the clients are well acquainted with the hotel operations. Then, they will be shown their rooms. In the evening, the couples will serve their dinner at their own wish, after which they can move to the bar, where there is a live music daily performance.

The band in the bar offers quite nice and entertaining songs. The first night will be a long one for the couples as the hotel offers magnificent and romantic places that might call for a whole night awake. This, I convinced, will be more than a fantastic way for the couples to start their stay and enjoy their romance. (Wilmer, 2009)

This is a different class of couple who are interested in having more of luxurious stay as opposed to more romance and Bauer Il Palazzo hotel offers nothing less than that. Davey, (2006 p97) on arrival, the couples can take a private chopper that will fly them into the hotel. The couple will then be signed in. Necessary staff introduction will be done, and hotel orientation.

The clients are expected to arrive at around mid day. Given that the hotel has a private boat, the couples can be taken around just to have a brief preview of the real Venice experience. They will also be walked around the hotel’s boutique which has very beautiful products one can be interested in.

Given that these are a bit aged people, they can join the fitness room for a massage thereafter they can join the bar for very nice live music.

In the morning, the couples can take the gondola tour for two. No trip in Venice can be accomplished without experiencing picturesque waterways. The trip shows the most intimate and relaxing trips along the beautiful city canals that helps explore the history. The couple can also enjoy the surreal scenery. This is an opportunity to see old buildings and the bridges in the city. (Grewal & Levy,2010),

The gondola tour (Venice by 2012)

After the ride experience, the couples can visit the Piazza San Marco (Saint Marks square). Although, the place is known of floods, the couple does not need to worry since it floods only came during winter. While here, the couples can visit several museums and the campanile.

The ever present pigeon flocks within the square makes the place so attractive. Inside the church is covered with Byzantine mosaics. From the church’s balcony, one can see a view of the Piazza. They will then move back to the hotel for an evening party. (Grewal & Levy, 2010)

The couples can start their visit by touring the repository art. A visit of the Ca’ Rezzonico, Pieta, Scuola Grande Di San Rocco will give the couple a real experience by viewing the artistic work. The beautiful houses and the Medieval and Renaissance artifacts will be entertaining to the couple.

The couples can then explore the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro. The sites are as cool as the narrowing makes it appear like a village. They can then shop at alleys for some of the luxurious traditional goods. A boat ride back to the hotel in the evening will give a real meaning and experience of the hotel. (Simonis & Venice, 2007)

Boat ride tour of the island will be a super way to start the day. Just meters across the Venetian Lagoon, the couples can take a boat ride through the wonderful Burano’s street. While here, the couples can shop at ornaments and the colored glass of the Murano. After shopping, the couples can ride back to Campanile to have a bird’s eye view of the Venice.

The view is great with the Lido and the whole Lagoon and Dolomites from a far distance. This will be an opportunity for the couples to have some small rest. Being here will be an opportunity to have a view of the entire Venice since this is the tallest building within the city.

Simonis & Venice, (2006 p.61) explains that, the city has got well fitted lifts decorates with traditional mosaic work that gives it a different holiday experience lift.

The couples can the have an experiential sunset tour by a boat. It is an opportunity to live the adventure and explore romance within some of the most magnificent sceneries. The tour is an opportunity to unlock some of the myths and stereotypes on Venice.

After a nice buffet break fast, the couple can set up to visit the Campanile. Simonis & Venice, (2006 p.81) The original campanile was built in 1902 and later renovated in 1912. The building has been visited by among other people Galileo in the 17 th century.

The couples can easily view Piazza, Doges place and St. Marks when they climb the top of the building. The couples can then move to Anta Adelaide to have a great taste of traditional dishes in Venice.

The experience of serving like Orca and the polpette gives areal taste of the traditional dishes in Venice. After the great dish, they can head to the Murano, which is an island known for great glass arts. The prices of these products are always at premium so saves a lot of time.

Both Couples Fun Day

On the forth day of their stay, the couples can have a joint day as agreed by both of them. In the morning hours the couple can visit the Castello district which is one of the largest districts within Venice city. They can have an opportunity to view some of the appealing artistic products in the city. The beautiful churches that are also within the city are better reason to visit the place.

While here, the couples can visit the interior Venetian Arsenale. The place used to be an old shipyard is used to build some artistic machinery. The historic maritime museum is a great place to learn some of the history of Venice and nice artifacts such as gondolas, vast collection of model ships and the canons.

The two couples can then take a vaparetto to tour the great canals within the city. The pairs can visit the great Grand canal which winds through the Venice and is almost 3 Km. the canal is full of gondolas, water taxis, barges and the vaporetti.

A ride from Santa Lucia rail way station along the three bridges i.e. Scalzi, Accademia and the Rialto will be more fascinating to the couples than expected. (Ninfo et al, 2009)

After exploring the canals the couples can have move at the lagoon city to share a special lunch. The city offers fresh unique but safe sea foods. Some of the meals offered here require an open minded person who is ready to experiment.

After a very beautiful lunch, the pair can move to the Doge’s palace to see some of the most the nicest museums and palaces. Doge’s palace is also referred to as Palazzo Ducale. The palace was built in the 9 th century and later rebuilt late 12 th century then 14 th and 15 th century respectively.

Today, the palace is seen as a gothic masterpiece in marbles. When this palace was built it used to serve as a government seat, prison and centre for justice and democracy for the locals. When the couples get here, they will be in a position to see some beautiful decorations and paintings of the halls which symbolizes the great memory of the La Serenissima.

The works in this hall are done by some of the greatest artists such as Tintoretto and Veronese. A presence here will be an opportunity to see the bridge of sighs that can be seen from the canal.

The Doges Palace (Venice by 2012)

In the evening the couples can attend a live performance at the theatre la Fenice. The couples can use a water romantic water bus for four past the Grand Canal to the Santa Maria del Giglioo. The couple can get their seats in the gold fitted balconies as they watch live performances.

In the morning the couple moves to the Islands of the Lagoon. This is a bit outside Venice, but it is a place which is also connected by bridges which makes is so beautiful. The place is also known for manufacturing of glasses which started during the 12 th century. While here, the couple can see some of the most magnificent glasses which were manufactured during this period.

The couples will have the opportunity to see the artisans at work which is one of the most attracting scenarios to the island. In some instances the factories are closed over the weekend and during some festival occasions, but still, the stores which sell the glass materials operate on a 24 hour basis.

The couple can then move to the Torcello Island to have a lazy lunch. Serving an idyllic meal at the Locanda Cipriani restaurant has been a place of choice for a number of tourists who find the place so romantic.

There is nothing sweet and romantic than having a sunset tour by a boat. It is an opportunity for the couple to escape from a reality through adventuring of some of the most romantic places around. This will be an opportunity to visit the places and dig unto the culture of the people.

The couple can spend their day by visiting some of the known museums which they have not visited. The Guggenheim museum, Gallerie dell’ Accademia and the Teatro La Fenice offers an opportunity to see the artistic and traditional work in Venice. Guggenheim museum is packed with some art collections from Europe and America.

The museum which is located at the Palazzo Vanier Dei Leoni is one of the most visited sites in the city. The Accademia hosts some of the most talked about works of the Venetian artists. It is a very popular and therefore a number of tourists also visit it. It will be an opportunity to interact with other kind tourists from other places.

Within the museum is also a square called Campo Santa Margherita which has very nice bars and restaurants. The couple can have an opportunity to shop around here.

The Teatro La Fenice is known for a number of problems which it has faced. It is a gorgeous theatre and in the evening an opportunity to attend one of the live theatres around here. (Cucco & Umgiesser, 2006)

The sixth day will be an opportunity to visit the St. Marks square. The square is characterized by its unique canals and the square which offers beautiful places to visit. The couples will have an opportunity to see some great artistic work in Venice. The square also highlights some of the most historical and cultural living styles of the people who stayed here.

Simonis & Venice (2006 p.61)The couple will also get a chance to see the big fabulous market that offers them an opportunity to have a real romantic adventure. A visit here will be for sure memorable. The couple can walk round the market that has also very beautiful restaurants.

They can share nice traditional meals that are offered. The couple can then wonder at the domes of the Basilica San Marco. As the sun sets, wandering between the arcades in the square will be a memorable moment. They can have an opportunity to have tea on the terraces of the Caffe Florian before they set back to the hotels. Couple B.

Having a boat ride to the islands will be a best opportunity for the couples to begin their day. The couples can take a motor road, to the Venetian Lagoons. This will be a chance to see some of the beautiful glasses in Murano. They can then head to the Grand Canal which winds across Venice.

The couple will have an opportunity to see some beautiful bridges of Rialto, Accademia and the Scalzi. In the evening, the couple can ride back to the hotel; take a shower just after visiting the fitness room. The cool live songs as they share a bottle of wine will be relaxing, luxurious and more romantic to the couples. (Wind, 2009)

Being the last day of their stay in Venice, the couple will have the only opportunity to see what they have not seen before. They have decided again to organize a half a day together then in the afternoon they go their ways. An opportunity to visit the Venetian art at the church of the Frari will be a perfect opportunity to end the tour together.

Campbell & Milner (2004 p.89) A stroll along the hidden alleyways will be an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the couples. In the afternoon couple A will follow the Casanovas foot steps. While here they will have an opportunity to sip wine together at the Spade bar which is near the Rialto spade.

Couple B will head back to the hotel’s shop to see some of the artistic work they need to buy. The hotels shop which offers a variety of art and glass work has always attracted buyers who are interested in purchasing luxurious goods.

Being the last day, both couples will clear their room, so as to catch up with their, different slotted trips to London. They will have to check out and then be driven to the airport through the water bus. A great pictorial sessions and moments as they go is usually very common as they live Venice. (Simpson, 2007)

It is axiomatic to argue that a trip to Europe without visiting Venice is never complete. A visit in the city is of a real difference, and most of the clients will yearn to have more

Throughout this work, the major Ps the paper has exploited is the Place and price. The first couple is determined towards visiting some of the most romantic places within Venice while Couple B is interested in luxurious life. This is clearly differentiated by the hotels booked. Price is of concern to Couple A while to Couple B the most important thing is exploring the artistic work and the culture of the people of Venice.

Campbell S. & Milner S. 2004 Artistic exchange and cultural translation in the Italian renaissance city Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Cucco A. & Umgiesser G. 2006 Ecological Modelling: Modeling the Venice Lagoon residence time, vol. 193., pp. 21-51.

Davey S. 2006, Unforgettable places to see before you die , BBC Books, London

Grewal D. & Levy M 2010 Marketing, McGraw-Hill Irwin; Boston

Ninfo A., Fontana, A., Mozzi P. & Ferrarese F. 2009 Science, The Map of Altinum, Ancestor of Venice , vol. 325

Simonis, D. Venice 2006 Lonely Planet ; Melbourne

Simpson, M. 2007, American Artists Paint the City : Katharine Kuh, the 1956 Venice Biennale, and New York’s Place in the Cold War Art World. American Studies, vol. 48, pp. 31-57 Venice by, a complete catalogue of hotels in Venice Web.

Wilmer, V. 2009 Prose Studies: History, Theory, Criticism, A Venetian Excursion — John Ruskin in Verona, vol. 31, pp. 93-101.

Wind J. 2009, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Rethinking marketing: Peter Drucker’s challenge, vol. 37, pp. 28-34.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "A trip to Venice." April 24, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-trip-to-venice/.

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Literary Venice: 6 Beautiful Descriptions of Venice in Literature

January 23, 2023

Oh, Venice! Its name alone is enough to conjure images of a time gone by. But why stop there? Romantic yet stately, calm yet vibrant, there are so many sides to the city. So to do it justice, we’ve compiled this list of the best descriptions of Venice in literature that will make you fall head over heels with the Floating City (if you haven’t already!)

Samuel Rogers; Italy , A Poem

English poet Samuel Rogers shared the literary stage with the likes of Shelley, Wordsworth and Coleridge during the 18th century – even if his name has been somewhat forgotten now. One of his most successful poems,  Italy,  was essentially a love letter to the country after he visited it for the first time in 1815. Though the poem was initially met with a mediocre reception, it proved a great success. Its description of Venice evokes all of the dreamlike, fairytale qualities that the Floating City espouses.

“There is a glorious City in the Sea. The Sea is in the broad, the narrow streets, Ebbing and flowing; and the salt sea-weed Clings to the marble of her palaces. No track of men, no footsteps to and fro, Lead to her gates. The path lies o’er the Sea, Invisible; and from the land we went, As to a floating City – steering in, And gliding up her streets as in a dream…”

Lord Byron;  Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Described as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”, Byron’s eccentric personality was superseded only by his literary accomplishments. After he was forced out of England in 1816 because of rumours of an affair with his half-sister, Byron stayed in Venice for three years forming an attachment to the city which would colour many of his subsequent works. One of the places he stayed was the Mocenigo Palace along the Grand Canal (where he lived with a fox, two mastiff dogs and two monkeys). Though Venice left an impression on the poet, he also made his mark on the city. In fact, Byron is credited with giving the city’s ‘Bridge of Sighs’ its famous epithet. In the following extract from his epic poem,  Child Harold’s Pilgrimage  his descriptions of Venice evoke the glory of the city’s past, mixing its rich history with mythical origins.

“She looks a sea Cybele, fresh from ocean, Rising with her tiara of proud towers At airy distance, with majestic motion, A ruler of the waters and their powers. And such she was; her daughters had their dowers From spoils of nations, and the exhaustless East Poured in her lap all gems in sparkling showers. In purple was she robed, and of her feast Monarchs partook, and deemed their dignity increased.”

Hans Christian Andersen;  What the Moon Saw

Hans Christian Andersen was a Dutch writer who gained considerable acclaim during his life for his collection of fairytales. One of the reasons his tales resonated with so many was because of his ability to bring diverse places, both real and imagined, to vivid life. In one of his lesser known works,  What The Moon Saw,  the moon travels through the world and returns to tell a young artist struggling to find inspiration what he’s seen in the world. One of the sights described is the city of Venice which is told with a hauntingly beautiful depiction of deserted streets before the people have risen.

“Whenever the jetty fountains splash into the marble basins, they seem to me to be telling the story of the floating city. Yes, the spouting water may tell of her, the waves of the sea may sing of her fame! On the surface of the ocean a mist often rests, and that is her widow’s veil. The bridegroom of the sea is dead, his palace and his city are his mausoleum! Dost thou know this city? She has never heard the rolling of wheels or the hoof-tread of horses in her streets, through which the fish swim, while the black gondola glides spectrally over the green water. I will show you the place,” continued the Moon, “the largest square in it, and you will fancy yourself transported into the city of a fairy tale.”

Charlotte Dacre;  Zofloya, or The Moor

Born Charlotte King, Dacre was one of the most radical female writers during the Romantic period in England. The daughter of a money-lender and often bankrupt writer John King, she was accused by her contemporary critics of writing immoral and salacious material. As a result, she often wrote under the  pseudonym,  Charlotte Dacre. In  Zofloya or The Moor , published in 1806 she describes the ‘stately’ Venice of politics and high society elsewhere set against dark undercurrents of scandal and intrigue running throughout the novel.

“Soon, to her infinite joy, Victoria beheld the towers and domes of stately Venice rising proudly from the Adriatic, encircled round by its green arms. It was the time of the Carnival: multitudes of gay and splendid gondolas appeared upon the lake as they drew near; they were now upon the point of landing at St. Mark’s. Victoria turned to thank the gondolier for his kindness – he nodded and smiled, and helped her out of the gondola, whispering in her ear, that he should never at any time object to do so pretty a girl a service.”

Mary Shelley

The daughter of enlightenment writers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, Mary Shelley is best known for her monumental novel  Frankenstein  first published anonymously in 1818. Travelling around Europe with her husband (Percy Bysshe Shelley), Mary stayed in Italy for an extended visit from 1818 – 1822. Though it proved a turbulent time in her life – marked by the death of two of her children – it profoundly impacted much of her writing afterwards.

“There is something so different in Venice from any other place in the world, that you leave at once all accustomed habits and, everyday sights to enter an enchanted garden.”

Percy Bysshe Shelley;  Lines Written among the Euganean Hills

Like many Romantic writers, Percy Shelley had a deep love of Italy. Travelling from city to city to escape their creditors back in England, Percy and his wife Mary Shelley, moved across Italy until Percy’s tragic death in 1822 when his boat was caught in a storm and he was drowned off the Gulf of La Spezia, subsequently named the ‘Gulf of Poets‘. In this poem, Venice is personified as a deity of the ocean imbued with mythical qualities.

“Beneath is spread like a green sea The waveless plain of Lombardy, Bounded by the vaporous air, Islanded by cities fair; Underneath Day’s azure eyes Ocean’s nursling, Venice lies, A peopled labyrinth of walls, Amphitrite’s destin’d halls, Which her hoary sire now paves With his blue and beaming waves.”

Want to experience the sights and sounds of Venice for yourself? Check out our extensive  Venice tours , including a  boat tour  along the canals or indulge your tastebuds with a  dine around the city !

by Aoife Bradshaw

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• The Streets of Venice: An Immersive Journey

Venice – The Enigma Beyond Its Waters

Venice is in the heart of Italy’s northeastern coast, an enigmatic city renowned for its labyrinthine canals and romantic gondola rides. Yet, delve deeper than these shimmering waters, and Venice unfolds as a city steeped in layers of history, art, and unparalleled architectural marvels. This essay sample endeavors to transport readers past the iconic waterways and into the winding alleys, atmospheric plazas, and hidden nooks that radiate the true Venetian spirit. It’s here, away from the glistening waters, where one discovers that Venice is not merely a city built on lagoons but a rich tapestry of stories, dreams, and echoes of a bygone era.

Echoes of Footsteps on Time-Worn Cobblestones

Venture beyond Venice’s iconic canals and the melodies of the city transform. The gentle splash of water against the gondola’s hull fades, replaced by the rhythmic cadence of footsteps on ancient, weathered cobblestones. Each step taken reverberates with centuries of history, echoing tales of merchants, artists, lovers, and dreamers who once trod these very paths.

Wandering through narrow alleys flanked by timeworn buildings, one can’t help but feel an intimate connection with Venice’s rich past. The faded frescoes and intricate ironwork balconies speak of eras when art and commerce flourished. Every brick, every stone seems to whisper secrets of passionate love affairs, shrewd business deals, and artistry that defied the ages.

Imagine, for a moment, the bustling markets these streets would have witnessed: traders from distant lands haggling vociferously, their voices blending with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the murmur of animated conversations. The fragrances evolve as you wander – from the salty tang of the lagoon to the inviting aromas of traditional Venetian trattorias, tempting passersby with promises of rich risottos and delicate seafood dishes.

Amidst this orchestra of sights, sounds, and scents, the streets of Venice are an ever-evolving narrative, continually retelling their tales to those who care to listen. For the intrepid traveler, these cobblestones offer a journey through not just through lanes but through time.

Bridges that Whisper Stories

Venice, a labyrinth of canals, also boasts an intricate web of bridges that interlink its many islands. But these aren’t mere structures of stone and mortar; they are silent storytellers, guardians of countless secrets and tales from epochs long past.

The Rialto Bridge, perhaps the most famed of all, has seen merchants and nobility tread upon its arches. As you walk across, you can almost hear the echo of bargaining voices mingling with the gentle serenades of roving minstrels. This iconic span, bridging markets and palazzos, has been a silent spectator to Venice’s golden days of trade and artistry.

Yet, not all bridges shout their presence. Some are hidden, modest, and quietly poetic. The Ponte dei Sospiri, or the ‘Bridge of Sighs,’ tells a more somber tale. It’s said that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice’s beauty before their confinement. The bridge enveloped in a melancholy aura, is a testament to the city’s multifaceted history, where romance and tragedy often danced hand in hand.

Wander further, and you’ll find bridges adorned with blossoming flowers, a romantic dream where many a lover’s promise has been whispered under the velvet cloak of night. Others, simple and unadorned, stand as emblems of Venice’s utilitarian past, each plank and nail recounting tales of common folk who built the city’s legacy brick by brick.

As the sun casts its golden hue upon the city, these bridges transform, their stones gleaming, reflecting the play of light and shadow, each angle revealing a new facet, a new story. To traverse these bridges is to step into a narrative that has unfolded for centuries, inviting you to become a part of Venice’s ever-evolving tale.

Piazzas – Venice’s Beating Heart

In the winding maze of Venice’s watery avenues, its piazzas emerge as vast stages where the drama of daily Venetian life unfolds. These public squares, alive with a pulse uniquely their own, encapsulate the essence of Venetian spirit and culture.

St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, reigns supreme among them. Often hailed as “the drawing room of Europe,” this grand piazza pulsates with energy, its majestic basilica and towering campanile acting as sentinels of time. Here, one can feel the rhythmic beats of Venice – the distant serenades from gondoliers, the joyous laughter of children chasing pigeons, and the animated conversations of locals over a cup of robust Italian coffee.

However, venture deeper into Venice’s lesser-known neighborhoods and discover smaller, more intimate piazzas. Like the picturesque Campo Santa Margherita, these secluded pockets hum with local life. Children play spirited football games, elderly gentlemen debate passionately, and families dine outside, enjoying the balmy Venetian nights. Such piazzas offer an unfiltered peek into Venetian existence’s genuine, day-to-day rhythm.

Furthermore, as evening drapes over the city, these squares transform. The soft glow of street lamps illuminates historic facades, musicians serenade diners, and couples dance under the starlit sky. The air grows thick with the delectable aroma of Venetian cuisine wafting from adjacent trattorias.

Venice’s piazzas are not just mere spaces; they are dynamic canvases that paint a vivid picture of the city’s soul. They resonate with stories, emotions, and memories, inviting every visitor to pause, breathe, and immerse themselves in the timeless allure of Venice.

Secrets in the Shadows

Venturing beyond Venice’s bustling piazzas and iconic canals, one encounters a labyrinth of narrow alleyways known locally as “calle”. Often cloaked in an enigma, these slender veins of the city whisper tales of a Venice that many transient visitors might overlook.

As twilight descends, a bewitching hush envelops these pathways. The sparkle from wrought iron lanterns casts playful shadows on the aged walls, each crevice and crack revealing remnants of bygone eras. The shimmering water of the nearby canals reflects the dim light, lending an ethereal glow to the surroundings. Venice’s secrets beckon in this enchanting interplay of light and shadow.

Every calle has its narrative. Some speak of clandestine romances, where stolen glances were exchanged away from prying eyes. Others echo the footsteps of famed artists and writers seeking refuge and inspiration amidst Venice’s secluded beauty. Then some murmured tales of intrigue: merchants striking covert deals, or perhaps, the stealthy footfalls of a masked reveler during Carnival.

Hidden courtyards, or “campielli”, sporadically punctuate these alleys. Stumbling upon one feels like unearthing a secret garden. Here, ivy-clad walls embrace serene fountains, and the soft murmur of conversation floats from an unseen balcony. These nooks offer solace and a fleeting escape from the city’s tourist-laden tracks.

But, as with all secrets, one must tread lightly and reverently. The very allure of these shadowy passages lies in their mystery. The privilege of uncovering Venice’s hidden gems comes with the responsibility of preserving their sanctity.

To truly experience Venice, one must be willing to lose oneself in its enigmatic embrace, seek out the stories etched in its secret corridors’ walls, and respect the rich tapestry of history and culture that thrives in its shadows.

The Everlasting Allure

There’s an indescribable magnetism to Venice, an allure that transcends its iconic canals and famed landmarks. While its waterways shimmer in the sun’s embrace and its architecture stands testament to a grand epoch, the whispered tales from the silent streets and veiled corners truly captivate the soul.

Every step taken on the cobblestone, every bridge crossed, and every muted echo in the quiet piazzas is a gentle reminder of the passage of time and, yet, the timeless nature of Venice’s charm. In a world obsessed with the new and the novel, Venice remains a poignant ode to the past, gracefully interwoven with the present.

Those who’ve strolled through its streets, felt the cooling mist of the Grand Canal on a summer evening, or listened to the soft lullabies of gondoliers will attest to a singular truth: Venice isn’t just a destination; it’s a deeply evocative experience. It’s a place where every brick, every ripple in the water, and every shadow has a story to tell. Stories that beckon, enthrall, and ensure that the allure of Venice remains etched in one’s memory long after the journey has ended.

In concluding this essay sample, it becomes clear that Venice’s magic isn’t merely in its beauty but in its ability to transport visitors to a world where history, romance, and mystery dance in perfect harmony. A dance that invites us, time and time again, to lose ourselves in its timeless embrace.

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Literary Venice: 6 Beautiful Descriptions Of Venice in Literature

Oh, Venice! Just the name of this place is enough to conjure up images from a bygone era. Why stop there? There are many aspects to this city: Romantic, stately, tranquil, vibrant. We’ve compiled this list to give Venice the full attention it deserves.

Samuel Rogers; Italy, A Poem

Samuel Rogers, an English poet, shared the literary stage during the 18th century with Wordsworth, Coleridge and Shelley – even though his name is somewhat forgotten today. Italy was his most popular poem. It was actually a love letter to Italy after he had visited the country in 1815. Although the poem received a poor reception at first, it was a huge success. Its description of Venice evokes the fairytale, dreamlike qualities that the Floating City embodies.

“There is a magnificent City by the Sea.

The Sea is found in both the wide and the narrow streets.

The salt sea-weed is ebbing and flowing

She clings to the marble in her palaces.

There is no track of men or footsteps between them.

Follow her to her gates. The path is o’er to the Sea.

Invisible; from the land we went

As a floating city – steering in.

She glides up her streets like in a dream …”

Lord Byron; Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Byron was described as “mad and bad” and dangerous to know. His literary achievements were more impressive than his eccentric personality. After being forced to leave England in 1816 due to rumors of an affair with his half sister, Byron stayed three years in Venice and formed an attachment that would influence many of his later works. The Mocenigo Palace, which is located along the Grand Canal, was one of his places. He lived there with two monkeys and two mastiff dogs. Although Venice was a significant influence on the poet, he also left his mark on the city. In fact, Byron is credited for giving the city’s infamous ‘Bridge of Sighs” its nickname. The following excerpt from Child Harold’s epic poem, Child Harold’s Pilgrimage shows how Byron’s descriptions of Venice invoke the glory of its past, combining mythical origins with rich history.

“She looks like a fresh out of the ocean sea Cybele.

With her tiara of proud towers, she rose

With majestic motion at a distance of airy.

The ruler of the waters and their power.

She was a great mother; her daughters got their dowers

From the spoils of nations and the endless East

All gems in sparkling rains were poured into her lap.

She was robed in purple, and she enjoyed her feast.

Monarchs took part, and their dignity was increased.”

Hans Christian Andersen, What the Moon Saw

Hans Christian Andersen, a Dutch writer, was well-known for his collection fairytales. His ability to bring to life diverse locations, real and imagined, was one of the reasons his stories resonated so strongly with so many. One of his lesser-known works, What The Moon Saw is a story in which the moon travels around the globe and then returns to tell a young artist who struggles to find inspiration about what he has seen. The city of Venice is one of the featured sights. It is described with hauntingly beautiful images of abandoned streets before people rise.

“When the jetty fountains splash into marble basins, it seems to me that they are telling the story about the floating city. Yes, the water may spout of her, and the waves of the ocean may sing of her fame. A mist of water often lies on the ocean’s surface, which is her widow’s veil. The sea’s bridegroom is dead. His palace and city are his mausoleum. Is this the city you know? She has not heard the wheels of her street or the hoof-tread horses of horses. The streets are where the fish swim and the black gondola glides over the green water. Moon continued, “I will show you the area, the largest square in it, so you’ll feel transported into the city of fairy tales.”

Charlotte Dacre; Zofloya or The Moor

Charlotte King was Dacre’s mother. She was one of the most radical women writers in the Romantic period. Her contemporary critics accused her of writing sexually explicit and immoral material. She was the daughter of John King, a money-lender who was often bankrupt. She often wrote under the pseudonym Charlotte Dacre. Zofloya, or The Moor was published in 1806. It describes the’stately Venice’ of politics and high society elsewhere. The novel is set against dark undercurrents and intrigue.

Victoria saw the domes and towers of the stately Venice rise proudly from the Adriatic, its green arms surrounding it. It was the Carnival time. As they approached the lake, a multitude of gay and magnificent gondolas appeared. They were soon at St. Mark’s. Victoria turned to the gondolier to express her gratitude. He smiled and nodded, helping Victoria out of the gondola. She whispered in his ear that he would never object to giving such a pretty girl a service.

Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, the daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, is most well-known for her epic novel Frankenstein. It was first published anonymously in 1818. Mary Shelley traveled around Europe with Percy Bysshe Shelley, and stayed in Italy during her extended stay. It was a difficult time in her life, marked by the deaths of two of her children. However, it had a profound impact on her writing later.

“There is something different about Venice than any other place in this world. You leave behind all your everyday habits to enter an enchanted forest.”

Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lines Written Between the Euganean Hill Hills

Percy Shelley, like many Romantic writers, had a deep love for Italy. Percy and Mary Shelley moved from one city to the next to escape their creditors in England. Percy died in 1822 after his boat got caught in a storm. He was drowned in the Gulf of La Spezia. It was later named the “Gulf of Poets”. Venice is portrayed as an ocean deity in this poem.

“Beneath spreads like a green ocean

The flat plain of Lombardy.

Bound by the vaporous atmosphere

Cities fair islanded

Underneath Day’s azure eyes

Ocean’s nursling, Venice lies,

The walls are a labyrinth for people.

Amphitrite’s destin’d halls,

And her old sire, now paves

His blue, beaming waves

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Imaginary View of Venice, houses at left with figures on terraces, a domed church at center in the background, boats and boat-sheds below, and a seated man observing from a wall at right in the foreground, from 'Views' (Vedute altre prese da i luoghi altre ideate da Antonio Canal)

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Katharine Baetjer Department of European Paintings, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

October 2003

Painters in Eighteenth-Century Venice La Serenissima , the “most serene” maritime republic of Venice, was among the great trading powers of medieval and Renaissance Europe and, by the late twelfth century, a major economic force on the Italian peninsula. The city proper had been built upon a network of small islands lying in the swamp at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. After 1400, the Venetian republic gradually occupied much of the plain of the Po River, including Vicenza, Padua, Verona, and Ravenna. Venice’s mercantile power gradually declined, however, as other states established wide-ranging trade routes. In the eighteenth century, her political dominion waned until the defiant republic was an anachronism. Invaded by Napoleonic forces in 1797, the once proud, independent Venetian city-state collapsed and the city never recovered its former eminence.

The Role of Venice in Eighteenth-Century Europe While her political status steadily declined, Venice became—and has remained—a preeminent tourist destination. The city’s architecture ( 1988.162 ), which is inflected by its geographic position and by the particular conditions of a maritime environment, and the wealth and richness of its painting, sculpture, and decoration ( 06.1335.1a–d ) attracted ever larger numbers of visitors. Special fairs were held to interest buyers in the books, glass, lace, and all manner of other locally manufactured and imported goods that were offered for sale. Many foreigners stopped in Venice on their so-called Grand Tour (international travel intended to enhance the education of prominent young adult males [ 2002.22 ]), particularly for the Carnival season and for the great Ascension Day festival. In addition to the fine arts, music, and theater, gambling ( 1997.117.5 ), and other less salubrious entertainments were readily available.

The Development of Venetian Painting As early as the tenth century, Venice had established commercial links with Constantinople , and Venetian painting therefore emerged from the traditions of Byzantium ( 29.158.746 ). Wall painting and fresco were introduced from the mainland in the last third of the fourteenth century. The distinct local Venetian school emphasized the particular properties of colored light and atmosphere ( 08.183.1 ): Venetian colore as opposed to Florentine disegno , or properties of line and design. The guild system in Venice was strong, and family partnerships were a common form of business association among artists and artisans, safeguarding local practices.

Probably because of the unusual beauty and uniqueness of the city, as well as visitors’ desire to secure a memento, view painting—real and imaginary—developed as a uniquely important genre in the hands of Canaletto, Bernardo Bellotto ( 39.142 ), and, in the succeeding generation, Francesco Guardi. Canaletto was known for the precision and apparent accuracy of his cityscapes ( 1988.162 ) while Guardi was a master of the imaginary view ( 53.225.3 ). Bellotto carried the tradition to the northern European cities of Dresden, Munich, and Warsaw ( 1991.306 ). Although portraiture was less important in eighteenth-century Venice, Rosalba Carriera was internationally renowned as a practitioner in pastel ( 2002.22 ). Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and his son Domenico painted history ( 65.183.2 ), mythology, and genre ( 1980.67 ), while Pietro Longhi was exclusively a genre painter ( 14.32.1 , 14.32.2 ). Both Tiepolos were also masters of interior decoration on the grandest possible scale. It is worth noting that Bellotto was not the only Venetian artist who was popular abroad: for example, Sebastiano Ricci ( 1981.186 ) and Canaletto ( 1975.1.297 ) flourished in England, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in Würzburg ( 1977.1.3 ) and Madrid.

Baetjer, Katharine. “Venice in the Eighteenth Century.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/venc/hd_venc.htm (October 2003)

Further Reading

Aikema, Bernard, and Boudewijn Bakker. Painters of Venice: The Story of the Venetian "Veduta." Exhibition catalogue. Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 1990.

Levey, Michael. Painting in Eighteenth-Century Venice . 3d ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.

Martineau, Jane, and Andrew Robison, eds. The Glory of Venice: Art in the Eighteenth Century . Exhibition catalogue. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.

Additional Essays by Katharine Baetjer

• Baetjer, Katharine. “ Claude Lorrain (1604/5?–1682) .” (February 2014)
• Baetjer, Katharine. “ Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (1749–1803) .” (June 2016)
• Baetjer, Katharine. “ Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842) .” (May 2016)
• Baetjer, Katharine. “ Portrait Painting in England, 1600–1800 .” (October 2003)
• Baetjer, Katharine. “ Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725–1805) .” (October 2017)

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My Favorite City in the World: The Beautiful Venice Italy

After several years of travel, I’d have to say Venice, Italy, is still my favorite place of all time. There’s something unique about a city floating in water and gondoliers singing their way through the canals.

It’s not even so much about the architecture or the food (which I do love), but it’s more about the feeling I get when I’m there.

Beautiful Venice made me fall in love with traveling, and it continues to shine through the visits.

Why Visit Venice?

 “I think that if you ask any traveler which country is their favorite, they’ll probably  tell you the first country that made them fall in love with traveling. We feel that  connection to the one where we got bitten with the travel bug.” – NomadicMatt

I honeymooned through Italy in 2011, and Venice was our first stop. I’ll never forget the awe I was in the entire time I was there. At that moment, my travel list grew exponentially, and clearly, it hasn’t stopped since. How can you forget that feeling?

I’ve now been to Venice three times, plus 19 other Italian towns and numerous countries worldwide, yet Venice still wins me over.

It’s such a visited city, and parts of it can be so touristy. But it has this charm that even the most seasoned travelers can’t deny. As I was editing these photos, I was reminded of how much I love this city and all its dreamlike moments, like looking out of the hotel window and watching the gondoliers casually passing by.

Or catching the traffic jam under the Bridge of Sighs. Legend has it that the Bridge of Sighs got its name because prisoners who crossed it on the way to their cells or execution chambers would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice through the tiny windows.

Nowadays, you can actually go inside this palace and cross the bridge yourself *sighs optional*.

Click here to book your ticket  to the Doge’s Palace.

Even something as simple as seeing the locals run their errands and wondering if they realize how magical their city is.

Then passing by an artist who’s painting a picture of the scene.

And visiting Florian, one of the oldest (and most gorgeous) cafes in the world, born in 1720. I recommend you sit outside and enjoy their live orchestra; it definitely adds to the experience.

Or taking in the views from the Rialto Bridge and capturing that perfect photo.

I mean, come on! How can you not feel like you’re walking through a movie scene whenever you’re in Venice? Whatever the moment is, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one enamored with this floating city.

How to Get to Venice City Center From Airport

If you’re flying into Venice’s airport, you can step right outside and try to catch a bus to the city center.

You can also book that ticket beforehand to make life a little easier. Click here to purchase your bus ticket .

The bus is a much cheaper route to get into the center. Then, you can either walk to your hotel (cheapest option) or take a quick water taxi.

The water taxi rides are worth it, especially for your arrival and departure. The city can be hard to navigate. First, it’s basically a maze once you go into the side streets.

We got so lost the first year we visited just trying to get to our hotel, not the fun kind of lost.

Save yourself time and take a taxi to your hotel, enjoy the views of the city from the water, and take lots of photos along the way.

Click here to book a water taxi that will take you from the airport straight to your hotel! Though this is the more expensive option, it’d surely save you a lot of time and energy.

How Many Days in Venice?

Venice is tiny, but it packs so much character and great food that you need to give it a minimum of 2 days. I’d say go for 3 days to fit in a day trip to explore the other islands if you have the flexibility.

If you have even more days available, I’d suggest venturing out and visiting neighboring cities.

As you can tell from my post alone, Venice is a photographer’s dream. It’s full of unique facades, surprising nooks, shops, and of course, the famous Venice canals. It’s a city that is best explored at a leisurely pace. Slow down and take in the city of love.

We were walking around aimlessly when we stumbled into the cutest and most unique bookstore we’ve seen to date.

The last time we visited Venice was in April. Actually, we always tend to go in April (since that’s our anniversary month). The weather is usually kind to us for the most part.

We only experienced heavy rain one day out of all the times we’ve visited. There was minimal flooding, and we were able to carry on the next day just fine.

What to Eat in Venice

But enough about the magic, let’s talk about what to eat in Venice…

Gelateria CA’ D’oro – My favorite gelato place in town! Try the Amarena flavor, my favorite of all.

Torrefazione  Cannaregio – Well-reviewed roastery making delicious cappuccinos while you stand by the counter like a true local. The service is amazing, and you can even bring some coffee beans home with you. Aren’t those the best souvenirs?

Dal  Moro’s – Takeaway pasta, and one of the best-reviewed places in town. Venice isn’t cheap, and paying for a sit-down meal every day and night can get expensive. Dal Moro is a great option for a cheaper dinner, and it’s so good that you’ll most likely run into a line while you’re visiting, but it moves pretty quickly.

Gelatoteca Suso – Another great gelato shop with excellent reviews to back me up. I loved their coconut flavor.

Frulalà  Fruit Bar – This place was so fun! They had two locations when we were there, and we chose the outdoor stand with a handful of stools and people walking by wondering what all our fuss was about. The guy working the juice/cocktail bar was offering people free shots as they walked by as a way to draw them in, lol. It worked. Cocktails are made with real fruit, super refreshing, and delicious.

Antico   Gatoleto – This restaurant is tucked away from the crowd and had great pasta dishes.

Da  Mamo – We visited this restaurant for our 3rd wedding anniversary and loved it. It’s tiny, so I recommend you reserve ahead of time.

Best Places to Stay in Venice

Hotel San Cassiano – Residenza d’Epoca Ca’ Favaretto – This was the first hotel we stayed in when visiting in 2011. It’s right on the Grand Canal, and we chose a room with a canal view. The rooms are decorated in traditional Venetian style. They serve a wonderful breakfast, and the breakfast room has a balcony with a gorgeous view of the canal.

Carnival Palace Hotel – Located near the Jewish quarter (and Cannaregio). This hotel is further away from the Grand Canal but closer to the train station, which is good if you need to fly out early on your departure date. Our room had a canal view, and the decor was more luxurious modern. Their breakfast options included an omelet bar and mimosas! Seriously luxe for not luxe prices.

You can also go for an Airbnb in Venice anywhere near or around the areas mentioned above or the Cannaregio District. Cannaregio is a great area that’s not as crowded as the center and filled with many cool facades and food options.

Venice Gondola Ride

If this is your first time visiting Venice, splurge on that gondola ride (if it’s on your list). We did it the first year to have the experience and loved it, but it’s too expensive to do it every time.

Shop around, there’s a base price of 80 euros for 40 minutes, but gondoliers will add to it depending on the length and time of day. Look for them outside of main areas, and you’ll usually find a better deal.

Don’t be afraid to haggle a little.

Venice Day Trips 

Please do not leave without visiting Burano, the most colorful island I’ve ever seen in my life, and it’s only a 40ish-minute boat ride away.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and could not stop taking photos. Read more about that visit HERE . If you have more time, check out the neighboring island of Murano.

We made the Burano day trip on our own so that we wouldn’t have any time limits. You can, however, book a half-day tour that includes transportation plus alone time to explore both Burano and Murano. Learn more about that tour here .

I hope this guide was helpful, and it inspired your trip to Venice even more so. I know you’ll fall in love with this place.

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Reading your article made me encouraged and exciting to travel to some of your favorite places in the world to have a different experience. Thanks for all those lists of beautiful places.

Thank you for reading!

Thanks Hanan!!☺️

Beautiful photos and nice post.

I’m with you on Venice – it’s one of my all-time favorite cities and such a photographer’s paradise. I love to just purposely get lost!

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© This Darling World - All Rights Reserved

A collection of wisdom, a focus on the universal

Brodsky's Intimate Exploration of How Places We Seek Often Map Who We Are

"I'd never possess this city; but then I'd never had any such aspiration."

There should be a word for places that are not home but have tenets of home. Familiarity without contempt. Shall we call it "A home away"?

Venice was Joseph Brodsky's  (May 24, 1940 - January 28, 1996)  home away. Watermark: An Essay on Venice maps this Nobel laureate's magnificent relationship to this jeweled city. Born in Russia in 1940, Brodsky was exiled from his country in 1972 and settled in New York. However, like John Keats, buried in Rome, Brodsky's final resting place is Venice.   I struggled with my verb tense here. I used present tense without consideration, as in "Keats and Brodsky are  buried in Italy." But, of course, they were  buried, right? Are they still there? The issue of  where the dead exist to the living confounds me.     I recently read that when English writer Peter Mayle died in 2018 he was buried in his beloved Provence  rather than his birthplace England. Maybe our body is merely located where our soul already is.

In Watermark,  Brodsky gestures at the space adjacent and invites us to sit: "Here," he lifts our chin, "This is my Venice."

The boat's slow progress through the night was like the passage of a coherent thought through the subconscious. On both sides, knee-deep in pitch-black water, stood the enormous carved chests of dark palazzi filled with unfathomable treasures—most likely gold, judging from the low-intensity yellow electric glow emerging now and then from cracks in the shutters. The overall feeling was mythological, cyclopic, to be precise. I entered that infinity I beheld on the steps of the stazione and now was moving among its inhabitants, along the bevy of dormant cyclopses reclining in the black water, now and then raising and lowering an eyelid.

Poet Mary Oliver pushed herself to "keep attention on eternity. " My singular focus on the eternal is a feeling of empathy, a warm, generous expansion into the world.

For Brodsky, it isn't the familiarity of Venice that allowed him to expand into that infinity; it was the unknown, the anonymity.

I was standing there waiting for the only person I knew in that city to meet me. She was pretty late. Every traveler knows this fix: this mixture of fatigue and apprehension. It's the time of staring down the clock faces and timetables, of scrutinizing varicose marble under your feet, of inhaling ammonia. [...] Save for the yawning bartender and immobile Buddha-like matrona at the cash register, there was no one in sight.

In this inconspicuous setting, this pause of life, what film critic Roger Ebert called "the pastime of Being By Myself in a City Where No One Knows Who I Am and No One Knows Where to Find Me," Brodsky blends into Venice. Through his senses, sight, touch , and smell, he becomes "smitten by the feeling of utter happiness."   Roger Ebert, one of my favorite humans and writers, coincidentally found his anonymous self in Venice. In his memoirs, the film critic takes us there:     "In Venice, there is a small bridge leading over a side canal. Halfway up the steps crossing the bridge, there is a landing, and a little café has found a perch there. In front of this café, there is one table with two chairs."   Read more in Ebert's Life, Itself .

One recognizes oneself in certain elements; by the time I was taking this smell in on the steps of the stazione, hidden dramas, and incongruities long since had become my forte.

Travel is a means to finding ourselves or, instead, to unearthing parts hitherto hidden. The most significant travel experiences are less about going and more about existing in a pause that allows self-reflection.

Where, Brodsky argues, better than Venice? Venice is many, many things, but its blood is water. Surrounding, palliative, destructive, reclaiming water.

Water, and thus Venice itself, is a mirror that can tell us more about who we are. Brodsky desires to paint Venice; he (perhaps wittingly) paints himself instead.

I always adhered to the idea that God is time, or at least that His spirit is. Perhaps this idea was even of my own manufacture, but now I need to remember. In any case, I always thought that if the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water, the water was bound to reflect it. Hence my sentiment for water, for its folds, wrinkles, and ripples, and—as I am a Northerner—for its grayness. I simply think that water is the image of time, and every New Year's Eve, in a somewhat pagan fashion, I try to find myself near water, preferably near a sea or an ocean, to watch the emergence of a new helping, a new cupful of time from it. […] I am looking for either a cloud or the crest of a wave hitting the shore at midnight. That, to me, is a time coming out of water, and I stare at the lace-like pattern it puts on the shore, not with gypsy-like knowing but with tenderness and with gratitude.

Perhaps because he was exiled from his own country, Joseph Brodsky romances the notion of possession. He suggests he would never possess Venice. Venice does not exist within him. It exists apart from him. "A departure from this place always feels final; leaving it behind is leaving it forever."

Maira Kalman opened her book The Principles of Uncertainty by asking, "How can I tell you Everything in my Heart?" By sweeping his pen on these pages, Brodsky illuminates the anonymity of arrival, the sensory beauty of being there, and the separation felt at departure.

But does he 'tell' us Venice? No, no one can.

Ultimately, that is the power of a faraway home. Its separateness. I cannot express what my distant home means because I cannot now reach it. I carry its residue on me, its watermark.

Venice is static, while we are not. It possesses us, not the other way around. Brodsky looked to "simply be" in Venice. It warms my heart that he achieved that upon his death.

Enjoy the beautiful brushstrokes and scenery of Watermark  alongside John Steinbeck's journey of self-discovery taken at the end of his life, Hemingway's self-formation in Paris , and the brief, powerful essay on going nowhere from travel writer Pico Iyer. Or turn to my study of the feeling of home and the alienating features of the memory.

Ellen Vrana

Carnival of Venice – History and Traditions of the World’s Most Illustrious Party

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 4th September 2022

Categories Veneto , Venice

The Carnival of Venice is without a doubt the world’s most illustrious party.

It has a centuries-old history behind its back, unique public events, splendid masquerade balls, and traditions that have influenced carnival celebrations in many different countries..

It’s not surprising then that visiting the Carnival of Venice is a lifelong dream for many.

Finding yourself in the city of water in the midst of Carnevale is a beautiful experience indeed. With its theatrical location at the heart of the Venetian Lagoon, Venice is the perfect stage set.

Groups of people dressed in lavish imaginative costumes and with faces concealed behind traditional Venetian masks perch at Venice’s most iconic spots. Standing still and communicating just with gestures they add a fairytale quality to the city which in itself is already out of this world.

All throughout the Carnival of Venice, public parades and historic events take place. At the centre of it all is the iconic St. Mark’s Square . The large stage erected there reflects the specially selected Carnival theme which changes every year. It’s on this stage that the culmination of all public Carnevale celebrations is achieved.

This is where the Twelve Maries stand on after walking all across Venice just as they did back in the 10th century. And this is where the Angel of the Venetian Carnival steps on after her exhilarating flight down from the top of the 99 meters high St. Mark’s Bell Tower.

I had long wanted to experience the Carnival of Venice for myself. The idea of all this visual beauty and deep historic roots was indeed very appealing to me. The first chance that I got, I headed there. It was a drizzly February in 2011 and since then I have returned as often as possible so as to experience il Carnevale di Venezia again and again.

So, in this blog post today, I want to share with you some curious facts about the Carnival of Venice. Delving deep into the history and the traditions of this large-scale event, I will also cover topics such as:

• What is the purpose of the Carnival in Venice?
• What happens at Venice Carnival? and
• Why do they wear masks in Venice during Carnevale ?

I hope that you will find the information provided both interesting and useful. 

Now, put a Venetian mask on (an imaginary one if you don’t have the real thing) and have a look!

Carnival of venice – history and traditions of the world’s most illustrious party, 1. the carnival of venice is almost one thousand years old.

Getting together in the cold months of winter to let loose and have raucous fun is a tradition as old as the world. The ancient Greek and Roman civilisations had their own winter festivals when people sort of lost control and indulged in the pleasures of the flesh.

Bacchanalia, Saturnalia, and Lupercalia are some of the names of these ancient wild celebrations. Their practices dripped through the centuries and influenced in one way or another the medieval cultures on the Old Continent, eventually crystalising in what we nowadays know as the Carnival.   

Great banquets and amusements have been organised in Venice in the last days before Lent since at least the end of the 10th century. Still, the documented story of the Carnival of Venice starts in 1094. This is when the Venetian Doge Vitale Falier signed the first document that has reached us where the precursor of the word Carnival – laxatio carnis – is mentioned. 

By the mid-13th century, Carnival had become a staple in Venetian life. Originally, it lasted from St. Stephen’s Day on 26th December to Shrove Tuesday. It was a period when everyone could conceal his identity behind a mask and give himself with wild abandon to the task of having fun. More than a celebration, Carnival in Venice was a state of mind. In disguise, everyone was equal and everyone could be anyone.

With a mask on, the nobility could avoid scrutiny while the populace – traditionally deprived of participation in the Venetian Republic’s political life – could enjoy the illusion of being empowered.

In the centuries that followed, the Carnival of Venice grew in popularity and the Carnival celebrations became ever more lavish and eccentric. Soon, its fame spread all over Europe and people started to travel to the city of water to see this wondrous festival for themselves.

It all came to an end in 1797 when Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the Serenissima Republic of Venice. He abolished the public celebration of Carnival and forbade the wearing of masks outside. While private masquerade balls kept being organised with some regularity, the Venetian Carnival as a city-wide community event had reached the end of its life.

2. The Carnival of Venice Got A Second Lease of Life

In the two centuries that followed Napoleon’s conquest of Venice, many attempts were made to revive the traditions and the public events of the Historic Venetian Carnival. They didn’t succeed but here are two of the most curious efforts:

• In 1867 , a Carnival celebration took place at St. Mark’s Square and at La Fenice Opera House. It was organised by a group of locals dreaming to reclaim the glory of Venice. So, there was a Carnival parade culminating with the burning at the stake of a large effigy of King Carnival. A host of illustrious guests attended the event. Among them were the Italian patriot and revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and Prince Amedeo – the son of the Italian King Vittorio Emmanuele II and future King of Spain.
• In 1933 , the National Recreation Club – the fascist organisation controlling the leisure activities of Italian adults – made another effort to revive the Venetian Carnival. Although the wearing of masks had been forbidden after the First World War, masks were temporarily allowed for the event.

It was only in 1979 and 1980 that the Carnival of Venice once again became a firm fixture on the Venetian calendar. Spurred by repeated efforts to revive it in the 1960’s and the 1970’s, the Venetians took it upon themselves to give it a new lease of life. For the 1979 edition, for example, there was a rowing competition, a theatrical performance, and a grand ball on St. Mark’s Square. The highlight was the burning on the stake of an effigy of Pantalone – the Venetian character in Commedia dell’Arte who is known as Pantaloon in English.

Pantalone’s name is a corruption of the phrase pianta leone  – literally ‘lion-planting’ or ‘lion-placing’. It refers to the practice of erecting a statue of the Venetian winged lion on top of a tall pillar on the main piazza of all towns that were annexed to the Republic of Venice by means of force or diplomacy. The practice was made fun of by the other Italian states and soon a new character was introduced in the Italian improvisational theatre – Commedia dell’Arte – representing an old miser. Dressed in red, with a black cloak and a crooked nose Pantalone was a merchant and a caricature of the Venetians.

Nowadays, the Carnival of Venice is one of the world’s most well-known and splendid events. Every year, it attracts more than a million people to the city of water. On the days with the main Carnival events, there could easily be more than 150,000 visitors in the historic centre of Venice – about three times the number of permanent residents. The narrow streets easily become bottlenecks and the crowds can be stuck there for hours. All in all, it’s the blight of an otherwise splendid experience.

There is quite a clear distinction between the old and the new Carnival of Venice. The one held between the 11th and the 18th centuries is traditionally referred to as the Historic Carnival or the Carnival of the Serenissima (using the moniker of the Republic of Venice). The modern-day one is known as Carnevale Moderno which is self-explanatory.

3. They Call It Carnival Because…

Carnival is the large exuberant festival that precedes the straight-laced period of Lent. 

Lent requires people to give up meat and all other pleasures of the flesh albeit it culinary or carnal. In the past, when Lent was strictly observed by all, Carnival in a way served as a period of mental and physical preparation for the deprivations ahead. One last hurrah or getting it out of your system before you had to pray, fast, and repent over forty days.

There are many different opinions about the etymology of the word Carnival. The most widely accepted ones rely on this juxtaposition of excess and restraint. As a linguist myself, I found it very interesting to trace the different potential explanations. Here is a summary:

• Carnival as a contraption of  carnis laxatio and carnem levare – Both phrases are Latin in origin and mean ‘to leave meat’ and ‘to put meat away’. Considering that the term carnis laxatio is the one used in the first Venetian document mentioning Carnival that has reached us, this seems to be the most likely etymology. Carnis laxatio originally contracted to carnasciale – nowadays an outdated term for Carnival in the Italian language. Carnem levare gave rise to carnelevarium ,  carnilevaria ,  carnilevamen,  and eventually to carnovale (nowadays outdated) and carnelevale as early as 1130. As a side note, some prefer to interpret carnem as ‘flesh’ (as in the body) rather than ‘meat’ (as in the food) and levare as ‘raise’ or ‘lift up’. As such, carnem levare may imply the carnal pleasures that were very much the order of the day during the Carnival period. For example, the great Italian poet and scholar Giovanni Bocaccio – famous above all for writing the Decameron – apparently, often used the word carnelevare to refer to the male erection.
• Carnival as a contraption of  carrus navalis   – from an ancient Roman religious festival honouring the Egyptian goddess Isis. It was held on 5th March and included a procession (which some see as a precursor to Carnival parades). An integral part of it was to carry a model of a ship called carrus navalis from the local Isis temple to the sea or a nearby river. A contracted  carrus navalis forms Carnavale quite neatly, so this is an interesting theory to know and consider about the provenance of the term. 

4. The Carnival of Venice Used to Last Months

The Modern Carnival of Venice lasts on average two and a half weeks. The main public events are spread throughout this period with the most important ones being:

• Opening night of the Venetian Carnival. This is when a large water parade takes place on Rio di Cannaregio – one of the main canals in Venice. It is a beautiful spectacle with lavishly decorated barges and boats on which acrobats perform gravity-defying acts. The event attracts incredibly large crowds to the point of being difficult to move around.  
• Festa delle Marie – usually on the Saturday before Shrove Thursday;
• Flight of the Angel – usually on the Sunday before Shrove Thursday;
• Flight of the Eagle – usually on the last Sunday of Carnival;
• Flight of the Lion – on the last day of Carnival; and
• Silent Regatta – on the last night of the Venetian Carnival. This is when the electricity along the Grand Canal is switched off and the lavish palaces there are illuminated with thousands of lit candles. Boats draped in black with crews in black then silently glide down the Grand Canal thus symbolising the end of the madness of Carnival and the return to the daily grind.  

All throughout the duration of the Carnival of Venice, there are also masked balls, opera performances, treasure hunts, best mask competitions, a children’s carnival, and many other public and private events.

Phew! That’s a lot! It’s not surprising that they need on average 18 days to do it all.

In the past though, the Carnival of Venice used to be even longer! For example, in 1989 it lasted a month. And back in the 11th-12th centuries, it would start on the Day of St. Stephen on 26th December and go on until Shrove Tuesday. In the centuries that followed, Carnival grew and grew in length.

At one point, it started when the opera houses and the theatres of Venice opened their doors in October, then broke off for Christmas and resumed after Epiphany to last until Shrove Tuesday.

Then, again, masks could be worn at several other times during the year. Not just for reasons of fun but to also provide discretion and anonymity.

5. Masks Are At the Heart of the Venetian Carnival

For many centuries, the Historic Carnival of Venice provided easy access to liberty and equality which were guaranteed by the wearing of masks.

Behind the mask, everyone could be anyone and everyone commanded equal respect. Buongiorno, Siora Maschera! – ‘Good Day, Ms Mask!’ – was the standard greeting addressed to a person wearing a mask as he could be a man or a woman, a pauper or a prince.

As the great social equaliser, the mask gave freedom and helped avoid scrutiny.

The Modern Carnival of Venice upholds the custom of wearing a mask. Nowadays, Venetian masks are predominantly a symbol of beauty and mystery. Handmade and sumptuously decorated, you will find them in artisan shops all around town.

A big portion of the experience of being at the Venetian Carnival is the visual delight of seeing all the masked people standing at different iconic spots. 

From St. Mark’s Square to the Church of San Zaccaria, from Cafe’ Florian to numerous small squares, beautiful maschere – as these people are known – pose for endless photos hidden completely behind elaborate costumes and full-face masks.

They don’t accept payment for posing in public places and come from all over the world. Usually, there are many French, German, and Italian people between them. Many return year after year, each time with an even more splendid costume than the previous Carnival. Often, it has taken them the better part of a year to come up with the idea for it and to make it themselves.

Personally, for me, these maschere  are the true spirit of the Modern Venetian Carnival. I admire the dream that they hold of a beautiful, fairytale Venice. I marvel at the extremes to which they go to design and make a unique costume. I am always astounded by their patience to stand still while surrounded by thousands of people clamouring for a picture with them.

Seeing them makes you want to have a Venetian mask for yourself. Something sumptuous and totally impractical to take home from Venice with you. Something that will bring beauty in your life even on the greyest of days.

It’s quite lucky then that the ancient craft of mask making has been revived in Venice over the last four decades. Nowadays, there are several artisan mask makers in the city of water. Visiting their shops is like finding yourself in a magical world.

If you want to buy your own Venetian mask either to wear or to decorate your home with, then, have a look at this extensive blog post. It gives you all the practical information you need to make the perfect choice:

• Venetian Masks – 10 Things to Know Before You Buy

6. Nothing Stops the Carnival of Venice Unless It’s Cancelled

There is an old Venetian saying that goes like this: Il Carnevale non puo’ essere interrotto.

It basically means that the Carnival of Venice cannot be interrupted no matter what. In the past, the Venetians went to extremes in order not to interfere in any way with the progress of Carnival. To the point that in 1789, when Doge Paolo Renier died on 13th February in the middle of the Carnival, his passing was made public news only on the 2nd March after the celebrations had come to an end.

Unfortunately, when in 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice he didn’t hesitate to commit the greatest transgression – he actually cancelled all public Carnival events and banned masks to be worn outside. 

Since the Carnival’s revival in 1979, it has been running smoothly unless you consider the following instances: 

• In 1991, the Carnival of Venice was cancelled because of the Gulf War.
• In 2013, the public events of the Carnival of Venice were suspended for a day due to the heavy snowfall that had befallen Venice that February. The snow was followed by an exceptionally high acqua alta , too.
• In 2020, the Carnival of Venice was cancelled with two days left to its end due to the escalating Covid-19.

It remains to be seen what is going to happen now in 2021. In principle, the Carnival’s public events should start on 31st of January and last until the 16th of February. At the time of writing this blog post, there is a website which has already announced the Carnival programme for 2021 whereas other official websites so far have simply stated that the programme will be defined on the basis of the Covid-19 emergency trend.

In any case, it would be completely understandable if the Carnival’s public events don’t go ahead this year.    

7. Before Confetti They Used to Throw Perfume-Filled Eggshells at the Venetian Carnival

Throwing confetti with wild abandon is one of the great delights of celebrating the Carnival in Italy in general and Venice in particular. You simply haven’t lived until you have thrown handfuls of colourful tiny pieces of paper at strangers around you while they are doing the same to you.

It unlocks something very primaeval. It removes the fear of being silly in public and it makes you join full-heartedly in the fun.

Nowadays, big bags of confetti in different sizes are sold everywhere for the duration of the Carnival in Italy. At some Carnival events, they even employ confetti cannons! Puff! And you get covered in the tiny itchy things! Only to start grabbing at the confetti in your own bag and throw them thus spreading joy and cheer around.

Well, many centuries before confetti were invented, the Venetians used to throw something else at their Carnival. Namely, perfume-filled eggshells!

Apparently, this was a great flirting technique. For example, if you fancied a certain lady, you could throw rosewater-filled eggshell at her!

However, some Venetian miscreants hidden behind a mask decided that they could throw eggshells filled with ink instead. Not at the ladies of their heart, I hope! This soon became a public hazard and the Venetian Senate had to intervene.

So, a new law was voted in expressly forbidding anyone wearing a mask to throw eggshells! This happened in 1268, by the way! A long, long time ago but the lesson stuck!

In 1979, when the Carnival of Venice was revived, a special ordinance was passed in advance to prevent history from repeating itself. The ordinance forbade the throwing of flour, eggs, and other projectiles by the Carnival celebrants.

Instead, paper confetti (called coriandoli in Italian) took off and to this day they are the most popular and cheapest way to celebrate during the days of Carnival in Venice. 

8. The Carnival of Venice Used to Revel in Some Rather Bloodthirsty Entertainment

Eccentric events and historical reenactments have been the staple of the Carnival of Venice since its inception. Here is a short overview!

In the past, while Carnival lasted between six weeks and several months, traditionally, the main Carnival celebrations took place on Fat Thursday. The focus of all events and performances was Piazzetta San Marco . This is the small but splendid extension that juts out of the majestic St. Mark’s Square.

Nowadays, Piazzetta San Marco is flanked by the pink and white Doge’s Palace on one side and the solemn Sansovino Library on the other. At the start of the Historic Venetian Carnival though it was more of a market place with shacks selling meat and salami there.

Still, for Carnival, they would clear out the square. The Doge would position himself on the small balcony which you can still see on the facade of the Doge’s Palace. The dignitaries and nobility of Venice would stand in a specially erected tribune.

Among the main acts stood out:

• The slaughtering of twelve pigs and a bull – This was done year after year and reenacted an important for Venice historic event. In 1162 the city of water had fought against the patriarchal city of Aquileia (nowadays a town with lots of Roman and early Christian ruins in the northeastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia ). Venetians were victorious and captured the city’s patriarch and his twelve cannons. They brought them to Venice and to humiliate them, the doge dispatched them back to Aquileia commanding them to send back twelve pigs and one bull in their place. The animals were tried in the Ducal court, sentenced to death and slaughtered. Then the dignitaries of Venice entertained themselves by destroying wooden models of the castles and fortifications that were allies to Aquileia. The practice of beheading the animals with one clean strike in the midst of the Carnival celebrations survived more or less until the middle of the 16th century. This is when the Venetian society started favouring more refined forms of entertainment.
• A military dance called moresca – it was performed with daggers or wooden sticks by the workers in Venice’s shipyard Arsenale. 
• Forze d’Ercole (in English, Hercules’ Labours) – these were acrobats forming human pyramids which seemingly defied the laws of gravity and were very popular. Many other balance games were performed, too. Some would require that a person stood with his feet on two gondolas and then held up to three people on his shoulders and his head.

In addition, at different spots around the city, you could also see fistfights. These were held on bridges with no railings so that the losing party would end in the cold waters of the canals.

Especially popular were the fights between the warring family clans of the Castellani and the Nicolotti. They lived on the opposite sides of the Grand Canal and the tensions between them started even before their ancestors had moved to the islands in the Venetian Lagoon to escape the Barbarian Invasions on the mainland.

The Ponte dei Pugni (literally, Bridge of Fists) in the Venetian sestiere of Dorsoduro is where some of the most ferocious battles took place. Nowadays, you can see on the bridge the marks where the warring men had to place their feet while waiting for the signal to start the fistfight. 

Ox hunts held at different spots around Venice were another popular Carnival event. The oxen were incited and dangerously agitated. Then a pack of dogs was set upon them. The aim was for the dogs to shred to tears the ears of the bulls. The bloodshed would excite the spectators and be perceived as a symbol of fertility. Hence the oxen – wounded and heavily bleeding – would be presented to the maidens of Venice. It was a reference to their future weddings with the hope that they would produce the male heirs to upheld and increase the glory of the Serenissima Republic of Venice.

9. The Carnival of Venice Sends an Angel Flying Down a Steel Rope

The Volo dell’Angelo (in English, Flight of the Angel) is without a doubt the absolute highlight of the Modern Carnival of Venice.

This is when a beautiful girl is suspended from a steel line and then slides slowly and graciously between the top of the 99 metres high St. Mark’s Bell Tower to the main Carnival stage at St. Mark’s Square. It’s breathtaking to watch and thousands of people flock to see it to the point that the square becomes a huge sea of faces looking upwards.

This daredevil performance has its origins in the Volo del Turco – a tightrope act performed at the Historic Carnival of Venice since 1558. In it, an acrobat walked from the top of the same bell tower to a boat anchored in the water lapping the Piazzetta San Marco. The act owes its name to the fact that the first tightrope walker to attempt it was Turkish. 

Historic sources also state that sometimes, the Volo was performed by a child sitting in a basket. The basket was then lowered down a pulley from the bell tower to the balcony of the Doge’s Palace. Once safely arrived, the child would present the Doge with a poem and flowers.

They say that the acrobat performing the Volo del Turco was secured by rings to the cord. At some point, he started wearing a pair of wings, too. However, in 1759, the acrobat tragically fell to his death. From then onwards and until the end of the Historic Carnival in 1797, Venetians resorted to using a wooden dove to glide down the rope while releasing flowers and candy over the crowd below.

With the start of the Modern Carnival of Venice, the tradition was revived. Nowadays, it is performed by a beautiful girl safely attached to the steel rope. The girl is dressed in a splendid costume reflecting the Carnival theme which changes every year.

The Flight of the Angel quickly became such a popular event that a second flight was introduced in recent years. It’s known as the Flight of the Eagle and it’s performed by a famous Italian personality on the last Sunday before the end of Carnevale .

There is also a third flight performed down the steel rope. Called the Flight of the Lion it takes place on the last day of the Carnival. This is when a huge Venetian flag is slowly lowered from the top of St. Mark’s bell tower to the Carnival stage thus symbolising the end of yet another Carnival. 

10. The Carnival of Venice Gave Us the Word for Marionettes

While string puppets have been around for millennia, many claim that it was the Carnival of Venice that gave us a name for them: Marionettes!

If you look at the programme of the Modern Carnival, you will notice that the Festa delle Marie is one of the central events on it. This is when twelve of the most beautiful girls from the islands in the Venetian Lagoon walk from the Basilica of San Pietro in the sestiere of Castello all the way to St. Mark’s Square. It’s a big and splendid parade. Along the way , the girls are carried on large wooden boards supported on the shoulders of young and strapping Venetian men.

The event’s historic roots pre-date those of the Venetian Carnival. Back in 943, twelve girls were kidnapped from the Basilica of San Pietro by Istrian pirates. The girls were from the poorest families in Venice and the Doge had gifted them lavish dowries and jewels to make it possible for them to marry. Accompanied by their families and the Venetian nobility, the girls were at the Basilica of San Pietro to take part in a mass in celebration of the Purification of the Virgin Mary.

When the pirates grabbed the girls and their dowries, the Venetians pursued them relentlessly. They reached the pirates near the small town of Caorle on the Adriatic coast, killed them and threw their bodies in the sea. Then, they returned victorious to Venice bringing back the twelve girls and the stolen riches.

Since then, the Feast of the Twelve Maries was celebrated with great pomp for centuries. The feast took place between the 31st January and the 2nd February which coincided with the Day of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. 

With the advent of the Venetian Carnival, the Feast of the Twelve Maries was absorbed in it and soon became one of the main Carnival events. Each year, twelve poor girls were chosen to be gifted dowry and jewels by the Doge. Afterwards, they took part in a parade through the streets of Venice and feasted at the Doge’s Palace.

In 1349, a decision was taken to replace the girls with wooden dolls. Apparently, it was felt that the Feast of the Maries had become more of an occasion to meet the girls up close and personal rather than a celebration of the glory of Venice and the Purification of the Virgin Mary.  

Venetians, outraged by the change, soon took it upon themselves to throw eggs, rotten fruit and vegetables onto the wooden dolls. The event soon lost its veneer of respectability and was suppressed in the second half of the 14th century. Although the feast stopped being celebrated, it left us a linguistic reference. They say that the word marionette was inspired by the wooden dolls that stood in for the Twelve Maries.

With the re-birth of the Modern Carnival of Venice, the Feast of the Twelve Maries has been restored, too. The event is a bit like a beauty pageant inspired in the Middle Ages. Girls from all around the Venetian Lagoon apply to take part. The chosen Twelve Maries then spent the Carnival period taking part in many different events and masked balls. At the end of Carnevale , one of them is coronated a winner. Her biggest prize is that she becomes the Angel who flies down from the top of St. Mark’s Bell Tower during the following year’s edition of the Carnival of Venice. 

11. The Carnival of Venice Has A Sweet Tooth  

You cannot come to the Carnival of Venice and not taste its traditional sweets. Just like  Carnevale they also have a long and illustrious history that spanns several centuries back in time.

You will find the Carnival sweets sold in every self-respecting patisserie and cafe in Venice. Don’t be shy! Help yourself to a second and a third one!

Here they are in all their fried and sugary glory, the traditional sweets of the Venetian Carnival: 

• Frittella – imagine a ball of perfectly fried chewy dough that is beautifully dusted with sugar which has half-melted into the crust. This is the traditional Venetian frittella that makes you fall in love with it at first bite. Carnival frittelle can be simply studded with juicy raisins and crumbly pinenuts. Or stuffed with thick creme patisserie, lavish chocolate spread, sinful zabaione or a very popular in Venice creme chantilly. Not to be missed!
• Galani (also known as Crostoli ) – these are thin and fragile strips of dough that have been deep-fried in very hot oil and then dusted with icing sugar. They have a very delicate taste and tend to crumble lots but are strangely addictive.
• Favette (also known as Castagnole ) – these are small fried balls made of butter, sugar, and eggs. They can be either plain or stuffed with creme patisserie. They are very easy to eat a whole bowl of. You start with one and then you pick another one and then before you know it, they are all gone.

12. The Carnival of Venice is Not the Only One in the Venetian Lagoon

Carnival is a big celebration all over Italy. And while the Carnival of Venice is one of the largest and most well-known Carnivals in the world, Venice is not the only place with a Carnival in the Venetian Lagoon.

For a smaller and some would say more authentic celebration head to the islands of Lido, Murano, and Burano. The locals there stage their own events with masquerades and parades with paper-mache figures.

In fact, the Carnival on Burano precedes the modern-day one in Venice. While efforts were made to revive the Carnival of Venice, all the way through the 1970’s Burano celebrated its own Carnival and even inspired the resurgence of a Carnival on the island of Murano.  

In Conclusion

The Carnival of Venice is one of the world’s most famous Carnival celebrations. With a thousand-year-old history behind its back, it is a lavish festival with many public events inspired by ancient traditions. 

The above blog post lifts the veil over the history and the traditions of the Carnival of Venice. It also provides you with an outline of the most important public events that take place during the Modern Carnival of Venice.

I hope that you enjoyed reading it!

While I don’t have a connection in any capacity with the Carnival of Venice apart from being a long-life admirer of the event, my interest in history and traditions and my memories of spending time at the public Carnival events spurred me to write this blog post. My hope is that the more people know about the past, the better they are prepared to enjoy the present and to make use of every opportunity that presents itself to them, albeit an opportunity to travel to the Carnival in Venice as and when this is safely possible again.

At present and with everything that happened in 2020, we don’t know exactly how the Carnival in Venice is going to progress. Yet, it’s always interesting to look back on what happened in the past. As if there is a lesson to be learned from it is that everything eventually passes but traditions that have developed over many centuries always find a way to resurface in people’s minds and intentions for the future.

Here is looking forward to many future editions of the Carnival of Venice one way or another!

More helpful links.

• Hidden Gems in Venice – 101 Things to Do in Venice, Italy Off the Beaten Track
• Venice, Italy – 15 Weird and Wonderful Types of Boats You Can Only See in La Serenissima
• Arco del Paradiso – Finding Paradise in the Sestiere of Castello, Venice
• Exploring Venice – Rialto Fish Market
• Exploring Venice – Moretta – The Mute Mask
• 11 of the Best Day Trips from Venice (With Lots of Photos, Travel Times and Italy Train Tips)
• Video of Ca’ Macana – A Renowned Venetian Mask Maker and Mask Shop

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Friday 19th of February 2021

Very interesting to read the history of Carnival of Venice. Thanks

Thursday 25th of February 2021

Thank you! I'm glad you found it of interest. Best wishes,

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