Meandering in Venice, Italy

Meandering in Venice

If there is any city in the world where meandering is necessary, then it must be Venice. I’m sure you all know that the city of Venice is built on an island. A causeway connects the island to the mainland. In visiting the famous city we based ourselves at Camping Village Venice. We chose this site for its proximity to the city. A ten minute bus ride from outside the side entrance to the campground, then across the causeway to the Venice bus station. From there you can meander this city for hours (and hours and hours).

When you get off the bus you will be at the Constitution Bridge. Walk over the bridge and you will know exactly where you are. There is no place like it. From there you have a 35 minute, 2.7km walk to St Mark’s Square. We took a bit longer (meandering sometimes substitutes for getting slightly lost), but we got to take in some sights on the way, and a coffee. The Bridge takes you down into a main square just opposite the railway station. Directly opposite the San Simeone Piccolo church.

Your Bus Number 5. It goes to the airport and right past the Camp Site

Masquerade Masks

We were sort of mesmerized by the canals and the gondolas so just started clicking as we walked through the narrow street of Venice. Having to pinch ourselves every now and then to ensure this was all real. So what stood out? First thing, was the masks, the Masquerade mask shops. Who remembers “Phantom of the Opera” such a sad story. The Masquerade mask is popular as a souvenir of Venice and you will see plenty in the shops during your visit, but not many options for storage in our caravan, so we have photos of masks instead. Meandering in Venice.

Canals and Gondolas

So let’s get back to what we all come to see in Venice apart from St Marks Square. Gondolas. It costs 80 euros for a 30 minute ride so the more the merrier eh? Not really… max 5 passengers. We didn’t do the ride cos we are too miserly. It’s mainly for the tourists anyway and of course we aren’t tourists, we’re travel bloggers 😂. And the other thing we come to experience? It’s also the bridges over the canals that are so elegant. By the way our leisurely meandering (urhh getting lost) meant we crossed a LOT of bridges, some of which somehow seemed to look the same. Love the ones which go right to the entrance or back door of a building, or a little deck landing area for the comings and goings of the occupants. Meandering in Venice

Did you know that there were 10,000 gondolas of various types in Venice in 1500 and in 1880 around 4000, today approximately 280 with 400 licensed Gondoliers. The cost of a modern day gondola is estimated at 40,000 euros. Licenses are not normally available and were passed down, but they do change hands. Previously to get a license you needed to pass quite a difficult exam. So prospective gondoliers take note.

Fashion

With any large tourist city you will aways find the fashion labels. Venice is no exception. They just look a little out of place in this canal city. Italian shoes have always been something that is loved around the world so thought it best to include a picture. Italian leather is another and the gloves pictured also have a cashmere lining, classy colourful and cosy-warm.

St Marks Square

Eventually we made it to St Marks Square and what a history. Yes History… so here we go. The first patron saint of Venice was St Theadore, a Greek warrior and the first chapel dedicated to him was the first chapel of the Doge (Chief of State or Lord). Probably built around 820 and stood near the present site of St Marks.

Mark came along as the author of the gospel of St Mark. Mark is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria (one of the most important Episcopal Sees in the history of Christianity). His feast is celebrated on the 25th of April each year and his symbol is the Winged Lion. So what happened next? Well around 830 relics of St Mark were stolen from Alexandria and brought to Venice. And in time the Venetians and the Doge adopted the Apostle as their new Patron. No, that’s not all, more to come.

The relics of the apostle would increase the importance of the city and the acquisition was a further step in the gradual process of freeing Venice from the dominance of the Byzantium (Greeks). The relics were temporarily placed in the palace of the Doge. A gentleman called Justinian Parteapacius provided in this will for a new church to be built. The first church of St Mark’s. By 836 construction was sufficiently advanced for the relics to be moved in there. The design of the church was based on the church of the twelve apostles in Constantinople (Istanbul) – hopefully another stopover for #anotherdaymeandering

During a rebellion in 976 the Doge Palace and the Church were set on fire. The church was not completely destroyed and was rebuilt much as before.

But in 1063 a complete rebuild commenced. The new church was finished during the time of Vitale Faller (32nd Doge of Venice) 1084-1095. And in this main structure is the present church. Great changes to the area came when Sebastiano Ziani was Doge (1172-78). Venice was growing in importance and the Doge was a very wealthy man. He instigated changes which created the Piazza as we know it today. Meandering in Venice.

The Bridge of Sighs

The bridge of Sighs was built between the Venetian courthouse in the Doge Palace and the Jail. Prisoners were taken across this bridge for internment or execution. From it they took their last view of Venice and the outside world, hence the name, Bridge of Sighs. I found it interesting that the bridge design included two separate passages to and from the courthouse. This was so that the prisoners were not able to see or communicate with each other. It is also said that if two lovers kiss in a gondola under the bridge at sunset, they will be lovers forever.

Souvenirs

So what type of souvenir do you want to take home? Leather handbags and shoes are popular, as are the masquerade masks. Here are some more unusual types. Jewelry is very popular and you can pick up some lovely hand made pieces by local artists. The beautiful piece shown has no price listed but the necklace is diamond with matching earnings and elephant brooch. I will leave you to work out the price, we weren’t game to ask. Fabian wanted to but just run away (hehe). I would have settled for the antique pen set at 29 euros. .

Great writing set for less than 30 euros

Best Tourism Sites

We like to help you discover Venice for yourself so we have added in some of Italy’s official sites that will give you more information.

http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/veneto.html

https://www.venice-tourism.com/en

Moven On

Venice was one highlights of our European travels. There will be others as we are set to catch the ferry from Venice to Igoumenitsa just opposite the Greek island of Corfu. The ferry cost us 655 euros for a private cabin, Car and Caravan. And the covid tests cost us three quarters of a day… The trip takes 26 hrs. So thats all til next time.

We use Euro-camping (ACSI) membership card for campsite recommendations and of season discounts. Click on the picture to learn more.

Post Quote

“All aspects of fear are untrue because they do not exist at the creative level, and therefore do not exist at all. To whatever extent you are willing to submit your beliefs to this test, to that extent are your perceptions corrected. In sorting out the false from the true, the miracle proceeds along these lines: Perfect love casts out fear. If fear exists, Then there is not perfect love. But: Only perfect love exists. If there is fear, It produces a state that does not exist. Believe this and you will be free. Only God can establish this solution, and this faith is His gift. – Foundation for Inner Peace.