Kali : Venezia

Who doesn't know where Venice is... or should I ask, who doesn't want to visit Venice?

Venizia (Venice) is a city in nortthestern Italy, composed of 117 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges.

It is one of the most interesting places in the world.

From Milan, we traveled for almost 3 hours via Trenitalia to reach Venizia Santa Lucia train station.

Below is the first photo I took as my feet stepped on Venice.

View in front of Venzia Santa Lucia station | Church of SAN SIMEON PICCOLO AKA SANTI SIMEONE E GUIDA

Because Venice is a lagoon, water taxi is the most comfortable (and expensive) means of transportation...

However, note that Venice, is the world's pedestrian only city; and it will be best to explore when you walk... this is thus my most unforgettable "whole day" walking experience.

And I wish to do it again... :)

From Ferrovia (train station) we walk heading San Marco...

Along the way, I was fascinated by the city's natural beauty; from the old windows, rusted doors, stone walls, the pillars, bridges... these, to me, seems so authentic, so artistic...

PONTE SANTA MARIA NOVA | red brick bridge right in front of Santa Maria dei Miracoli church.

more of Venice's doors, windows and bridges here: Venizia Portes, Fenetres et Ponts

The way to San Maco from Ferrovia isn't just 2 blocks away, it's like going from one end to another... and as what the quote say:

It's not the destination but the journey that matters.

RIALTO MAKET

Rialto Market is on San Polo, the smallest street on Venice; shopping here is less expensive than the other parts of the city.

From the main Rialto, you will enjoy your walk along canals, cross bridges of different shapes and sizes and watch lovers (with budget) on their gondola ride.

Gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is propelled like punting, except and oar is used instead of a pole

It is driven by a gondolier.

Aside from Gondola, there are also vaporetti (water buses) and water taxi that roam around the canals.

PONTE DELLE GUGLIE | a stone, brick bridge that was initially built in 1580; restored in 1641 and 1677, totally rebuilt in 1823 and last restored in 1987. This is one of the 2 bridges in Venice to span the Cannaregio Canal.

View from PONTE DELLE GUGLIE

SCOULA GRANDE DI SAN MARCO | one of the most ancient buildings in Venice, founded in 1261. It was rebuilt in 1487-1488; its sculpture and architectural works were commissioned by Pietro Lombardo;
Today, it is the OSPEDALE CIVILE (City Hospital).

PONTE DEI CONZAFELZI | the bridge has interesting iron casting in its railings that shows Venetian arts.
It over Rio Santa Marina.

CAMPANILE OF SANTI APOSTOLI (Church of the Holy Apostles) | one of the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city from 7th century, located in the Cannariego sestriere. The present building was reconstructed from 1575.

Some more sestriere to pass by and stores to visit...

Few more bridges to cross...

... before we reach Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square)

PIAZZA SAN MARCO | the principal pubic square of Venice right in front of the St. Mark's Basilica. It was constructed during 9th century, enlarged in 1174, paved in bricks in 1267 and replaced by natural stone in 1735.

(photo by WIKIPEDIA)
Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) | commissioned in 1071; built in Venetian - Byzantine style, lies at the end of Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to Doge Palace.

Unfortunately, construction was on going in the facade of Basilica at the time of our visit, hence, my photo cannot give justice to this magnificent architecture... thanks to Google :)

The Basilica has a separate campanile...

CAMPANILE DI SAN MARCO | The bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica
It is 98.6 meter long and stands alone the corner of Piazza San Marco; at the top of the tower sits a golden weather vane in the form of archangel Gabriel. It was built in 1514, and reconstructed in 1912 after it collapsed in 1902.

This open space connecting the south side of Piazza San Marco to the waterway of the lagoon is the PIAZZETA DI SAN MARCO.

LION OF VENICE | an ancient bronze winged lion sculpture which symbolize the city, as well as one of its patron saints, St. Mark. It was erected around 1268.

The lagoon facing the island of SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE

CHURCH OF SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE | 16th centtury Benedictine church on the island of the same name; built between 1566 to 1610. It is a basilica in classic renaissance style above the blue water of the lagoon.

CHURCH OF SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE

PONTE DEI SOSPIRI (Bridge of Sigh) | built in 1600; an enclosed bridge made of white limestone and its windows has stone bars. It passes over Rio di Palazzo that connects the Prigioni Nuove (New Prison) to the interrogation rooms in Doge's Palace.

It was named Bridge of Sigh by Lord Byron because of the idea that the this prisoners would sigh as their final view of Venice though the window before imprisonment...

This is the view.

Bridge in front of Palazzo Ducale - Piazzeta Di San Marco - bridge over the Rio di Palazzo - opposite the Bridge of Sigh

San Marco was the last leg of our Venice tour... then we headed back to Venezia Santa Lucia train station which is in Cannariego.

Here's some more view along the way...

Souvenirs...

Magnets, Stickers, Bands... name it!

The Venetian Mask

More of the Venetian Mask here -- VENETIAN CARNIVAL MASK & GONDOLA

Paintings - Venice

Cannariego is the second largest sestiere by land area in Venice.

PONTE DEI SCALZI (Bridge of the Barefoot) | one of only four bridges in Venice to span the Grand Canal. It connects the sestieri of Santa Croce and Cannaregio. The bridge was completed in 1934.