Stop 13 Venezia: Queen of the Adriatic Sea and Water City
🇮🇹The name "Venice" comes from the ancient Venetian people who lived in the area in the tenth century BC. The city was historically the capital of the Republic of Venice. At that time, the city was considered the first truly international financial center, but it began to decline in the 15th century. The city of Venice is located on the shallows of the Venetian Lagoon, divided by an inverted S-shaped canal. It consists of 118 small islands connected by 177 waterways and 401 bridges. They are connected by boats and vehicles are not allowed to enter. Therefore, it has many beautiful names such as "Water City", "Bridge City" and "City of Masks". The water in Venice has endowed the city with endless tenderness and romance, making it radiate an indescribable dreamy beauty. Every drop of water seems to carry the memory of history, telling the legendary story of the city. Take a "water taxi" to wander along the rippling Grand Canal and start a rhythmic journey in the water kingdom (unfortunately, it's cold in winter, so the unique gondola will have to be left for next time)! : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Another representative is the "Doge's Palace" in St. Mark's Square: it used to be the highest administrative body and court of the Republic of Venice from the 8th to the 18th century, and it was also the residence of the Doge of Venice; the current building was mainly built between 1309 and 1424. The building is now open as a museum together with the Bridge of Sighs and the prison. Another Baroque marble palace by the canal, Ca' Pesaro, now houses the Venice Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Oriental Art. Friends who love collecting should not miss the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which was bought by American celebrity Peggy Guggenheim in 1948 as her private residence. Her ashes were also buried here after her death. The building and her collection were eventually donated to the Guggenheim Foundation to establish an art museum with an area of 4,000 square meters. The exhibits in the museum include Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism works. Built in 1509 on the Grand Canal, the magnificent "Windramine Palace" is a shining example of Renaissance architecture. It was once the residence of nobility and royal families. One of its most famous residents was composer Richard Wagner, who died here in 1883. In order to commemorate Richard Wagner, the Wagner Museum was opened here in 1995, and there is also a Wagner-themed restaurant. The building overlooks the Grand Canal and is very eye-catching with a huge red sign. When you turn back at the scenic pointed corner between the entrance of the Grand Canal and the San Marco Harbor in the lagoon, you will see the Basilica of Santa Maria del Salvatore, one of the most photogenic churches in Italy for its gorgeous and decorative unique appearance and geographical location. The church was completed in 1687 and is a masterpiece of Venetian Baroque architecture. The next bridge is of course the century-old bridge on the canal: the Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges across the Grand Canal. It was built in 1591 in the Renaissance style and is also known as the "White Elephant". Shakespeare's work "The Merchant of Venice" was written based on this bridge. It has been the most popular place in Venice since ancient times. There are shops and stalls on both sides of the bridge, and it is also a major tourist attraction in Venice. Standing in the middle of the bridge is a great angle to take pictures of the Grand Canal, and the best place to view the bridge is on a boat touring the canal. The second bridge on the canal, the Academy Bridge, was completed in 1854. It was originally a steel structure bridge. After being damaged, it was rebuilt into a wooden bridge in 1930. It was rebuilt again in 1985 due to structural instability and has remained in this condition ever since. However, the most popular bridge in Venice is not on the Grand Canal, but the "Bridge of Sighs" across the Palace River. It was named after the British poet and "the master of romantic literature" Lord Byron; the bridge was completed in 1600 and is of early Baroque style. The closed arch bridge is shaped like a house, and the upper dome is covered and tightly closed. There are only two small windows on the stone beam on the canal side. It connects the interrogation room of the Ducal Palace in Venice and the old prison. When death row prisoners pass this bridge, they sigh for the end of their lives. There is a local legend: a kiss under the Bridge of Sighs will seal the relationship for life; I personally feel that a bridge with such a heavy historical background may find it difficult to carry such a beautiful vision. There are two important tourist islands outside the main island of Venice. Starting from the F.te Nove "D" pier near St. Mark's Square, take a 10-minute boat ride to Murano "Glass Island", and then take a 35-minute boat ride from Glass Island to Burano "Color Island"; Murano is famous for making colorful glassware, especially brushed thermoplastics. Going to the Murano Glass Factory to watch the glass masters blow glass products on the spot is one of the essential projects for tourists visiting Venice for the first time. There is a Murano Glass Museum in Piazza Giusti. Burano was originally a small fishing village. Although it later became famous for its handmade lace textile industry, the reason why tourists must visit the island and check in is that it is named "Color Island" because of the colorful houses closely connected on both sides of the water. As for why the houses are painted in colors, the more acceptable inference is that it is to allow fishermen who go out to sea to distinguish their own houses when they return through the thick fog. Because it is the winter off-season for tourism, most shops on the two islands are closed. So when we return from the canal tour, we head directly to the Colorful Island. The bright sunshine and blue sky and white clouds complement each other. The colorful houses and the bright boats moored on the river are like a beautiful painting. With few tourists, you can fully experience this rare tranquility and beauty. The last stop is the landmark of Venice, "Piazza San Marco": it was first built in the 9th century and has always been the city's political, religious and festival center. It is also the most popular tourist attraction. The square is surrounded by exquisite Renaissance buildings, including the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Bell Tower, the old and new executive residence buildings, the Napoleon Wing connecting the two buildings, and the St. Mark's Library. The square is surrounded by the Grand Canal of Venice and forms a quadrilateral. French Emperor Napoleon once praised it as "the most beautiful living room in Europe." If you come here when the sea water is high tide and floods the square, you can sit in the cafe or bar in the arcade of the square, sip tea while listening to the live band playing wonderful music, or jump into the water barefoot and dance to the music. It is extremely romantic! Café Florian, also known as Café de Flore, is one of the oldest coffee houses in 🇮🇹. It opened in 1720 and has not only received Venetian nobles, ambassadors, merchants, writers and artists, but also citizens of Venice. As the only coffee house that allowed women to visit at that time, many famous people have sought their partners here. In the mid-18th century, Café de Flore expanded to four rooms, including the Hall of Fame, which has portraits of ten Venetian celebrities, including Marco Polo and Titian. In 2015, Café de Flore entered Asia, with its first store in Suzhou, 🇨🇳. Sitting here and slowly sipping cappuccino and tiramisu, the trip to Venice came to a sweet end.