Friday, September 5, 2014

VENICE

 
Venice:  a cornucopia of architectural delights and sensory overload..
we arrived in the evening, our introduction a water taxi ride along the Grand Canal...
 
 
Nothing really prepared us for the astonishing array of palaces lining the waterways, a collection of antique, slightly decayed, wonders..
 
 
culminating in the Doge's palace, 3 doors along from our hotel.
 
 
Beautiful St Mark's Basilica, unfortunately (for us) partially shrouded for restoration.
 
 
 
Inside: photography forbidden, but so many people ignored this, that at the end I did a couple of quick ones as we left the building.
Gold mosaics, breathtaking... astonishing...
 
 
An elegant relief sits above an arch at the back of our hotel..
right by a bar and several trattoria..
 
 
Detail of a beautiful Bellini, in a church about 20 metres from our door..
 
 
 
An ancient water fountain runs day and night outside our window:
modern tourists fill their water bottles..
 
 
The winged lion of St Mark, patron saint of Venice..
 
 
We walk and walk, along the alleys and canal paths..
 
 
and found our way to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection,
a chic array of early and mid 20th century abstract and surrealist art:
 
 
Kandinsky..
 
 
Man Ray..
 
 
Delauney
 
 
Brancusi
 
and on to the Academie and back to Tintoretto and Giordano..
 
 
We enjoyed a concert at Ateneo di San Basso:
Vivaldi, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini - what bliss!
 
There are far too many tourists, many of them Australians..
there are gypsies and pedlars, beggars and thieves, touts and rogues..
 
and I have fallen in love with this intriguing, fascinating and sumptuously gorgeous city.
 
 
XXXX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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20 comments:

  1. BerylSeptember 5, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    Your descriptions and pictures are so wonderful that I read this twice. Glad you are having such a great time!

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 2:27 AM

      Thanks Beryl; reading twice is a special compliment. Off to Padua today to see Giotto.

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  2. Sarah LizSeptember 6, 2014 at 12:52 AM

    I was just amazed at how everyday life was conducted in Venice - boats coming up to houses to deliver things, police boats with sirens (one went past at high speed when I was watching) ambulance boats and so on. But as you say, Venice is also an old centre of culture. You have bought back pleasant memories, and I am glad you are creating more of your own as well.

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 2:32 AM

      We are fascinated too Sarah. Today we watched garbage collection, other days construction workers all pushing carts and barrows- amazing city.

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  3. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 2:22 AM

    You and your camera would have the best time Val...

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  4. Jane and Lance HattattSeptember 6, 2014 at 2:34 AM

    Hello Patricia,

    Venice is just the most magical of cities. So much to see that overload is very easily achieved. But, to walk the streets and to get list in them issues definitely the way to see Venice and what is always amazing to us is that if one ventures into Canareggio, then one can leave the crowds behind.

    You look to be having the most wonderful adventure. Enjoy every minute. How we wish we were there!

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 9:41 AM

      What fun it would have been if you also were in Venice! Now in Padua, having a drink before our evening visit to Giotto's Arena chapel- magical indeed Jane 'n Lance.

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  5. kristieinbcSeptember 6, 2014 at 7:24 AM

    I can almost hear Vivaldi playing in the background when I read your post, Patricia. I smiled when I read that St. Mark's was partially covered for restoration. It was like that when, as newlyweds, my husband and I were there in 1980. I wonder if this is still the same restoration, or a restoration of the restoration. So happy you are having a grand time on your holiday!

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 9:44 AM

      Aha that is amusing Kristie and what a fantastic place to honeymoon! I tend to think restoration is a continuous process in Venice.

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  6. Amy at love made my homeSeptember 6, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    I am SO glad that you are having such an amazing time!!!!! Venice looks so beautiful, if you are enjoying yourself half as much as we enjoyed Sorrento last year you are having the time of your lives!! xx

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 6, 2014 at 12:19 PM

      Indeed we are Amy; just been to see the Giotto Arena chapel. So amazing and as lovely as I imagined. Three cheers for mr cardinal who made it all possible :)

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  7. Roses, Lace and BrocanteSeptember 7, 2014 at 4:34 AM

    Oh Patricia, I'm with you in Venice!!!!
    Everything about it is beautiful and i can't wait to get back and experience it all again.
    I still remember sitting in St Mark's square on dusk, enjoying an aperitif and thinking I could stay here forever.
    Did you have a coffee at the Florian?
    ENJOY it all - you will have beautiful memories for a lifetime.
    love
    Shane x

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    1. PatriciaSeptember 7, 2014 at 9:25 AM

      Oops forgot the Florian but did feel exactly the same , in time and place. Now enjoying Padua also very nice. Florence tomorrow! Xxx

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  8. DarlaSeptember 7, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Not a hard place to fall in love with. I remember the Peggy Guggenheim collection and have lots of memories of the rest of the city. Glad you have a chance to enjoy it.

    Darla

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  9. KathySeptember 7, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    A lovely overview of glorious Venice, Patricia. I'm so glad you walked and walked - quite the best way to get the real feel of Venice. :) You obviously had the most wonderful time.

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  10. JaniceSeptember 8, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    One of the wonderful things about Venice is that no matter how crowded St Marks square is..... you only have to walk for a few minutes...and you will find deserted streets that are full of the most stunning architecture, churches full of outrageously magnificent frescoes and the odd painting worth multi millions by Titian or Tintoretto. I love the city, and am so pleased you have loved it too.

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  11. metteSeptember 8, 2014 at 5:05 AM

    Thank you for sharing Venice with us. A great way to see the best of the best, in your company : )!

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  12. sandaSeptember 8, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    Venice must seem like a fairyland of dreams were it not for tourists with cell phones and sneakers I'm sure you could imagine you are taking a step back in Time. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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  13. PatriciaSeptember 10, 2014 at 12:31 PM

    Thank you friends for your comments and encouragement. We are enjoying it all, though it can be tiring. It is very much like a trip back in time, coming from the land down under!

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  14. VallypeeSeptember 13, 2014 at 12:25 AM

    Lovely, lovely Venice. Thank you for these photos! You are right about it being too full of tourists, but it is still precious!

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