Italy and the city of Venice

Day 13 in my tour to Europe is Venice. The city has fewer than 70,000 citizens, but is visited by more than 30,000 per summer day. It conists of 17 islands which have 150 canals between them, and some 400 bridges. It's from this city that Marco Polo journeyed to the Far East. Other famous residents included the painters Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto.

Other inspirations in the arts was Gabrieli (two of them) who introduced the idea of 'antiphonal' music in the St. Mark's Basilica. On our tour i'll be able to walk past the church where Vivaldi was baptized.

Some things they told me to learn about are...

San Marco Basilica

Bridge of Sighs (which recieved it's name in the 17th century, because the prioners who passed through it on their way to prison cells on teh other side would most likely see the beautiful sight of the lagoon and the island of S. Giorgio and freedom for the last time... definately a bridege of sighs)

Piazza San Marco

Bell Tower

Gondolas

Doges Palace

Glass Blowers

They also gave me some websites to check out.. so if your curious, here they are.

http://www.venetia.it/ (interesting history secion)

http://www.seguso.it/ (examples of handmade Venetian Glass)

http://www.doge.it/

for venice photos....

www.highrock.com/travel/Europe2001/Venice1.htm

www.tours-italy.com/venice/photos.htm (visitor info as well)

www.photo-exhibits.com/europe/italy/venice_photos/venice_color_photographs.html

Something i was searching that i thought was so cool, is The Carnival. It's one of the oldest internationall know festival celebrated in Venice. It began in the 15th century, but the tradition can be traced back to the 14th century. The Carnival starts around 2 weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday(Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday. The streets are full of people completely dressed out, masks of course included.

I wish i could go but it doesn't take place while we're there, plus it's so costly most locals can't afford to attend.