..A report on a city visit. In layman's terms. Not based on scientific foundations..
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Let’s start the day at the Piazza Le Roma vaporetto station. Choose the route that follows the Canal Grande line, so it goes through Rialto – Academia – San Marco. Inside the water bus, you won’t see much; go to the front or back of the boat! The St. Mark’s Square is easily recognizable, with its enormous obelisk. On two corners of the square, you’ll find the San Marco and San Marco – Zaccaria vaporetto stations; either one is fine.
Prepare for a long queue in front of the Doge’s Palace. By the way, your entrance fee will be more expensive than your dinner. Just a heads-up.
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..The Bridge of Sighs connects the two buildings of the palace. Why sighs? Prisoners sighed here as they crossed to the second building, the prison, after the judgment. Quite disappointing for such a romantic photo theme, isn’t it?.
..By the way, don’t take the iconic selfie from the side facing the harbor; instead, bypass the palace and the basilica. If you take photos on the bridge behind the basilica, the sea will be the background, not the shadows of the buildings..
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After climbing all three levels, you’ll find heaven in the basement – in the form of a green pastry. Pistachio melts in your mouth with dark pastry bases. Let yourself go; the waiters are already below the threshold of irritation. The sound of happy sighs. Anyway, we’re just below the Bridge of Sighs :).
..You’ll find quality souvenirs in the palace museums, but don’t buy them here; go to the other building, where the selection is likely more extensive. This will be the rear part of the square. Opposite the cathedral, under the distant arcades. It may look deceptive from the outside, but actually, the whole row of buildings facing the harbor belongs to the museum. So, after the three hours spent, we’re only halfway through the exhibition. Here, you’ll find rooms richly furnished with objects. The interior architecture (here) is also noteworthy….
..(You won’t take selfies here. Due to the reflection of light, all your portraits will be unflattering. Rather, have another cookie and promote that.).
..If you’ve snapped a panorama picture for the likes from the café window, let’s take a closer look..
ST. MARK’S BASILICA
..Imagine listening to the midnight Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica. Don’t picture the past three hours as a kind of mumbled prayer, as you might in Hungary. They sang, then someone recited something, the ceremony progressed a bit, then some music, followed by a speech from a church official, more singing, more recitation. So, I attended a concert disguised as a Mass. It was an extra joy that for this occasion, they turned on all the lights. When I quasi-touristed in one afternoon, it was dimly lit, with only the main attractions illuminated. This time, the vaulted ceiling was bathed in light. The all-encompassing golden glow truly made me feel like I was not in this world. Then I came to my senses a bit, realized that there really was money behind all this splendor 🙂
I remember a story that said Florence and Venice’s architecture were in constant competition. I think the neighboring Doge had every right to boast because the world hadn’t seen such splendor.
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..Sorry, folks, but don’t expect me to present St. Mark’s Square. In my eyes, it just characterizes the city as monumental and crowded with tourists. Are you really interested in the city? Spend a day in the narrow streets!.
..If we had a refreshment at the Bacaro Jazz bars, let’s head to Ferrovia – on foot. If we stand facing the cathedral, let’s turn left into the narrow streets. Essentially, a walking-shopping route leads back to Ferrovia – in Venetian style. The rule still applies: Following the crowd, we can’t go wrong. Also: Above eye level, mostly blending into the surroundings, we find directional stone tablets. These lead to the orientation points detailed in the first writing. Reading the engraved arrows, Piazza le Roma should be the destination, but Rialto and Ferrovia are also on the same line – so feel free to consider them..
