To the left of the old church is the platform for the water taxis which are stationed along the Grand Canal and can get you basically anywhere you want to go. Then you go on foot from there throughout the unique streets, passing over 177 canals and 400 bridges!
The water taxi with St. Mark's Square behind. After taking the water taxi, our adventures began inside this unique city. So many memories of Venice, but the ones I will probably remember most:
All of the unique buildings along the waterways, all with boats tied out front. As you look at the poles where the boats are tied, you can see some painted that look like barber poles. Anciently, these represented the families that owned them.
Going to St. Mark's Square
Seeing the Bell Tower.
Standing outside Doge's Palace.
I was amazed at how few pigeons there were this time. Last time we were there, we could hardly move without them all around us.
But, of course, George found the Italian pigeons and had to make his "pigeon" call to them. Somehow it sounds just like his squirrel call or his gator call! Anyway, it always gets a response no matter what the animal!
Going on the inside of Doge's Palace. The Doge was the leader of the Republic of Venice for over a thousand years and was elected for life. He ruled in great splendor, but he basically was just a figure-head, being limited by other controlling groups.
Inside the Palace.
Inside the Palace were courtrooms where a prisoner was led directly to the jail across this walkway which was called "The Bridge of Sighs." It was said that people could hears the sighs as the condemned were led to prison after being found guilty.
Going down the stairs to the old prison which they said was very cold in winter and extremely hot in summer.
Another interesting item we saw on both the outside and the inside of the Palace was "The Mouth of Secret Accusations." This is where anyone could put an anonymous note telling about someone they knew breaking the law, such as not paying their taxes. Interesting, huh!
We weren't able to go inside St. Mark's Basilica because of arriving late there with our group, but if you go to my sister's blog, you will see and learn more about it, especially interesting is the information of why it is called St. Mark's.
We had been seeing the gondolas all day, and I could hardly wait for our turn. We hadn't ridden them on our last visit, so this was going to be the highlight, I felt!
I was continually noticing the front of the gondolas which all have the same metal hood, as they called it. Our guide told us that the six horizontal lines represent the six districts of Venice, and the curved top represents the Doge's strange cap.
It was now our time to ride the gondolas, but again our group arrived late and the gondoliers had gone home. There was a whole lot of Italian flying around as the head gondolier had to get them all back for our group of over 30 people.
Waiting for the gondoliers.
When we finally got on, it was only meant for one couple, so George sat on a straight-backed chair, and I sat on a little stool.
The gondolier didn't have his striped shirt on--maybe underneath his coat because it was a little chilly, but he either just stood there, or was yelling to the gondolier in front of him. No singing whatsoever!!!
It was dark by the time we rode, so we didn't get too many great shots, but hopefully you get the idea.
Going under so many bridges!
The gondolas ride wasn't exactly as I had envisioned, but I was in Venice--so who's complaining! Hah!
To see many more pictures of Venice, plus to learn so much more about the city's history, go to my sister's blog at:
http://sixgirlsoneboy.blogspot.com/2012/03/venice-day-5.html
To see many more pictures of Venice, plus to learn so much more about the city's history, go to my sister's blog at:
http://sixgirlsoneboy.blogspot.com/2012/03/venice-day-5.html
1 comment:
You are right....there is nothing a person does not like about Venice. I love your gondola pictures! Next time we are going with you to our favorite city!!
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