Grand Canal_Venice, Italy Dec 1st____Local News Dec 3rd: City Underwater!
Sitting in the living room with everyone as I write, all are sharing their thoughts about our day trip to Venice (two hours by train)… David says I should just say about this picture (quite tongue-in-cheek), “Been there. Done that.” (He has a very wry sense of humor… He added, more seriously, that he loves the exquisite decay…)
Billy would have me say, “It’s the most romantic city in the world…but we caught it on a bad-weather day”.
Ken was astounded that this former power of a city is built entirely on pilings in a swamp. The fortitude of the people to build a site like this is without parallel…
The good weather this trip has been a wonderful gift, but we paid our dues in Venice. At least it began that way. The wind blew, bringing the rain down sideways, and we held our umbrellas with two hands. With the inclement weather in mind, we took a long boat ride down the Grand Canal from the train station to St Mark’s Square. Once again, every sight was iconic. We walked through the cathedral, enjoying the interior and getting out of the rain, but by the time we came out, the rain had let up…for the rest of the day. The guys led us through the often-narrow streets and over little canals, every view looking like a recognizable image we’ve all seen over the years. It’s a city unlike any I’ve ever seen, and I was captivated by the details of it, as much as the overall views.
As we talked about it tonight (December 3rd), David brought up a computer article about flooding in Venice just today, showing a picture of two policemen standing thigh-high in hip boots in St Mark’s Square and telling about flooding throughout the city, the highest “aqua alta” in 25 years! We only *thought* it was a bad-weather day Wednesday!
I love Venice and despite the greyness you have captured the beauty of going on the Grand Canal. I stayed by the Rialto bridge when I was there and just loved all the narrow streets that suddenly led you unsuspectingly to a square. This reminds that I really want to go back and take some photo's.
Oh, my gosh!! I cannot believe that you missed the flooding by days! I'm still amazed that this city continues to thrive despite it's location in the "swamp". It truly is an amazing place. I remember meandering down those narrow lanes and passageways and being delighted by the treasures around every corner. It is one of favorite places to "get lost"...because you can never truly be really lost. BTW - You seem rather suspended over the canal in this shot...where were you when you took it? It's just a wonderful, and yes, iconic photo!
@swazette This view is from the Accademia Bridge (Ponte dell'Accademia), a wooden structure that crosses the Grand Canal and the church in the distance is the dome of Santa Maria della Salute. Beautiful location, isn't it?
wow! that still astounds me that the city is still standing.... i would've thought that over time, the water would've eroded the foundations... so amazing...
I loved this city. Great capture of the canal. We stayed at the Hotel Locanda Vivaldi overlooking the canal across from Santa Maria della Salute. Sorry you did not have the best of weather, but it is a very magical place. So glad you are enjoying life in Italy. Have a great holiday.
@andiejaye The water *is* eroding the foundations! We watched a wonderful show on History International about the building of Venice. It's built on millions of pilings, and the marble as the base of the buildings was able to withstand salt water. Over time, Venice has been sinking, and the portions of the buildings above that marble are starting to erode and corrode. Knowing how high that water stands today, we can visualize how much is underwater, shops and homes. They have gates they put up in doorways, but much water must still come through. The news today told people to stay indoors and for tourists to stay away! It's hard to imagine the difference!
We were in Venice around christmas last year during the 8th and 10 highest recorded aqua alta floods. We missed wading, packs on backs, to our hotel by just a couple of hours the first night and woke the next day to find the entrance to our B&B had been submerged in more than a meter of water over night. We didnt have to wade as the high tides happened at about 3/4 am and things were back to normal by each morning but each night were awoken by the eerie "close encounters' warning tones and during the daytime walked the streets on the raised platforms put out to keep feet dry and had to step over the boards in shop doorways. Such an incredible fairytale city! It snowed while we were there too but it washed to muddy sludge by each morning. I'm very jealous :) I'd love to go back one day.
By the way I have a pic just like this. We alked all the way down to Santa Maria Della Salute which was even more freezing inside than out!
@palusami Thank you for the many long notes! Following through your pictures and comments this year, you've obviously traveled much of the world! It's been such fun to swap stories over the pictures this trip; I hadn't imagined how nice that would be at the outset. I've loved hearing from you and the others who've passed this way already!
This is exactly what I picture in my mind when I think of Venice. A beautiful scene. Glad to hear the weather cooperated again for you. It looks amazing.
What a beautiful place - and luck you to have missed the flooding - I love this picture - somehow the grey weather adds to the atmosphere. Thank you for your comment on my picture today - I was just in the process of re-uploading as the first time the colour was so dull so I lost your comment - but I did see it just before it disappeared!
It was raining too when I arrived in Venice a few years ago! Like you we were lucky that it cleared up after a while, we did have to walk over boards in St Mark's, but didn't get our feet wet. I'm glad you missed the flooding and were able to see all those beautiful buildings.
Lovely place and shot.. Had the choice to go to Venice or take a hot air ballon ride over tuscanny a few years ago .. We skipped Venice and went for the hot air ballon .. I would recommend you give it a go , it's stunning , but I did want to
See Venice too maybe next time (-:
Wow, that is what I would say. You captured so much with this photo. What a unique and far-out crazy city Venice is,......one I hope to visit some days. I will just say again how much I am loving reading about your travels and marveling at the photographs
beautiful shot!
ah, Venice...*sigh*
...One of my favorite memories in Italy was when a MONSOON (exaggerated expression) hit out of nowhere...we were walking along a Venice street full of vendors who were sooooooooo dramatic as they hastened to gather up their materials, shouting "BRAVO!" and applauding after a big flash of lightning or crash of thunder...We helped gather materials, and then we stood back and watched as the merchant bragged (in Italian) about her little American helpers. Italians do everything with such VERVE!
I have missed so many of your wonderful pictures and stories, Louise. THis is still such a classic shot of Venice; you have some unique memories of the place.
I keep coming back to this picture and then I realized I can't believe I did not comment. I really like this photo. You must have several thousands of pictures from this trip so far and each photo is just as much if not more beautiful than the one before. Be safe. :)
What a great shot of Venice - rain or no rain, it is one of my most favourite cities in the world.
Yes! it is different when it floods - I often wonder how people know where to walk so as not to walk into a canal :)
Despite the bad weather, you have managed to capture a beautiful view! I've seen so many photos of Venice, but still haven't made it there! It's a unique place that has to bee seen! Some firends of mine were there last year, during another flood - they came back home with bright yellow rubber boots :-)
I agree with Tiina...Venice is fabulous! One of the best places I've visited! Nice to see you are enjoying such wonderful travels this winter. Look forward to seeing more photos when you are settled back at home :)
Now that`s a place I want and need to visit.. great shot.. but I also wanted to mention how coincidental things are.. I know a `Louise and Ken` as well , but here in Canada.. just wierd because she goes by the name of Weezie.. which is almost the same as your reply name! How Wierd!
@melaniep Guilty as charged! I've been "Weezie" to closest family and friends all my life, but it was my daughter who tagged me "Weezilou" when she was in her teens. We spend our summers in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia...we haven't met, have we?!!
No..lol.. you aren`t the Weezie I worked with for 10 years.. lol.. and your husband ( or Ken ) is alive and well.. I`m from Ontario.. but nice to meet you on here!
I visited Venice three or four times with my daughter in her teens and she was very disappointed that we never saw the aqua alta. It sounded so dramatic to her that she would have liked to see it. I was very happy without.
February 10th, 2011
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By the way I have a pic just like this. We alked all the way down to Santa Maria Della Salute which was even more freezing inside than out!
See Venice too maybe next time (-:
ah, Venice...*sigh*
...One of my favorite memories in Italy was when a MONSOON (exaggerated expression) hit out of nowhere...we were walking along a Venice street full of vendors who were sooooooooo dramatic as they hastened to gather up their materials, shouting "BRAVO!" and applauding after a big flash of lightning or crash of thunder...We helped gather materials, and then we stood back and watched as the merchant bragged (in Italian) about her little American helpers. Italians do everything with such VERVE!
This is such an amazing shot! It looks so beautiful even if the weather wasn't cooperating.
Yes! it is different when it floods - I often wonder how people know where to walk so as not to walk into a canal :)