Venice: Art, Culture and History
Venice is one the most fascinating and attractive cities in Italy. It is the city of musicians like Vivaldi. Once an international centre of music in the XVIth century, musicians would play baroque tunes in local churches to entertain visitors.
Venice also possesses on old theatrical tradition, the Fenice is where you’ll find the Opera House and the Theatre of Venice. It was destroyed by a fire in 1996 and its reconstruction has been very slow ever since. Among the great Venetian writers, Carlo Goldoni stands out: he is one of the most famous playwrights of the city – he created 16 plays in just one year!
The city offers many points of interest such as the Basílica di San Marco (a Byzantine church founded in the IXth century to keep Saint Marc’s relics). The surroundings are full of elegant restaurants like Feorian or the Caffe Quadri where you may drink a coffee while checking out the beautiful galleries of the Renaissance.
The Pazzo Ducale is another historical spot. It used to be the residence of the Supreme Magistrate of Venice. You may get a better look from the Laguna. Inside, you’ll find several rooms, the Sala del Maggior Consiglio shelters the most spectacular pieces. You may admire there the La Visión del Paraíso which is the largest oil painting in the world with more that 500 characters depicted.
An architectonical masterpiece is without a doubt the Ponte di Rialto, designed by Antonio de Ponte. That bridge collapsed in 1444 and has not been rebuilt until 1588. The Santa Maria della Caritá church houses the Galeria de l Academia where all the collections of Venetian geniuses like Tintoretto and Veronese are gathered.
Among the many events that the city has to offer, the Carnival (Carnaval de Venecia) is definitely one the most famous. It takes place in February and it is one of the biggest Carnivals of the country. One of the reasons it is so famous is the very peculiar masks people wear.
The Fiesta de San Marco in April is a regatta of gondolas in the honor of Saint Marc. The regatta goes from Sant’Elena to la Punta Della Dogano.
June witnesses a traditional and entertaining event: Il Palio Delle Repubbliche Marinare; 4 teams wearing traditional outfits fight to protect their businesses in the Venetian Laguna.
Nevertheless, one of the most attractive events is the Cinema festival. From August to September, the city lives at the rhythm of movie fever at the Palazzo del Cinem in Lido where the clubs and discos of Venice are setup for the summer. Italian movie stars hang out there too.
To get a better idea of the Venetian nightlife, go to Saint-Marc’s Square(Piazza San Marco), you’ll find lots of bars and trendy places where locals usually take the aperitivo – often a glass of white wine called prosecco. Bohemian areas of the city are Canneregio and San Paolo where you can drink with students and fishermen until dawn.
To get a real taste of Venice, don’t forget to get lost in a maze of little streets and hidden squares. Don’t miss out on the “aquatic coach” (i vaporetti) that goes along the Canal Grande and Laguna: a unique experience!
Don’t wait to come and discover that extraordinary city and its culture. For a nice stay, get an Apartment in Venice and just enjoy the beauty of that amazing place.
