Impressions
Venice is divided into six districts called sestieri. Most of the districts consist of narrow walkways, canals and bridges with every step providing a new viewpoint. The mind is constantly surprised. Although the stone plastered walkways were hard on our feet, we walked from morning to evening. Here are some impressions from our walks:
One of two original bridges you can still see in Venice. These bridges do not have any walls on the sides.
One of the many campos in Venice. Campos were originally fields for the population to grow food. On every campo (piazza), you can see a well where the population collected rain water.
Only a few gondolas with people could be seen during the day. Because of lack of tourists, gondolas only took passengers up to 6 pm.
A stone relief on one of the houses
This statue depicts one of four rich oriental traders who were brothers. The three other statues are on Campo di Mori around the corner. The painter Tintoretto lived in a 16h century house nearby, at Fondamente del Mori 3399.
A strong smell of fish told as that this is the place for the Rialto Fish market
Saturday sale on the Rialto Fish Market
Entrance into the Arsenal in Castello. Every two years, the Biennale (large scale international art exhibition) takes place in this area. This year, the Biennale was postponed to 2021 because of the Corona Virus.
“Interesting Times”, a graffiti on one of the walls of the Arsenal
View from the inner court of the Palazzo Ducale with the statue of Mars and a view to the Basilica San Marco.
Stone relief of Eve with the snake at the entrance to the basilica
Adam sitting on a dragon holding leaves
Two of the four horses above the entrance of the Basilica San Marco. The original horses can be seen in the museum, an exceptional beautiful example of most probably Greek art (4th century BC). The 4 horses were plundered from Constantinople by the Venetians during the 4th crusade in 1204.
There were less seagulls and doves at the Piazza San Marco than I remember from previous times. Those two performed a dance and constantly looked for food.
We had mixed experience with our food. Sometimes, it was excellent, like the mussels Anna-Sophie ordered.
I was interested in trying a traditional Venetian food and was recommended cuttlefish with polenta. Normally, I eat nearly everything – but this dish was a challenge for me.
The Venetians use the black ink inside of the cuttlefish to prepare the sauce. Those pitch black pieces of fish were served on a pure white polenta. It really looked disgusting to me, but I forced myself to eat it until I was no longer hungry.
Every afternoon we had gelato – this was always a treat!
Sunday afternoon, we went back to Vienna by train and had problems again. I ordered the tickets on the internet from a company called Rail Ninja (this name should have made me suspicious). After I paid by credit card, they did not send the tickets. I had to buy them elsewhere. It turned out that other customers had similar experiences of not getting their tickets. After many phone calls with my bank and e-mails with the company, they agreed to a 100% refund – which they honoured. Only 3 other people were sitting in the train car with us – a very safe travel in terms of the Corona Virus.
