History, Traditions and Curiosities
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Ruskin’s Stones of Venice, today
Related Tours Venice 101Museums and Churches Many writers, poets, and artists of the past centuries were enthralled by the beauty of Venice and depicted this unique city in their works. Probably none of them, however, dedicated more time and passion to describing the “Paradise of all cities” than John Ruskin. Born in London in 1819,… -
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On the Trail of Marco Polo in Venice
Related Tours Venice 101Museums and ChurchesOff the beaten path Marco Polo: a name that everyone associates with travel and discovery. A lot of research has been conducted on the fabulous account of his journey to China in the 13th century, but not so much is known about Marco himself. Venice, his homeland, has named its… -
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Murano Glass: One Island, Many Crafts
Related Tours Murano, Burano, Torcello When you speak about “Murano Glass” you are actually referring to a wide variety of products: everything from micro-beads to huge chandeliers. In 1291 the Venetian government made an important decision regarding glass production: all glass furnaces in the city had to be moved to the island of Murano. In… -
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From Classical Perfection to Romantic Love: Canova, Hayez, and Byron in Venice
Related Tours Museums and Churches Every epoch has its myths. At the beginning of the 19th century, the living hero of Venice was Antonio Canova. Such was his fame that, in 1817, the Austrian Emperor Francis I agreed to accept works of art in place of the pecuniary gift that the Venetian Provinces owed him,… -
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Beyond the Biennale: What to visit in Venice this Autumn
Related Tours Contemporary art in Venice On the 13th of May 2017, the 57th Venice Biennale opened to the public. This year’s edition, entitled “Viva Arte Viva”, is accompanied by several other major exhibitions dedicated to modern and contemporary art. If you decided to avoid the frenzy of the opening weeks and the heat of… -
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The Venetian Lion Explained
Related Tours Venice 101Off the beaten path When visiting Venice, it is hard not to notice the many lions adorning the doors and facades of the buildings, especially around Saint Mark’s Square. Let’s take a closer look at this symbol of Venice to discover some of the lesser-known aspects of the history of the Serenissima.… -
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The Heart of a Doge in Saint Mark’s Basilica
Related Tours Venice 101 The history of Venice and its Republic can't be understood without discussing the figure of the doge, its most important public figure. The doge was strictly chosen among the members of the noble class, and elected by the Maggior Consiglio or Major Council through a complicate political rite designed in order… -
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The synagogues in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice
Related Tours Jewish Venice 2016 was an important year for the Jewish community of Venice: it marked the 5th centenary of the ghetto of the city, established on the 29th of March, 1516. Exhibitions, symposiums and scholarly books and articles accompanied the commemorations, as well as restoration projects of the Jewish Museum and the synagogues.… -
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Coffee in Venice
Related Tours Venice 101Food and wine tours When you sip a cup of coffee in Venice, you are drinking in the very history of this beverage. No matter whether you are seated in one of the luxury cafés in Saint Mark's Square or standing at the counter of a tiny bar: you are in the… -
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A History of the National Pavilions at the Venice Biennale
Related Tours Contemporary art in Venice Every two years, the Venice Biennale is dedicated to contemporary architecture, but the 29 national pavilions in the Giardini are themselves a type of permanent architecture exhibition, a collection of buildings representing different periods and styles from all over the world. Let's take a tour around the Giardini to…
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