Category / Introduction to Venice / Off the beaten path
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The History of the Gondola
Related Tours Off the beaten path The gondola is for sure the most famous boat in Venice; its unique and elegant design is almost a symbol of the floating city. For centuries, Venetians have used rowing boats to move around the canals, but gondolas have not always looked like the ones we can see nowadays.… -
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The Arsenale of Venice: from Dante to the Biennale
Related Tours Contemporary artOff the beaten pathBoat tour Every year, visitors from all over the world come to the Giardini and the Arsenale for the Biennale, the international exhibition of contemporary art and architecture which has taken place in Venice since 1895. But, what is the Arsenale? Dar al-sina, the house of the art… -
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The Ancient Pharmacies of Venice
Related Tours Off the beaten path The Venetian Republic was famous for its advanced healthcare system, which included the establishment of Public Health Officers and the creation of the first lazzaretti (plague hospitals). Apothecaries were an important element of this system as well, and traces of their ancient activity can still be found around the… -
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Wooden Jewels in Venice
Related Tours Murano, Burano and TorcelloMuseums and ChurchesOff the beaten path Wood has always been one of the most widely used materials in Venice; from the foundations of its buildings to the “altane” (rooftop terraces) above them, the functionality and beauty of wood is everywhere on display. Many artistic treasures in the city are also… -
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Ridotti and casini: the secret retreats of 18th century Venetians
Related Tours Off the beaten path Venice in the 18thcentury was a fashionable destination for nobles from all over Europe, and while they certainly enjoyed the beauty of the city, they enjoyed its licentious social life even more. Besides the cafés, the theatres, and, of course, the Carnival celebrations, Venice became famous in the 17thand… -
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Our Favorite Tintorettos in Venice
Related Tours Museums and ChurchesOff the beaten path A Venetian by birth, Jacopo Tintoretto lived and worked in his city for his entire life, and many of his works are still visible in the churches and museums of Venice. To celebrate the 5th centenary of his birth (sometime between late 1518 and early 1519), special… -
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Contemporary Architecture in Venice
Related Tours Contemporary artOff the beaten pathBoat tour For most visitors, a trip to Venice is an immersion in history: every corner of the city seems to have remained unchanged for centuries, like it’s caught in a magic spell. Yet, the city that hosts the Architecture Biennale is also home to some contemporary architecture projects… -
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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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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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