1. Constitution Bridge (Ponte della Costituzione) / Calatrava Bridge

This Constitution Bridge is the famous Red Bridge in Venice. In the beginning, not all Venetians agreed with the Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava on the design of the bridge which was built in 2007. Although it is handy to have a bridge at the end of the Grand Canal, where the water bus (vaporetto) line concludes with the bus station and the parking lot, the design does not mirror any traditional Venetian styles. The bridge has an elegant sweeping curve of combination of steel and concrete structures, and the floors are covered with Istrian marble and glass. Hence, the Red Bridge has become an attraction of its own.

2. A Fascinating Bridge in Venice

3. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

4. DHL Delivery Boat in Venice

5. Enjoy Respect Venezia

#EnjoyRespectVenezia is the City of Venice’s awareness campaign launched during the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and designed to direct visitors towards the adoption of responsible and respectful behaviour towards the environment, landscape, artistic beauties and identity of Venice and its inhabitants.

6. Mooring Poles with Santa Maria della Salute in the Background

Mooring posts for boats, which consist of wooden pole and chain as a berth for the vessels.

7. Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Doge’s Palace is one of the most renowned buildings in Venice which sits in St. Mark’s Square but looks out onto the Grand Canal. The ornate palace is stunning and its front facade features a beautiful arched design made of white stone with a series of diamond patterns on the walls.

8. Sunset in Venice

9. Sunset at Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

This monumental Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute was built as thanks for the end of the plague of 1630. To support its immense weight, Architect Baldassare Longhena had put more than a million timbers driven into the floor of the lagoon. The church has an impressive landmark which is visible across the Grand Canal from San Marco, and this grandeur continues as you step inside with your attention immediately drawn to its massive dome.

10. Sunset with Gondola and San Giorgio Maggiore at the Back

The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is located on a smaller separate island that is not connected to the main canals of Venice, which can be reached by Vaporetto or private water taxi. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and its large campanile mirrors the one standing in St. Mark’s Square.

11. 101 Ways to Take Pictures of Gondola

12. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

13. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

14. Venetian Mask – The Masquerade

Venetian masks are a centuries old tradition of Venice. The Venice Carnival began in 1162 in celebration of the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy: the Patriarch of Aquileia. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice.

The masks are typically worn during the Carnival of Venice, but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status. The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.

There was a time when a ban was imposed on the masks and the carnival, during the Austrian conquest in 1797. The tradition reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and for private feasts. The festivity was officially brought back by Italian government in 1979. Nowadays, the Venice Festival of masks goes for two weeks, from February 16th until March 5th.

15. The Porter

16. Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station

17. Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station

18. Santa Maria di Nazareth

This Baroque church next to the Venezia Santa Lucia train station was built in the 1670s by Baldassare Longhena, and Giuseppe Sardi added the facade with many statues of human figures. The second chapel on the right is Tiepolo’s fresco The Glory of St. Teresa, and the third chapel on the left contains his fresco Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

19. Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

San Simeone Piccolo, also knowns as San Simeone e Giuda (Saints Simon and Judas) was founded in 966, but the first written reference was from 1138 and later it was repaired after the fire in 1149. Saint Simon was the martyred cousin of Christ, martyred as a Jew by the Romans. The original church was demolished in 1718 and rebuilt in 1718–38 by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto. This church was consecrated in 1738 and was one of the last religious buildings erected in Venice. This church is currently the only church in Venice to celebrate the traditional Mass daily in Latin.

The church has a Neoclassic style, with an oval cup dome, specially designed with the intent of making the church seem larger than it is. The centralised circular church design and the metal dome recalls Byzantine models and San Marco, though the numerous centrifugal chapels are characteristic of Post-Tridentine churches.

20. Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

San Simeone Piccolo, also knowns as San Simeone e Giuda (Saints Simon and Judas) was founded in 966, but the first written reference was from 1138 and later it was repaired after the fire in 1149. Saint Simon was the martyred cousin of Christ, martyred as a Jew by the Romans. The original church was demolished in 1718 and rebuilt in 1718–38 by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto. This church was consecrated in 1738 and was one of the last religious buildings erected in Venice. This church is currently the only church in Venice to celebrate the traditional Mass daily in Latin.

The church has a Neoclassic style, with an oval cup dome, specially designed with the intent of making the church seem larger than it is. The centralised circular church design and the metal dome recalls Byzantine models and San Marco, though the numerous centrifugal chapels are characteristic of Post-Tridentine churches.

21. The Underground Crypt at Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

At the basement, there is a famous and mysterious crypt with some religious depictions and paintings. You needed to pay the sacristan in the church €2 each and were each given a candle. There is no other light source down there, so the candle is needed to explore the crypt. The tunnel is a warren tunnel, radiating from a central octagonal domed space. The walls and ceilings are covered in painted decoration and images, with spooky niches and chambers leading off. The painting is rough in execution and macabre in style, frescoed with scenes on the Last Judgment, the Passion and the Old Testament, in which two long corridors intersect in an octagonal setting with an altar in the centre, probably used in the past for religious services. The crypt contains mainly tombs of parishioners whose identity is unknown, and the bones are generally placed in an orderly manner.

22. Painting of Crucifixion of Jesus at the Wall of Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

23. The Ceiling of Underground Crypt at Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

24. A Street Artist in Venice

25. Beautiful Venice Canal

26. Beautiful Venice Canal

27. Beautiful Venice Canal

28. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually just called the Frari is one of the most prominent churches in the city, it has the status of a minor basilica. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. Frari is a parish church of the Vicariate of San Polo-Santa Croce-Dorsoduro. The Franciscans had been expelled from the church during the 19th century, and the church was restored to the order in 1922. The church is one of the notable churches which still retaining their Venetian Gothic appearance. In common with many Franciscan churches, the exterior is rather plain, even on the front façade.

The old church which consecrated in 1280, was much smaller than the current church that you see nowadays and facing the opposite direction. The present church was begun shortly in 1340, but work was slow, and the old church was still being used until 1415, and it was demolished soon to complete the east end of the nave, then the work began at the west end. The new church was finished in 1442, the façade finished around this time, later consecrated in 1492.

29. Beautiful Venice Canal

30. Beautiful Venice Canal

31. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

32. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

33. Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest bridge that spanning Grand Canal in Venice. The bridge has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge, so it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. The bridge was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444, the bridge collapsed under the weight of a crowd rushing to see the marriage of the Marquis of Ferrera, and it collapsed again in 1524. In 1551, the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. Plans were proposed by famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. Michelangelo also was considered as the designer of the bridge.

The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, began to be constructed in 1588 and was completed in 1591. There are 6,000 timber piles each side supporting the 22-meter bridge. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future collapse. Now the bridge has become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

34. Beautiful Venice Canal

35. Gondola, the Symbol of Venice

Gondola is the symbol and essence of Venice. Venice is even more beautiful when seen from the water, even better with a gondola ride. The gondola is unique, like the city it represents, also for its characteristics.

The gondola is made up of 280 hand-made pieces using eight different types of woods (lime, oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, fir, larch and elm). The process to make one gondola takes about two months, and the cost is about 38,000 euros. Despite being 11 metres long and 1.6 metres wide with a weight of 350 kg, the gondola can be manoeuvred by only one person and with just one oar. The left side is wider than the right side. It then navigates tilted on its side, and its flat bottom allows it to sail even on very shallow waters. The oar is held in an oarlock known as a fórcola, which enable several positions of the oar for different types of rowing.

The ornament on the front of the boat is called fèrro (meaning iron) and can be made from brass, stainless steel, or aluminium. It serves as decoration and as a counterweight for the gondolier standing near the stern. The ferro has a very precise symbolism.

• The “S” shape symbolises twists of the Canal Grande.
• Under the main blade, there is a kind of comb with six teeth pointing forward, standing for the six districts (sestrieri) of Venice.
• The tooth on the back symbolises the island of Giudecca.
• The curved top represents a doge’s cap.
• The semi-circular break between the curved top and the six teeth represent the Rialto Bridge.
• The three friezes in-between the six prongs, indicate the three main islands of the city: Murano, Burano and Torcello.

36. The Marforio Dragon

You will find a black iron dragon with three umbrellas in its mouth on your walks to and from the Rialto Bridge. The umbrellas are colourful, and the decorative circles in the strip of pattern seem inviting rather than threatening. The dragon was designed about a century ago as a signpost for a leather goods store called Marforio, which was the largest and oldest leather goods store in Italy, run by the same family through five generations since 1875 until it closed in the late 20th century. Marforio store was in the building on which the dragon still stands, and it initially opened as an umbrella store.

37. Fantastic Gelato at the Venetian Canal Shop

38. Venetian Sandwich at the Venetian Canal Shop

39. St. Mark’s Square

St Mark’s Square is located on the Grand Canal and a truly spectacular place to visit. While St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous building, St Mark’s Square is the most famous piazza in Venice. There are a series of ornate buildings with arched walkways surrounding the piazza. Several important buildings are located on the square, such as St Mark’s Campanile, St Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace.

40. St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Located in the Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica is the most renowned and best-known surviving examples of Italian Byzantine architecture, and a sublime piece of architecture. It has remained one of the most important religious buildings in Northern Italy since its creation in the 9th century. Every aspect of this church is fantastic, from the ornate detail, sculptures and artwork of the front façade, beautifully painted frescos, and Byzantine works of art on the inside of the domed ceiling.

The construction was begun in 829 and consecrated in 832, as an ecclesiastical house to honour the remains of St. Mark which has been brought from Alexandria. However, the first basilica was burned in 976 during the revolt against the Doge Pietro Candiano IV but was restored under his successor, Doge Domenico Contarini. The present basilica was completed in 1071. Over the centuries, additions of sculpture, mosaics, and ceremonial objects have increased the church’s richness. The basilica’s interior was decorated throughout with mosaics on golds, and the floor is of inlaid marble and glass.

The church achieved an oriental feeling of exoticism and had all the elements of the Venetian style of the Renaissance Art. For its opulent design, gold ground mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold).

41. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

42. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

43. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

44. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

45. 101 Ways to Take Pictures of Gondola

46. 101 Ways to Take Pictures of Gondola

47. San Giorgio Maggiore

The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is located on a smaller separate island that is not connected to the main canals of Venice, which can be reached by Vaporetto or private water taxi. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and its large campanile mirrors the one standing in St. Mark’s Square.

48. Danieli Gondola Station (Gondole Danieli)

49. The Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II) 1887

In December 1878 in Venice, there was a committee to commemorate King Vittorio Emanuele II, who died recently. There was a competition attended by many artists and the work of Roman sculptor Ettore Ferrari was chosen. On August 14th 1880 the contract was signed, and it would see the work come to light in three years. It was decided to install the statue in front of the luxury hotels Riva degli Schiavoni, near the dock of the boat stop San Zaccaria, where you can see it nowadays. The monument was inaugurated on May 1st 1887, in the presence of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita di Savoia. In 2011, the monument was restored for the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

At the top of the Venetian monument is the horse-riding statue of Emanuele II with his sword drawn. Before him and behind him at the base of the statue, there are winged lions with women with different stances. It is like a before and after. One side is turbulent and disturbed while the other is proud and strong as reflected by the lion. Refer to the woman at the base of the statue. The woman’s clothing is regal and not armour as at the opposite side. The book is closed beneath the lion’s grip signifying that the Venetian state is no more.

50. The Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II) 1887

In December 1878 in Venice, there was a committee to commemorate King Vittorio Emanuele II, who died recently. There was a competition attended by many artists and the work of Roman sculptor Ettore Ferrari was chosen. On August 14th 1880 the contract was signed, and it would see the work come to light in three years. It was decided to install the statue in front of the luxury hotels Riva degli Schiavoni, near the dock of the boat stop San Zaccaria, where you can see it nowadays. The monument was inaugurated on May 1st 1887, in the presence of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita di Savoia. In 2011, the monument was restored for the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

On the opposite side, the woman is on guard with broken sword drawn and a flag resting against her shoulder. The winged lions represent Venice and the goddess Venus who emerged from the sea, similar to Venice as a miracle city born upon the Adriatic. Her winged lion gnaws at the chains of oppression imposed by Napoleon, Austria, and those that looked to take the Venetian empire down. The woman appears to have succeeded in battle, can now free her lion to be united again as Emanuele II united all of Italy.

51. Police Patrol in St. Mark’s Square

52. Venice Canal at Night

53. Venetian Rowing Association (Associazione Remiera Di Punta San Giobbe)

54. Gondola Oarsman (Gondolier)

It is not easy to become a gondolier. They must attend a period of training and apprenticeship, with a final exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills, and practical skills in handling the gondola, which is necessary for the tight spaces of Venetian canals. Gondoliers dress in a blue or red striped top, red neckerchief, wide-brimmed straw hat and dark pants.

55. Water Transport in Venice

Venice is similar to a fish. It is the only city of its kind in the world, with a historic centre surrounded by water and crossed by waterways. Venice is made up of canals, smaller canals (rii), typical alleyways (calli), squares (campi), banks (fondamente), paved streets along big and minor canals (salizzade), and small islands connected by bridges. You can get about Venice on foot, or you can choose either water bus (vaporettos), motorboats, battelli foranei which are a larger type of vaporetto used for transportation to outer islands, motor vessels or ferry ships.

56. Auntie is Climbing Steep Stone Steps

57. Beautiful Venice Canal

58. Waiting at Ship Dock

59. Pigeon Feeding

60. Grandma in Waiting

61. Gondola Oarsman (Gondolier)

It is not easy to become a gondolier. They must attend a period of training and apprenticeship, with a final exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills, and practical skills in handling the gondola, which is necessary for the tight spaces of Venetian canals. Gondoliers dress in a blue or red striped top, red neckerchief, wide-brimmed straw hat and dark pants.

62. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

63. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

64. Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs was first built in 1614 and designed by Italian Architect Antonio Contino is one of Venice’s major sights and also an important historical landmark. Spanning across the Rio die Palazzo, literally translated as the Palace River, it was intended to connect Palazzo Ducale, the interrogation rooms, with Prigioni, the city prison, which was located directly across the river. The name of the bridge was given based on the sighs of condemned prisoners as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being thrust into the stifling confinement of the Prigioni.

A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.

65. The Roof of St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Located in the Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica is the most renowned and best-known surviving examples of Italian Byzantine architecture, and a sublime piece of architecture. It has remained one of the most important religious buildings in Northern Italy since its creation in the 9th century. Every aspect of this church is fantastic, from the ornate detail, sculptures and artwork of the front façade, beautifully painted frescos, and Byzantine works of art on the inside of the domed ceiling.

The construction was begun in 829 and consecrated in 832, as an ecclesiastical house to honour the remains of St. Mark which has been brought from Alexandria. However, the first basilica was burned in 976 during the revolt against the Doge Pietro Candiano IV but was restored under his successor, Doge Domenico Contarini. The present basilica was completed in 1071. Over the centuries, additions of sculpture, mosaics, and ceremonial objects have increased the church’s richness. The basilica’s interior was decorated throughout with mosaics on golds, and the floor is of inlaid marble and glass.

The church achieved an oriental feeling of exoticism and had all the elements of the Venetian style of the Renaissance Art. For its opulent design, gold ground mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold).

66. Gondola Service Centre (Servizio Gondole)

67. Beautiful Venice Canal

68. Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)

Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest bridge that spanning Grand Canal in Venice. The bridge has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge, so it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. The bridge was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444, the bridge collapsed under the weight of a crowd rushing to see the marriage of the Marquis of Ferrera, and it collapsed again in 1524. In 1551, the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. Plans were proposed by famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. Michelangelo also was considered as the designer of the bridge.

The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, began to be constructed in 1588 and was completed in 1591. There are 6,000 timber piles each side supporting the 22-meter bridge. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future collapse. Now the bridge has become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

69. The Artisan Mask Maker of Venice

Venetian masks are characterised by their ornate design, featuring bright colours such as gold or silver and the use of complex decorations in the baroque style. Around Carnival season, some artisans would create full costumes with stunning accessories that completely transform their wearers into characters from another time or a bizarre creature from the realm of fantasy. The masks are traditionally worn with decorative beads matching in colour. There are four types of masks:

• Eye face mask
• Half face mask
• Full face mask
• Handheld mask

Although you can find shops selling masks all over Venice, actually there are fewer than ten shops that produce their masks. The mask-making starts with study of the traditional form of Venice mask to get the ideas and combine with the imagination of the Artisan, to create a design. Once the Artisan has the design, they mould a clay model of the mask, and plaster mould is produced from this model. Paper is then laid in the plaster mould and left to dry. Once dry, the papier-mâché mask is removed from the mould and the openings for the eyes, the mouth (if there is one), and the edges are worked to perfection. At this point, the mask is ready to be decorated with a variety of colours and materials: sequins, gold leaf, silver leaf, cloth, feathers, and many more might be used.

70. Venetian Mask – The Masquerade

Venetian masks are a centuries old tradition of Venice. The Venice Carnival began in 1162 in celebration of the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy: the Patriarch of Aquileia. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice.

The masks are typically worn during the Carnival of Venice, but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status. The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.

There was a time when a ban was imposed on the masks and the carnival, during the Austrian conquest in 1797. The tradition reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and for private feasts. The festivity was officially brought back by Italian government in 1979. Nowadays, the Venice Festival of masks goes for two weeks, from February 16th until March 5th.

71. Venetian Mask – The Masquerade

Venetian masks are a centuries old tradition of Venice. The Venice Carnival began in 1162 in celebration of the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy: the Patriarch of Aquileia. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice.

The masks are typically worn during the Carnival of Venice, but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status. The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.

There was a time when a ban was imposed on the masks and the carnival, during the Austrian conquest in 1797. The tradition reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and for private feasts. The festivity was officially brought back by Italian government in 1979. Nowadays, the Venice Festival of masks goes for two weeks, from February 16th until March 5th.

72. Venetian Mask – The Masquerade

Venetian masks are a centuries old tradition of Venice. The Venice Carnival began in 1162 in celebration of the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy: the Patriarch of Aquileia. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice.

The masks are typically worn during the Carnival of Venice, but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status. The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.

There was a time when a ban was imposed on the masks and the carnival, during the Austrian conquest in 1797. The tradition reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and for private feasts. The festivity was officially brought back by Italian government in 1979. Nowadays, the Venice Festival of masks goes for two weeks, from February 16th until March 5th.

73. Venetian Gift Shop

74. Venetian Gift Shop

75. A Boy Saw a Kiss Scene

76. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

77. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

78. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

79. San Marco Campanile

The Campanile di San Marco is an impressive 98.6-meter-high tower in the centre of St. Mark’s square, which is the tallest structure in Venice. The building that stands now is a reconstruction in 1912 as the original collapsed in 1902. Initially created in the 9th century, the Campanile was used as a lighthouse for ships as well as a watchtower during war times. Throughout the years, the tower has been damaged by fire, earthquakes and even lightening.

The design is simple and made of red-brick, the main shaft is also quite simple, but the bell housing and pinnacle feature a myriad of arches and stonework, and the top features a golden statue of Angel Gabriel. Nowadays the Campanile can be climbed up to its very top, where visitors can admire the largest of the tower’s five original bells and enjoy a breathtaking view over the whole city of Venice.

80. Ride a Vaporetto Through the Grand Canal

81. Ride a Vaporetto Through the Grand Canal

82. Ride a Vaporetto Through the Grand Canal

83. Postal Service (Servizio Postale) in Venice

84. Church of San Geremia and the Grave of Santa Lucia

Just a few minutes walking from the Venetia Santa Lucia train station, you can find the beautiful church of San Geremia. This church is a well-known pilgrimage point because of the grave of Santa Lucia di Siracusa, who is celebrated on December 13th and is known by the pilgrims to be the “eye protector”. Every year, more and more pilgrims and visitors come over the church either to simply light a candle or to address a prayer to the Saint. Outside of the church is featured by the façade overlooking the Grand Canal, on which there is an inscription: “Lucia Vergine di Siracusa rests in peace in this temple. You inspire a bright future and peace to Italy and the entire World”.

85. Ca Sagredo Gondola Dock

86. Reflection

87. Gondola Oarsman (Gondolier)

It is not easy to become a gondolier. They must attend a period of training and apprenticeship, with a final exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills, and practical skills in handling the gondola, which is necessary for the tight spaces of Venetian canals. Gondoliers dress in a blue or red striped top, red neckerchief, wide-brimmed straw hat and dark pants.

88. Gondola Oarsman (Gondolier)

It is not easy to become a gondolier. They must attend a period of training and apprenticeship, with a final exam which tests knowledge of Venetian history and landmarks, foreign language skills, and practical skills in handling the gondola, which is necessary for the tight spaces of Venetian canals. Gondoliers dress in a blue or red striped top, red neckerchief, wide-brimmed straw hat and dark pants.

89. Rubbish Removal in Venice

Veritas is the company which supplies water and takes away waste in Venice.

90. James Bond Movie, Casino Royale

The guy in the speed boat resembles Daniel Craig in James Bond movie, Casino Royale. The location of Casino Royale filming in Venice:

• Grand Canal
• St. Mark’s Basin
• Accademia and Rialto Fish Market
• St. Mark’s Square
• Sotoportego de le Colonne
• Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Music

91. Casino di Venezia – the Oldest Casino in the World

Venice is the first casino in the world which opened its doors to visitors. Architect Mauro Codussi designed the building, and it was opened in 1638. Initially, it was a theatre called Theatre Saint Moses which had a wing for gambling during the intermissions of plays. It started a casino craze in Venice, and by 1744 there were more than 120 casinos in Venice.

The casino was initially called the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi. After its early days as a casino, it served as a home to Italian royalty, then became a frequent getaway for German composer Richard Wagner from 1858 until he died in 1883.

In 1946 Venice municipality bought the building, renovated it, and opened it as an official casino in 1959. Nowadays, there are hundreds of ways to gamble, from blackjack to roulette and poker, all hosted by dealers in tuxedos, alongside 600 slot machines and ongoing tournaments for pros, such as the World Poker Tour.

92. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

93. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

94. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

95. Dogana di Mare and St. Mark’s Basin

Dogana di Mare was a custom house and arriving cargo ships were inspected by customs officials at the Punta della Dogana, or Customs Point to declare their cargos and pay duties to the Venetian Republic. The original 14th-Century customs tower was replaced by a new building named Dogana di Mare, or Sea Customs Post, in the late 1600s. The current building tower is crowned by two Atlases holding up a bronze globe. Atop the globe, another statue Fortuna acts as a weathervane by holding a garment, or perhaps a ship rudder, to the wind.

St. Mark’s Basin is a lagoon where the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal merge.

96. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

This monumental Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute was built as thanks for the end of the plague of 1630. To support its immense weight, Architect Baldassare Longhena had put more than a million timbers driven into the floor of the lagoon. The church has an impressive landmark which is visible across the Grand Canal from San Marco, and this grandeur continues as you step inside with your attention immediately drawn to its massive dome.

97. Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

This monumental Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute was built as thanks for the end of the plague of 1630. To support its immense weight, Architect Baldassare Longhena had put more than a million timbers driven into the floor of the lagoon. The church has an impressive landmark which is visible across the Grand Canal from San Marco, and this grandeur continues as you step inside with your attention immediately drawn to its massive dome.

98. Violino d’Oro Gondola Station

99. Lion of Saint Mark, the Symbol of Venice

The Lion of Saint Mark, representing Mark the Evangelist, pictured in the form of a winged lion holding a Bible, is the symbol of the city of Venice and formerly the Venetian Republic.

100. Venice Exhibition Space (Palazzo Tiepolo Passi)

Palazzo Tiepolo Passi is an exhibition space that located in the San Polo district, facing the Grand Canal. This palace was built in the mid-16th century but the Architect is unknown. The main façade, in early-Renaissance style, is divided into three panels and the building comprises four levels: the ground floor, two main living floors and a loft under the roof. The façade still bears traces of frescoes painted by Andrea Meldola, called Lo Schiavone.

101. Police Patrol Boat in Venice (Polizia Locale di Venezia)

102. Experience Venice Spectacular Beauty

103. Magnificent View of the Grand Canal

104. Best Spot for Sunset Watching in Venice!