Month / February 2019
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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… -
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… -
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… -
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,… -
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… -
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… -
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,… -
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… -
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.… -
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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