Grand Canal (Canal Grande)
is the major water-traffic corridor sweeping through this amazing city. The Canal Grande snakes through the city of Venice in a large S shape, traveling from the Saint Mark Basin on one end to a lagoon near the Santa Lucia rail station on the other. This ancient waterway measures 3,800 meters (2.36 miles) long and ranges from 30 to 90 meters (about 100-300 feet) wide. In most places, the canal is approximately 5 meters (16 feet) deep. The canal is an ancient waterway, lined with buildings - about 170 in all - that were mostly built from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Most were constructed by wealthy Venetian families. By the tenth century, it was a center for trade and a safe, ship-accessible port. Because of this, some of the earliest houses along the canal belonged to merchants who did their business on the seas. By the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, homes along the canal became much more ornate and often included Byzantine-style decoration like elongated arches and large loggias. The Venetian-Gothic style of architecture began in appear in buildings constructed along the Grand Canal in the fifteenth century and some of the best examples can still be found there, including the magnificent Ca d'Oro (House of Gold). During this period, facades included plaster in bright colors, pointed arches were popular, and columns were skinnier than before. Buildings and homes designed in the Renaissance and Classical styles arrived in the sixteenth century. In the late sixteenth century and into the seventeenth century, Baroque-style buildings were added to those that already fronted the Canal Grande. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
is the major water-traffic corridor sweeping through this amazing city. The Canal Grande snakes through the city of Venice in a large S shape, traveling from the Saint Mark Basin on one end to a lagoon near the Santa Lucia rail station on the other. This ancient waterway measures 3,800 meters (2.36 miles) long and ranges from 30 to 90 meters (about 100-300 feet) wide. In most places, the canal is approximately 5 meters (16 feet) deep. The canal is an ancient waterway, lined with buildings - about 170 in all - that were mostly built from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Most were constructed by wealthy Venetian families. By the tenth century, it was a center for trade and a safe, ship-accessible port. Because of this, some of the earliest houses along the canal belonged to merchants who did their business on the seas. By the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, homes along the canal became much more ornate and often included Byzantine-style decoration like elongated arches and large loggias. The Venetian-Gothic style of architecture began in appear in buildings constructed along the Grand Canal in the fifteenth century and some of the best examples can still be found there, including the magnificent Ca d'Oro (House of Gold). During this period, facades included plaster in bright colors, pointed arches were popular, and columns were skinnier than before. Buildings and homes designed in the Renaissance and Classical styles arrived in the sixteenth century. In the late sixteenth century and into the seventeenth century, Baroque-style buildings were added to those that already fronted the Canal Grande. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)
the most famous of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal. In this area, which originally housed the food market, there has always been a canal crossing, at first, a simple bridge of boats, and later a real wooden bridge, made from two inclined ramps with a mobile section in the middle, in order to allow the passage of ships. The current Rialto Bridge, a stone arch, was constructed under the supervision of Antonio da Ponte, between 1588 and 1591. The construction was made difficult by the conditions of instability and by the height of the sea bottom. The structure, very similar in style to the previous wooden bridge, is formed by two inclined ramps, with shops on each side, covered by a portico. When Venice was a marine power, that navigated and traded throughout a good part of the modern world, big cargo ships coming from many other countries stopped here in order to unload and sell their merchandise wholesale. Here gathered Venetians, with silk and spices from the Orient, traders from Lombardy and Florence who offered work in metal and textiles, together with Germans and many others coming from other parts of Italy and from across the Alps. more at: www.italyguides.it
the most famous of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal. In this area, which originally housed the food market, there has always been a canal crossing, at first, a simple bridge of boats, and later a real wooden bridge, made from two inclined ramps with a mobile section in the middle, in order to allow the passage of ships. The current Rialto Bridge, a stone arch, was constructed under the supervision of Antonio da Ponte, between 1588 and 1591. The construction was made difficult by the conditions of instability and by the height of the sea bottom. The structure, very similar in style to the previous wooden bridge, is formed by two inclined ramps, with shops on each side, covered by a portico. When Venice was a marine power, that navigated and traded throughout a good part of the modern world, big cargo ships coming from many other countries stopped here in order to unload and sell their merchandise wholesale. Here gathered Venetians, with silk and spices from the Orient, traders from Lombardy and Florence who offered work in metal and textiles, together with Germans and many others coming from other parts of Italy and from across the Alps. more at: www.italyguides.it
Riva Degli Schiavone Promenade
This lively area is Venice's most vibrant waterfront promenade. Positioned between the Doge's Palace and the Arsenale. It was originally built in the ninth century from dredged silt and was named for the Slavic men who brought cargo to Venice from across the Adriatic Sea. The market stalls that crowd the area probably had their start in the fifteenth century, when Slavs and Greeks moved into the area and would line the promenade to sell their meat and dried fish near the wharf. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
This lively area is Venice's most vibrant waterfront promenade. Positioned between the Doge's Palace and the Arsenale. It was originally built in the ninth century from dredged silt and was named for the Slavic men who brought cargo to Venice from across the Adriatic Sea. The market stalls that crowd the area probably had their start in the fifteenth century, when Slavs and Greeks moved into the area and would line the promenade to sell their meat and dried fish near the wharf. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
Arsenale
Now a naval base and technology center, Venice's Arsenale was the largest shipyard in the world. It played a major role in the city's naval warfare since the early twelfth century. Covers 32 hectares, quickly became known for its unique shipbuilding techniques. By the early sixteenth century, when the yard was at its busiest, it is believed that about 16,000 employees - known as arsenalotti - worked on the Arsenale's production lines. The most stunning architectural feature of the Arsenale is the Porta Magna - or main gate - which was added to the facility in 1460. This was the first Classical Revival structure to be built in the city of Venice and set the tone for many other buildings. Today, the arsenale is mostly used by the Italian army. more at: www.aviewoncities.com
Now a naval base and technology center, Venice's Arsenale was the largest shipyard in the world. It played a major role in the city's naval warfare since the early twelfth century. Covers 32 hectares, quickly became known for its unique shipbuilding techniques. By the early sixteenth century, when the yard was at its busiest, it is believed that about 16,000 employees - known as arsenalotti - worked on the Arsenale's production lines. The most stunning architectural feature of the Arsenale is the Porta Magna - or main gate - which was added to the facility in 1460. This was the first Classical Revival structure to be built in the city of Venice and set the tone for many other buildings. Today, the arsenale is mostly used by the Italian army. more at: www.aviewoncities.com