Venice, Italy

Two weekends ago we went to visit Venice, Italy, the city of canals.  We had a great time seeing the city.  Here are some of the pictures we took.

On the way down we drove through the Dolomites, or Italian Alps.

Incredible views!

When we got to the city we took a "water bus" to our hotel.

Our hotel sign pointed us down this vary narrow alley.

This was the alley and the door to our hotel on the right.

This was another way into our hotel, over this small canal.

Shanan enjoying breakfast in the courtyard.

Gondolas were all over the city.

This is Rialto bridge, the first one built over the Grand Canal.  It was built in 1255.

View of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge.

St Mark's Square with St Mark's Basilica in the background.

These are the famous Venice pigeons.  Fortunately we did not get pooed on!

The front of St Marks Basilica.  It was first built in 832.  We weren't able to take pictures of the inside, but it was amazing with millions of mosaic tiles on all the walls and ceilings.

Part of St Mark's Basilica.

This is Doge's Palace the home of the rulers of Venice.  It was the most powerful half-acre in Europe for over 400 years.

Inside of Doge's Palace.  Every visitor whether king or pope would walk up these stairs to meet the Doge at the top.  We read that the Doge never came down to great his guest.

Statute at the top of the stairs.

This was a ceiling inside of the Doge's Palace.  

Inside the Palace was this letter drop (into the mouth).  It was a way that people could anonymously accuse someone of a crime or injustice despite the fact that it was true or not.

View of St Marks Basilica from the back and inside Doge's Palace.

Gondolas everywhere.

Venice misty sunset.

These were all over the city in just about every court yard.  This was Venice's solution to clean water.  Whenever it rained the water would drain into these collection wells providing the city with rain water.  They are now not in use, but still remain all over the city.

The Carnival of Venice is a celebration that occurs ever year.  One of the unique parts of this carnival are the masks that people wear.  There were mask shops everywhere.

Mask's everywhere!!!!

We ended up buying some masks from this mask maker in his little shop.  We loved his beret and paint covered jacket.

Venice at night.

On our second day in Venice we decided to go out to a small island called Murano.  It is famous for the glass that is produced there.  Back in the day all of the glass makers from Venice were required to move their glass making shops to this island due to the fear that they would burn Venice down should a fire break out.  Notice the large blue glass sculpture in the background.

Mr. Glass Man making a glass vase.

Of course we had to get a vase for our own.  We bought one from this guy!

Shanan enjoying a Gelato!

We had a great time in Venice!