Venice, Grand Canal

At first glance at a map, Venice looks like a large island divided by a reverse-S shaped Grand Canal. Closer inspection shows that what looks like a large island, is actually 117 (some references say 118) mostly tiny islands separated by 150 canals, and connected by 400 bridges.

The Grand Canal, which connects Piazzale Roma with St. Mark’s Square, is crossed by only three bridges, but a gondola ferry, called “traghetto,” will take you across the Grand Canal at strategic points. This is a way to take a gondola ride for a very small sum of money. As we brag about our gondola ride in Venice, we don’t have to dwell on the fact that we spent only a few minutes and very little money, for a short gondola junket across, rather than an expensive, longer excursion down the Grand Canal.

The two mile long Grand Canal is lined with about two hundred marble palaces of outstanding Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture. Dozens of these old Venetian Palaces are moss covered, some are falling down, some have elaborate mosaic artwork, some appear vacant and in need of repair. There are renovated old mansions, former palaces, cathedral-like churches, and a dozen first class hotels, many with canal-side restaurants.

The only modern building we remember is the Guggenheim Museum, located not too far from the Accademia Bridge. This building houses a collection gathered by Peggy Guggenheim, prior to her death in 1979.