Venetian numbers
Yesterday, I heard what could be considered a textbook lesson in counting as a conversation between two gondoliers contained all the numbers up to ten as they discussed their work schedule for the coming ten days.
Venice today
Christmas lights of Venice
Now that the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) is out of the way, Italians really turn their minds to Christmas. Venice is no exception. For weeks, the smaller calli of the city have been decked with Christmas lights that have been waiting for their chance to shine. The lights in the piazza and …
Ponte dei Zogatoli
Although you won’t find this name written on any nizioeto—the characteristic black and white street signs you see all over the city—ask any Venetian directions to the Ponte dei Zogatoi and they will all oblige.Â
Venetian maxims: Chi no ga testa ga gambe
Venetians are famous in the rest of Italy for their maxims which often give a flavour of what it’s like to live in the city. Discover what this maxim tells you about living in the city and particularly about the bridges and stairs which are a feature of every Venetian’s day.
Acqua Alta: a photo essay
What is acqua alta? Acqua alta, literally high water, is the typically understated way in which Venetians refer to the periodic flooding of the city during periods of so-called spring tides. It’s caused primarily due to the natural geography of the Venetian lagoon. The lagoon closed off from the open sea by a series of …
A Bird’s-eye view of Venice
Walking around Venice, you see lots of prints of old maps of ‘Venice from the air’. From the sixteenth century onwards, this became a stock way to depict Venice pictorially. The many different versions provide useful information about the history and development of the city through the ages and are fascinating to look at in …