Originally posted on June 30, 2012 by Canicus<\/p>\n
San Marcos Plaza<\/b><\/p>\n
Today was my first day of touring in Venice. By the time I did my travelog and photo journal I was really too bushed \u2013 it was effectively a 30 hour day, from 6am Thursday Dallas time to 10pm Friday I was bushed I don\u2019t really plan on doing anything the day I arrive. I slept until 9am and by the time I ate breakfast and got organized, it was 10am.<\/p>\n
I got underway and caught the vaporetto<\/i> to San Marcos plaza. Most European cities have a good system of public transportation. The vaporetto<\/i> is Venice\u2019s solution \u2013 a water bus system. You don\u2019t drive in Venice. There are, as far as I know, no cars, trucks or buses in the city. Alternatives include water taxis and gondolas. Everything is very expensive in Venice \u2013 more than anyplace I\u2019ve been in Europe. The vaporetto<\/i> is the most economical. There seem to be two types: one is less expensive and very crowded and the other more expensive and less crowded, more comfortable and even air-conditioned. If your true love took you for a gondola ride be aware he spent a lot of money.<\/p>\n
My ride to San Marcos was on the more expensive version of the vaporetto<\/i>. While it is air-conditioned, I chose to sit outside aft so I could get some better pictures. While the absence of cars and trucks in Venice, eliminates some problem, motorized boats cause a problem \u2013 waves caused by motorized boats damage the foundations of buildings along the canals. I do have a picture of repairs being made. The wooden piles driven into bay are visible.<\/p>\n
Apart from the canals and the buildings along the canals, the San Marcos plaza is the best know attraction in Venice. At the east end the Byzantine cathedral of San Marcos dominates the plaza. The other sides of the plaza are dominated by Renaissance government buildings. The plaza contains a famous tower. One of the buildings on the north side has an elaborate clock. The \u201crobots\u201d on the top of the structure that strike the bell seem to be inoperative. To the south side of the cathedral is the Ducal Palace.<\/p>\n
San Marcos cathedral is sometimes called the \u201cRobber Church.\u201d Seems the Venetians decided the needed a more famous patron saint, so they had the remains of Saint Mark stolen from Alexandria and the cathedral was built to house the relics. Over the doors are murals depicting the robbery. But Saint Mark\u2019s bones were not all that was stolen, so was some of the art work. Over the main entrance are four bronze horses which were stolen from the hippodrome at Constantinople.<\/p>\n
The enforcement of the dress code into the cathedral is very strictly enforced. Even men wearing shorts were not admitted. Fortunately I saw what was going on before getting into line. I was wearing shorts. But apparently many men and women were standing in line waiting to be told they could not enter. I had planned to be properly dressed tomorrow to attend Mass in the church in the hopes that not only do I get in, but I can hear music performed in the incredible acoustics of the church favored by the antiphonal music of Palestrina. I did notice that photographs are not allowed, so probably there will be no picture of the interior tomorrow.<\/p>\n
I visited the ducal palace next to the church. The \u201cinteresting parts\u201d \u2013 the public meeting room and the ducal apartments are on the 3rd and 4th floors (American numbering) and I really didn\u2019t feel up to climbing the golden stairs to see them.<\/p>\n
There was an interesting exhibit of counterfeit money dating to ancient Greek and Roman counterfeits to the most recent. It showed what is involved in making real Euros, as well as counterfeits and plates. There were counterfeit coin dies. More modern \u201ccounterfeits\u201d included bogus credit cards and ATM skimming hardware. There was a million dollar Federal Reserve Note; there is no such \u201creal\u201d thing. It has a picture of George Washington.<\/p>\n
Canicus Modius<\/i><\/p>\n
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Originally posted on June 30, 2012 by Canicus San Marcos Plaza Today was my first day of touring in Venice. By the time I did my travelog and photo journal I was really too bushed \u2013 it was effectively a 30 hour day, from 6am Thursday Dallas time to 10pm Friday I was bushed I … Continue reading Canicus in Italia: Day 1 (Venice)<\/span>