Vicenza and Burano

Vicenza is a small town about an hour away from Venice by road; it is famous as the home of Andrea Palladio, who has been called the “father of American Architecture” – not that he ever visited America, but because the Palladian style greatly influenced American architects, including Thomas Jefferson. Monticello, the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, and the White House are all built in Palladian style, featuring strong symmetry and arches surrounded by windows.

Vicenza has nearly two dozen of Palladio’s buildings, including the Teatro Olimpico (the first purpose-built permanent indoor theatre in Europe).

This is a partially finished building by Palladio. They ran out of money and the two families who had commissioned it stopped being friends.

The two figures represent the rivers of Vicenza

We returned to the ship and sailed to Burano, a small island near the northern end of the Lagoon, where we’re docked for the night. We took a short walk to Martina Vidal Lace where we saw one of their life-long lacemakers at work (she was in her 80s), and then had an opportunity to shop. Credit card receipts were generated.

Mandatory Venice, Part 3 (Saint Mark’s Cathedral Basilica)

This evening, we had a special visit to Saint Mark’s Cathedral Basilica, beginning with a short sailing to Saint Mark’s Square.

Church of the Redeemer (built in thanks for the end of a pandemic in the 16th Century)

Our group of about 80 people were the only ones in the Cathedral, giving us time to look around without being hurried or jostled. My photos do not begin to do justice to the beauty of the Cathedral, but I tried.

We were also able to visit the crypt, which is not possible on a regular visit. Our guide explained that Saint Mark’s relics were originally stored in the crypt, but were moved after a flood. There have been several major floods in the crypt in the centuries since then, most recently when a window broke under the pressure of the water.

The cathedral is amazing; I’m glad Uniworld was able to give us the opportunity to see it in peace.

Mandatory Venice, Part 2 (Sailing the Venetian Lagoon)

This afternoon, we had a “scenic sailing” of the Venetian Lagoon, complete with narration. But before we set sail, Diane and I made a short visit to the Marinaressa Park where the ship was docked. The park has an exhibition called Personal Structures which held in parallel with the Venice Biennial. Here are a few of the sculptures which caught my eye:

Then it was time to cruise the lagoon. I took fewer photos than I expected to (it was cloudy and dull), and although we had commentary along the way, I didn’t catch the names of many of the islands.

The island of Murano. The north end is filled with glass furnaces.

Mandatory Venice, Part 1 (the Doge’s Palace)

We were able to visit the Doge’s Palace early this morning before it opened to the general public. Herewith, some photos.

The only real street in Venice. It is built atop an old canal.

Two of the 118 islands of Venice and the canal separating them.

The old Venetian Arsenal, now largely an exhibit hall for the Bienale.

The leaning bell tower of the Greek Orthodox church

I’m not sure that Taiwan is *really* invited to the Bianele, since they have a “Collateral Event”

Cistern in the Doge’s Palace – one of hundreds in Venice

The Loggia with its original terrazzo floor

Insert your anonymous denuciations here!

The Doge is wearing the hat. Saint Mark with the halo is accompanying the doge. Mary and Jesus are in the right center.
Red is love; blue is divine wisdom.

The queen (Venice) recieving peace and justice. Veronese is the painter

A typical Venetian clock. It shows all 24 hours; sunset is at the top (about 1800 hours).

Juno (at the top) is giving treasures to Venice (at the bottom). There’s also a lion representing Venice at the bottom right.

This is the inside of an anonymous denuncation box – the police read the reports that were deposited and decided what to do about them, if anything.

St. George Island from the room of the great council of Venice, which holds 2000 people!

The black cloth represents the only Doge who betrayed Venice – he wanted to become King. He was beheaded. The cloth is to blot his name out -but of course everyone remembers his name anyway, much like Haman.

Commemorating the vote uniting Venice with the Kingdom of Italy

After you leave the prison, you MUST go to the Gift Shop!

This side of St. Marks is Greek marble, not Italian! It was easier to get marble from Greece than from the rest of Italy.

Not just a mask shop, but a workshop where the masks are made and decorated

Vivaldi was baptized in this church. It’s in a very quiet square, one which our guide called one of the secret parts of Venice, where the “normal” Venetians actually live.

From Milan to Verona to Venice

We left Milan before 7am, toured Verona for 90 minutes, had a wonderful lunch and tasting at Villa Serego Alighieri (no photos), and arrived in Venice to board the S. S. La Venizia about 4pm. We’ve taken a short sail across the lagoon and are docked for the evening. Here are a few highlights.