Discovering a Less Known Island of the Venetian Lagoon: Lazzaretto Nuovo
For over two years, during the pandemic, we were concerned with terms such as “isolation”, “social distance”, “quarantine”… but do you know from where all these terms, and behaviors, came from? In this post you will find out how the Venetian Republic would cope in the past with epidemics and how life was like in isolation in the Venetian Lazarets.
The enigmatic painting by Giorgione The Old Woman in the Accademia Gallery in Venice
When visiting the Accademia Gallery in Venice you should not miss this revolutionary painting The old Woman (La vecchia) by Giorgio da Castelfranco. It was an unknown, unusual and unthinkable subject for the time, destined to remain a unique work of art. Let us try to learn more and decode together this painting.
The prisons of the Doge’s Palace in Venice: how and who designed them and who escaped
The prisons in the Doge’s Palace in Venice: How and who designed them? Was it possible to escape? From the “pozzi” and the “piombi”, dungeons with little consideration for human needs, to the new prisons, a fascinating post talking about “beauty, comfort and security”.
Roberto Piffer, a young tailor in Venice
Roberto Piffer is a young tailor, he opened his atelier towards the end of October 2021,
right here in Venice, near Ruga Giuffa, just off Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Authenticity, custom work, sensitivity and attention to detail: Roberto Piffer is all of this and, moreover, he is for me a wonderful presence in the world of Venetian craftsmanship, a precious bridge between the past and future of this profession.
The “Miracle of the Slave” by Jacopo Tintoretto: an absolute Masterpiece
Tintoretto was one of the most important painters of the Venetian Renaissance. He produced lots of works of art both for churches and for Scuole Grandi (Great Schools).
At the Gallerie dell’Accademia one of his masterpieces is displayed. Originally painted for the Scuola Grande di San Marco, the ‘Miracle of the Slave’ was completed in 1548 and it was a real and complete revolution from the artistic point of view: colors, figures, diagonals and much more. Let’s discover it together reading the following post.
Venice, an odyssey: hope, anger and the future of cities
Cristina Gregorin reviews the book by Neal E. Robbins “Venice. An odyssey. Hope, Anger and the Future of the city”, a text that well describes the difficulties of a city that is emblematic for many other historic cities, caught between the tourism industry and its fragility.
Isabella Canali Andreini and the job of acting
Isabella Canali Andreini was the one who really started the profession of actress, ennobling this often discredited and opposed profession. Besides, her name, Isabella, coincides with a specific character of the Commedia dell’Arte, that of the “Innamorata” or “l’Amorosa”, such was her skill in giving depth and credibility to the characters she played on stage.
City views and natural landscape in the background of some Venetian paintings
In Venetian paintings you will find interesting backgrounds, which sometimes fascinate almost as much as the main scene: the lagoon, St Mark’s square, the Veneto mainland with its hills or Dolomites appear as true paintings in the painting!
the Barovier Cup of the Glass Museum in Murano
The most famous piece of glass displayed in the Glass Museum in Murano is the blue Barovier Cup decorated in the late 15th century. What do the enamel paintings and golden decorations of ladies riding horses and bathing in a fountain and the portrait of a couple mean?
Tours in Venice for the blind and visually impaired visitors: the Carnival tour
A guided tour in Venice for blind or visually impaired visitors: let’s explore the world of the 18th century in Venice, in particular through the tradition of the mask in papier-mâché and chocolate, a drink that became quite popular, albeit quite expensive, exactly in those years. We will visit a workshop where masks are made and then enjoy a chocolate tasting in an artisanal laboratory.
El Scaleter or the art of making pastry
Among the many wonders of Venice there are certainly its pasticcerie – patisseries , all highly appreciated for their history and above all the quality of their delicacies. El scaleter is an old Venetian term, which can be translated as pastry chef, since the scaleteri made and sold all sorts of pastries and sweets.
My college in Venice: “Marco Foscarini”
Several years have passed since I finished high school. Women customarily never say how old they are, so I will not tell you what year it was! Suffice it to say it was not a century ago! I lived on the island of Lido at that time and I attended Marco Foscarini College, section A, in the Cannaregio district of Venice
Caterina Cornaro, a Queen in Venice
When telling the history of Venice, women have always remained a bit in the background. However, there is a woman who played a fundamental role in the history of the most Serene Republic. This is the amazing story of Caterina Cornaro, the queen of Cyprus who abdicated the throne for the sake of Venice.
The Bàcari and the Taverns of Rialto
Strolling around the Rialto area, on either side of the famous bridge, you may find alleyways with odd names: Aquila Nera (Black Eagle), Leon Bianco (White Lion), Do Spade (Two Swords), Simia (Monkey), and many more. These names originate from a number of taverns and inns that don’t exist anymore.
Osterie, malvasie, bàcari: let’s discover some interesting facts about the old wine shops of Venice!
Acqua Alta – High Tide in Saint Mark’s Square in Venice
High tide events are always more frequent in Saint Mark’s Square as a result of subsidence and sea-level rising. Which natural elements influence the tides in Venice and the lagoon? How do you calculate high tide? How does the square flood?
Venice without Barriers: an Itinerary for All
Inclusive Venice: here is a suggestion for a tour that can be enjoyed by everyone, despite their impairment or disability.
The secrets? No hurry and a perfect knowledge of the city by your Best Venice Guide! Enjoy the post and then enjoy Venice with all your 5 senses!
BestVeniceGuides and Tourism4all: Venice the city on a human scale: Sustainable, Inclusive & Accessible
Our profession as expert guides for Venice entails knowing in fine detail both the history and the individual artistic jewels of the city. But it’s more – it requires an appreciation of each guest’s different needs, be they physical or in connecting with the philosophical and conceptual tides which shaped the city and its art and to present this multi-perspectival narrative in an interesting and enjoyable way for very diverse guests so that they can experience Venice with pleasure.
BestVeniceGuides has established a partnership with UICVE- Unione Ciechi e Ipovedenti, with CERPA ITALIA, the European Center for Research and Promotion of Accessibility, VILLAGE4ALL, AGSAV Associazione Genitori Soggetti Autistici Venezia and with AUT-HOLIDAY.
Venice city of gambling: cards, dice, and unbridled passion!
Venice, city of myriad faces, has always been the city of gambling and diversion, with the famous Carnival and the renowned Ridotto. Card and dice games… Gamblers and games boards: an interesting aspect of Venetian culture into which you can get deeper exploring Venice and its museums with BestVeniceGuides!
In Venice with Kids: Spooky Legends!
Here’s a post for brave and fearless kids! Read about the Arsenale (i.e. the Venetian Shipyard) and the spooky legend of its Lions! Then come to Venice and join Monica of the Best Venice Guides on a tour of the most intriguing areas of Venice! Ciao!
Venice, Glass and Spectacles Part II
After spectacles were first invented in Venice, how did shape, wearing and colour change over the centuries? How did knowledge about glasses develop, when did they stop being linked to scholars, becoming pretty Rococo objects worn by high-society people?
A Venetian treat: a Gianduiotto to go
The king of Venetian Gelatos is the famous ‘Gianduiotto’! Well, famous in Venice as in the rest of the country it is a well known chocolate from Piedmont. Read about a very Venetian way of enjoying a stroll with a local creamy frozen specialty.
Venice, Glass and Spectacles Part I
Where were glasses invented? Who produced them originally? Where did production begin? Venice played a leading role in the matter, as can be found out below.
At the Rialto market with… an early 17th century painter
The paintings of Dirck de Vries, also known as Todaro Fiamengo, depict the Rialto market at the beginning of the 17th century. Fruits and vegetables, vendors and customers with the buildings in the background, offer a fascinating portrait of Venice in the past
In Venice with Kids: Masks, not only at Carnival
Hi kids! This is a blog post for you!
It’s Carnival time! Ok, we cannot celebrate it this year, due to the pandemic… but we can still talk and dream about it, can’t we? Read about the Venetian masks that were common in the past, not only during the Carnival. And what about the masks that we use today? Stay tuned: you will have the chance to read about them soon!
Child-friendly visit of the Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and Prison
Also the visit of the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the Venetian government. with its gorgeous rooms and grand paintings, can become an exciting tour for children thanks to statues of Greek and Roman Gods, a considerable collection of weapons and with thrilling stories about the Bridge of Sighs and the dark cells of the Prison.
Venice today and in the past as represented in De Barbari’s view
What was in that spot? How was it? What was built afterwards? Three places in Venice today and in the past as represented in de’ Barbari’s “Bird-eye View of Venice”
Palazzo Mocenigo and perfume in Venice
Palazzo Mocenigo by San Stae in Venice is a 17th century palace that offers an insight into an authentic aristocratic palace with paintings, chandeliers, baroque and rococo pieces of furniture, textiles and costumes. We can also discover there a lot about the history of perfume and the important role Venice played in this trade.
History of the Opera in Venice and of the Malibran theatre
Will we be able to see soon a new Baroque theatre here in Venice according to the wonderful project presented by Paul Atkin last year? It would be superb. In the meanwhile we are happy about the reopening of the Malibran theatre after the recent lockdown. Its name used to be a different one a long time ago.
Portraits of Venice
Venice has often been a favorite subject for painters, and many artworks in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in Ca’ Pesaro depict the floating city. Yet, every artist sees Venice in a different way: here’s a selection of my favorite “portraits of Venice”.
The bells of St Mark’s campanile in Venice
Here is the story of the bells of the campanile in St Mark’s square, how many they used to be, what they were for and how old they are… and a couple of curiosities!
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