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!
The Malibran and Malibran: the theatre and the singer
On this occasion, I would like to take you on a brief trip across the history of the Malibran Theatre and of the extraordinary singer who gave it its name in 19th century, Maria de la Felicidad Malibran
The Mazzariol Hall: Mario Botta’s reorganization in Palazzo Querini Stampalia
The restoration and reorganization by the Swiss architect Mario Botta of a new ‘wing’ in Palazzo Querini Stampalia lasted for nearly 30 years. Botta redesigned the spaces of the homonymous Foundation that managed over the years to buy progressively several buildings on the eastern side of the Renaissance Querini Stampalia Palace.
Have you ever wondered what Venice was like during the plague?
In Venice, the plague was a scourge that lasted until the end of the 18th century. The Venetian Government adopted ingenious remedies and social policies that were, at that time, cutting-edge; nevertheless, victims numbered in the hundreds of thousands. What might be visited by a curious tourist today in Venice that is connected to the plague?
Books for kids: reading and learning about Venice
Here is short list of English books on Venice one of our BestVeniceGuides suggests for young visitors considering she is a mom, a tourist guide, an author… and a picky traveler herself, besides children’s literature is one of her hidden passions!
Do you like taking pictures? Let’s go to Burano together!
Exploring one of the jewels of the Venetian lagoon, the pretty and colorful Burano island. This is the kingdom of those who love photography and bright colors, like me. Strolling around this island, enjoying the water reflections in a complete surreal atmosphere will make your hearts melt.
The Horses on St Mark’s Basilica’s Terrace: Replicas or Art Works?
On the facade of St Mark’s church there stand four horses in gilded bronze. They are modern reproductions of ancient sculptures looted by Venetians in Constantinople in 1204 and yet, they are more than just faithful replicas, in fact they are works of art of their own
the Contarini Rocca degli Scrigni Palace in Venice
There is a marvelous palace facing the Grand Canal in Venice, between the Accademia and Ca’ Rezzonico. It is called Palazzo Rocca Contarini degli Scrigni: a lot of names, a lot of history: it’s an experience you will never forget.
the Church of the Madonna dell’Orto in Venice – part two
The Church of the Madonna dell’Orto is a real shire of treasures and particularly celebrates a Venetian Renaissance genius: Tintoretto. In this post you can read about some of the most impressive artworks Tintoretto produced in his carrier like The Last Judgment and Moses receiving the Tablets of the Law, and about his burial place.
the Church of the Madonna dell’Orto in Venice: a shrine of treasures – part one
The district of Cannaregio was in the past a buzzing artisanal and mercantile area and has also a lot to offer nowadays. In this post we will focus on the beautiful church of the Madonna dell’Orto and a selected group of artworks by Tintoretto, in order to guide discerning visitors in this shrine of beauty.
Carlo Rezzonico: a Venetian bishop who became Pope!
Carlo Rezzonico was a distinguished Venetian who became Pope Clemens XIII in 1758. He left to Venice an amazing Palace facing the Grand Canal, which serves today as the 18th century Museum
“Pianississimo” and “sospiroso come il Ponte dei Sospiri” – this is how the Museum of Musical Instruments at the Benedetto Marcello conservatory in Palazzo Pisani, Venice, unveils itself
Do you like music? Do you like to see how it is miraculously produced? The Museum of Musical Instruments of the Venice Conservatory displays a number of musical instruments, nice to look at yet more or less mysterious to the non-expert eye. Observing them, though, might open a glimmer of light and, maybe… pierce through darkness…
Carlo Scarpa and the restoration of the ground floor of Palazzo Querini Stampalia in Venice
The Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa remodelled in the early 60ties the ground floor of the Palazzo Querini Stampalia. He added new elements and materials respecting the pre-existing structures using stucco panels, cement, iron elements.
Sewage in Venice: how does it work?
How is sewage in Venice treated? Is it true that it gets into the canals of the city or are there septic tanks treating human waste? An intriguing subject for those interested in learning how a city built on marshland centuries ago nowadays work.
Driving to Saint Mark’s Square?
Today we laugh at the visitors who think you can get to St. Mark’s Square by car or by bus, but this was not such a strange idea for the engineers of the late 19th century who were trying to transform Venice in a “modern” city: let’s have a look at some projects aimed at making the lagoon city suitable for vehicles.
Celestial harmonies: musical instruments in Venetian paintings currently on display at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice
Music almost dates back to the time men and women first appeared on Earth, but it is only in Medieval times that paintings started suggesting Heaven was even more beautiful with angel musicians playing music. At the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice, we can see how ancient instruments (for which paintings often provide rare testimonies) were originally only played by angels, followed by brothers during processions and religious festivities and later also by poets or simple musicians.
Discovering Querini Stampalia Palace in Venice
We begin our journey into the past by entering the Querini Stampalia Palace from Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Once you cross the threshold, what immediately strikes you is the atmosphere of calm and tranquillity, the same that will characterize all rooms.
Querini Stampalia Palace in Venice
We want to start a journey into the past through the enchanting rooms of the Querini Stampalia Foundation museum. A journey to discover every single detail which – for centuries – has characterized the life of the noble Querini family, and now we can admire in its stunning evidence
Venice and its Jewels: Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei – Fortuny
Mariano Fortuny was an eclectic genius of the early 1900’s: he was a painter and a scenographer, he was interested in light effects, in theater, in costumes and fabric… he designed fabulous dresses and robes, printing the fabric with unique patterns through the use of original woodcuts, and invented a particular technique to create thin folds in silk cloth.
Why you get lost in Venice: a praise to wanderings
Is there a reason why everyone in Venice gets lost? Cruelty or sense of humour of the ones that built the city? And how can you find your way in Venice? Trusting your smartphone and GPS navigator? Asking directions? Or simply follow the people along some busy streets? Or planning carefully all details…?
The grotesques of Palazzo Grimani in Venice
One of the most striking features of Palazzo Grimani (metterei il tag del museo) are its frescoed ceilings, painted by Giovanni da Udine and Camillo Mantovano with mythological stories, natural elements and many “grotesques”. But what are grotesques? Let’s explore their fascinating history, from antiquity to Palazzo Grimani
Why do we all love Venice?
Venice is a marvelous and unique city. Learn about the secret corners of Venice, about its jewels hidden in the maze of narrow streets, about the places that most of the tourists want to discover just by standing on a roof top terrace.
Venice and its jewels: the Golden Altarpiece – Pala d’Oro
the Golden Altarpiece, Pala d’Oro, right behind the main altar of St. Mark’s Basilica, is one of the most impressing and spectacular ‘jewels’. Learn more about the amazing history, the religious themes and the enamel technique.
The “corintha machina“ of Scuola Grande della Misercordia in Venice is reborn
the Tuscan poet Aretino defined in a letter of 1537 to Sansovino the Scuola Grande della Misericordia as the “corintha machina“. This amazing former confraternity reopened a few years ago its doors after a successful long and expensive restoration
Ca’ Zenobio and the Armenian Collegio in Venice
History of a Venetian palace and of the Armenian community that has been present in Venice for centuries.
A visit to the palace is a perfect start on an unusual itinerary in search of Armenian traces in Venice.
What can you do if you find high tide in Venice? The tide on 29th October 2018
First of all, don’t freak out! High tide in Venice is a natural phenomenon that always happened in the city. Venetians are used to it and we are prepared!! The flooding season is usually in winter, from October to March.
Professor Giuseppe Jona: a remarkable example of a Venetian citizen during a dark period in the 20th century
Professor Giuseppe Jona was a remarkable Venetian citizen in a dark period. After having graduated in Medicine at the University of Padua, he worked as a physician at the Venetian hospital, he taught Pathological Anatomy in Padua, he became a Chief Physician in Anatomy and Medicine in Venice, he was President of the Ateneo Veneto and in 1940 President of the Jewish community.
Presences of Mariano Fortuny Y Madrazo in Venice or ‘le but de ma vie est l’Art’
Mariano Fortuny was a multifaceted versatile talented person and had a vast eclectic culture. He was a fashion and costume designer, an inventor, a photographer with a skilled eye and created many lamps, fabrics and garments. He spent many decades of his life in Venice, in Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei, and purchased a former convent area with garden on the Giudecca island for his factory bringing it back to life
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