Venice is the "Mistress of the Sea": A UNESCO Site in Italy

Venice is the “Mistress of the Sea”: A UNESCO Site in Italy

Lavishly adorned palazzi like Ca d’Oro and Ca’ Rezzonicone line the Grand Canal. These palaces are embellished with Baroque magnificence and Rococo elegance. Gondolas and Vaporetti (water buses) transport residents and exuberant tourists through paradise via waterways.

Ca' d'Oro, Venice facade. Français : Ca' d'Oro à Venise Vue de la façade. Italiano: Ca' d'Oro Venezia Facciat. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

View to Santa Maria della Salute over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After the fall of the Roman Empire, mainland refugees settled the sparse islands to escape waves of invasions. These residents harvested seafood from the canals of the Adriatic Sea for sustenance. Eventually, they became sailors and then wealthy sea merchants. This gateway to the Asia became a major maritime power in the 10^th century. Exotic spices like saffron, cinnamon and curry fueled the Venetian Empire. Salt was a crucially important profit center for the Venetians. The term salary is derived from the Venetian practice of being paid in salt. The extraordinary profits earned through trade, filled the coffers of the patrons of the flourishing artists. Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a prominent Venetian explorer who traveled to Asia.

This enchanting city is an architectural masterpiece with domes, spires and campaniles. St. Mark’s basilica and the Doge’s Palace constitute the fulcrum of Venetian religious and civic life.

The work of Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese adorn her magnificent buildings. Saint Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is the location of some of the major attractions including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Sansovino Library. Saint Mark is represented by the winged lion surmounting one of the tall 12^th century granite columns. The gorgeous church of Santa Maria della Salute has a prime location on the mouth of the Grand Canal. Purchase a museum card or Museum Pass to avoid long lines at key sites in Venice.

Giusto Le Court, main altar in Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute Italiano: Giusto Le Court, altare prinicipale in Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Photo credit: Wikipedia)