Venice - the last photos :)

Here are a few photos that didn't fit into any of the other blogs, and one special place that we managed to visit just before we flew home.

This church was opposite the Opera House, this was part of the art festival that was going on while we were in Venice. I believe that the light installations are meant to represent the fact that the roof of this church had collapsed at some time.

I don't usually do photos of food, but I had to include this. We had this fantastic lunch on the Island of Burano, all seafood, so tasty! Can you see the baby squid? It tasted amazing, all of it :)

After our visits to the Doge's Palace and the Basilica we were waiting to meet my son, and were heading in the direction of our Airbnb. We passed a Hotel where a young lady was inviting people to go into the hotel for drinks. We decided that that was just what we needed so we followed her into the hotel. She asked if we would like to sit indoors or outside? Thinking there must be a tiny courtyard we asked to go outside. We were led through the dining room to a large sliding glass door which in turn  led to a tiny alcove containing a table and two chairs right on the edge of one of the canals!! It was amazing sitting there watching the Gondolas pass by and just enjoying the peace and quiet. Apparently this tiny space is usually reserved for special occasions, like couples getting engaged. We were so lucky to be able to spend an hour or so sitting there :)

Gondolas passing by :)

Gorgeous reflections :)

The view from the alcove :)

The photos below were taken by my daughter  :)

Our last morning and it was raining :( We had a yummy breakfast in a local cafe then set off to see if we could find our way to the Libreria Acqua Alta (the bookshop of floods). This bookshop is famous for the steps behind the shop made of books, as shown above. The books that were used to make the steps were sadly ruined in a flood, such a shame to see the ruined books, but they have made the bookshop famous. 

The bookshop's own Gondola, alongside the Fire Escape notice!!

Books on display in tubs and boats, this is in case there is another flood, as these wooden vessels will float!

The bookshop is also famous for its cats, this one was the only we saw but he looked very capable of looking after the books and the shop :)

Books stacked in a Gondola so they will float if there is ever another flood.

After our visit to the Bookshop we made our way back to catch the Vaporetto to the Airport, I think you will have been able to see that we had a fabulous holiday :)

Just a couple more photos - The Rialto Bridge at night, and below the Grand Canal as seen from the Rialto Bridge.

Farewell beautiful Venice, I hope I will be able to visit you again one day :)

Venice - The Horses and some amazing views :)

 

The original bronze horse statues that stood on St Mark's Basilica for centuries. These horses were captured from Constantinople in 1204, and were put in place on the loggia of St. Mark's Basilica at that time. They were looted by Napoleon in 1797 and it is thought they were mounted on the Arc De Triumph in Paris, but were returned to Venice in 1815. They stood in place from then until 1979 when they were moved into the Museum in the Basilica and replaced by exact copies.

Our first sight of these amazing statues :) I was so pleased to see them up close!

This one really caught my eye, he is so gorgeous :)

They all actually look like they are having fun :)

After admiring the original horses we went out on to the loggia to admire the replica horses and the amazing views over St. Mark's square.

How about this for a view of St.Mark's Square? So lovely to get up high to get some photos :)

Looking towards the Grand Canal and the two famous pillars.

 The Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana (the Library) opposite the Doge's Palace

Back to the horses, they are beautiful :)

The Astrological Clock 

That view again, amazing :)

We had a really good day out, the next day we flew home, but we still managed to fit in a bit more sight seeing. 

Venice - St Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica, time to go inside :)

Our first sight of  this amazing building.

The entrance to the Basilica, the ceiling mosaic tiles are made from 24ct gold leaf fused onto glass! 

This is the view as you enter the main part of the Basilica.

A small side chapel in the background.

Looking towards the main altar, 

Ceiling mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the semi dome of the apse.

Approaching the main altar.

The main altar, what is amazing is what is behind this screen.

Walking round to the Pala d'Oro (the altar retable)

...to see this wonderful sight, 1927 precious gems and stones mounted on gold, finished in 1105.

A detail from the Pala d'Ora, a truly amazing piece of work.

Looking up to one of the side galleries.

One of the side chapels.

On the way up to the Museum, above is one of the ceilings.

Looking down into the main body of the Church.

A last look up to one of the domes :)

And finally some examples of the marble floors in the Basilica.

Next blog we finally get close up to the horses :)