Venice, Day 3: Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is the main waterway in Venice. It forms a reversed S shape through the central districts of Venice and divides Venice into two parts. The transportation is provided by traditional gondolas, water buses (vaporetti), water taxi, and private boats.

The north end of the Grand Canal leads to Santa Lucia train station. The south ends leads to St. Mark Basin.

Along the Grand Canal, you can find several landmarks such as palaces and churches. The Grand Canal is lined with more than 170 buildings that were mostly built from the 13th to the 18th century. Many were commissioned by wealthy Venetian families.

Riato Bridge is the main bridge connecting north and south. It is surrounded by numerous shops. There are also shops on the bridge. Unfortunately, the bridge was under restoration and there was some stupid fashion ads on the bridge. It totally ruined the view. I decided not to show the picture of Riato Bridge. This happens a lot in Italy. You can even find cellphone ads on the side of the church, for instance Milan Duomo. Seriously, there is plenty of tourist money going around already. There is no need to sell out. 

Approaching Santa Maria della Salute

The ground floor of most buildings on the Grand Canal almost submerge in water. During high tide, they will be flooded without a doubt. It must be a nightmare to maintain them.

Gondolas station on the Grand Canal and San Giorgio Maggiore in the distance

The above photo is the shore at St. Mark's Square. You can see one of two columns, this one is topped with St. Theodore, the first Patron Saint of Venice. That round dome in the distance is Santa Maria della Salute.

Gondoliers taking a break in the morning 

By the shore near St. Mark's Square, you can find a few street artists in not very historical correct costumes. You can have your pictures taken with a street artist for a fee. This one in the above picture is actually the better one, the good one. Some of them look like drifters who got their costumes, having nothing to do with traditional Venetian style for that matter, from a dollar store just to make a quick buck. That explains why business is slow.

The above photograph is San Giorgio Maggiore viewed from the main island. San Giorgio Maggiore is one of the islands of Venice. It is located near the south end of the Grand Canal. The building with white facade is the Roman Catholic Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Designed by Andrea Palladio, the church is very important to the history of Venetian architecture. Palladio adapted the classical renaissance style in his design in 1566. The result was a total triumph. Inside the church, it was decorated by Tintoretto and Bassano’s artworks. Church of San Giorgio Maggiore was completed in 1610.