(...)
Turning around from the Doge's Palace we walked along Piazzeta towards the left where we came across rows of "lonely" gondolas, which was naturally expected at such an early hour. Ponte dei Sospiri (The bridge of the Sighs) could be seen just behind Ponte della Paglia.
This early seventeenth century baroque structure is said to have been walked by sighing condemned prisoners on their way to the Palace's dungeons.
This early seventeenth century baroque structure is said to have been walked by sighing condemned prisoners on their way to the Palace's dungeons.
Ponte della Paglia
Ponte dei Sospiri
We then turned at San Zacharia into the inner area of Castello with its intricate canals and very narrow crooked streets, so as to reach Fondamenta Nuove.
Having a map didn't help us in any way, as most bridges and no way streets were not signalled out ... so rather than having to walk in circles we just set our minds in terms of a geographical direction, hoping to reach the "Vaporetti" quay in time to catch the next motor boat going across to Burano.
We soon realised that Venice's beauty also lied on its little details ... and every time we looked somewhere there would be one or more to catch our attention ... the fact that we had a tight schedule made it a rather difficult choice for us..., as we felt like strolling along ... without having to worry about the limited time.
Had we had more time and we would have certainly got off at the various stops along that Northern Venetian Lagoon, particularly Murano and Torcello, though our intention was primarily to step off at Burano, which we did.
It was still very quiet and though the boat was filled with foreign visitors and a few local residents, most got off before Burano.
Considered a haven for artists, Burano is known for its multi-coloured houses, fishing and embroidered needle lace.
According to the legend a fisherman is said to have resisted the charm of the mermaids singing and was therefore granted a nuptial veil created with the foam of the water movement, as the mermaid Queen hit his boat with her tail.
On the wedding day the fisherman's bride was highly admired and her veil appreciated by most women on the island who later tried to re-create the effect of the veil by using very thin thread.
The first Burano lace trace back to 1500, most of its designs being geometric or with flowers and animals.
Strolling around those small canals sided by vividly coloured homes was like entering a completely different world ... a sort of fairy-like magic world where the bright colour patterns eased any possible sadness ..., though according to yet another legend these were intended to help the fishermen find the way to their homes after coming in at night in dense fog.
It was still very quiet and though the boat was filled with foreign visitors and a few local residents, most got off before Burano.
Considered a haven for artists, Burano is known for its multi-coloured houses, fishing and embroidered needle lace.
According to the legend a fisherman is said to have resisted the charm of the mermaids singing and was therefore granted a nuptial veil created with the foam of the water movement, as the mermaid Queen hit his boat with her tail.
On the wedding day the fisherman's bride was highly admired and her veil appreciated by most women on the island who later tried to re-create the effect of the veil by using very thin thread.
The first Burano lace trace back to 1500, most of its designs being geometric or with flowers and animals.
Strolling around those small canals sided by vividly coloured homes was like entering a completely different world ... a sort of fairy-like magic world where the bright colour patterns eased any possible sadness ..., though according to yet another legend these were intended to help the fishermen find the way to their homes after coming in at night in dense fog.
(To be continued)
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