Susie Mammel & Granddaughter
Venice--August 2018
The iconic Lion of St Mark:
St Mark is the patron saint of Venice. In the 9th century a sailor had a vision he was to be the patron saint of Venice. St Mark, according to tradition, died in Alexandria Egypt. The sailors followed the dream, advanced to Alexandria, and stole the body of Mark, packing it in pork so the Muslims wouldn’t suspect. It arrived in Venice to be re-interred in the 1st of the St Marks Basilica
St Mark is the patron saint of Venice. In the 9th century a sailor had a vision he was to be the patron saint of Venice. St Mark, according to tradition, died in Alexandria Egypt. The sailors followed the dream, advanced to Alexandria, and stole the body of Mark, packing it in pork so the Muslims wouldn’t suspect. It arrived in Venice to be re-interred in the 1st of the St Marks Basilica
Bridges:
We are tracking beautiful stone
bridges with flowing curves and sweeping views while wandering Venice. Some have 4 pointed needles atop.
Some have ornate balustrades.
The Pointe de Paglia is where we
viewed the famous Bridge
of Sighs from the waterfront. The
name refers to boats filled with straw, so named when horses and donkeys passed
over. There is a small shrine on this bridge called “the Madonna of the
Gondoliers”. Many of the bridges have such shrines. Another bridge we
crossed was a “Storto” bridge meaning misshapen bridge. When going to the opera
this was the “L shaped” bridge crossing 2 canals. Of course Venice wasn’t built on a grid!
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| Bridge of Sighs on right |
We discovered this artist in Padua at the great medieval city hall. The original frescos were by Giotto but the building and frescos burned to be replaced/rebuilt in renaissance style. The artist, Pesce, is an architect. We loved his chair collection and especially loved it in the Pallazzo Ragione grand hall! Enjoy and watch for the architect-artist!
