Italy in Photos

Piazzza San Marco, 30100 Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy (June 2022)

Venice

Venice is one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, renowned for its beauty, history, and unique relationship with water. Located in north-eastern Italy, Venice rises from a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea and is built across more than one hundred small islands connected by a delicate network of canals and bridges. With no cars and few modern intrusions, the city unfolds as a living museum where everyday life takes place amid centuries-old architecture, shimmering waterways, and a pace defined by footsteps and passing boats.

Founded in the early Middle Ages by communities seeking refuge from invasions, Venice grew into a powerful maritime republic whose influence extended across the Mediterranean. For centuries, it controlled key trade routes linking Europe with the East, amassing immense wealth and cultural prestige. This prosperity is reflected in the city’s grand palaces, richly decorated churches, and public buildings, many of which still stand along the Grand Canal, Venice’s main waterway and most iconic thoroughfare.

At the heart of the city lies Piazza San Marco, often described as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Dominated by the Basilica di San Marco, with its gilded mosaics and Byzantine design, the piazza embodies Venice’s historic ties to the Eastern Mediterranean. Nearby, the Palazzo Ducale once served as the seat of Venetian government and justice, symbolizing the political power and administrative sophistication of the republic. Together, these landmarks offer a vivid introduction to Venice’s artistic and civic identity.

Venice’s neighbourhoods, or sestieri, each possess a distinct character. San Marco is elegant and ceremonial, while Dorsoduro is known for its art institutions and quiet canals. Cannaregio offers a more residential atmosphere and is home to the historic Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe. San Polo and Santa Croce reflect traditional mercantile life, and Castello retains a strong local identity beyond the main tourist routes. Exploring these areas reveals a city of contrasts, where monumental beauty coexists with intimate, everyday scenes.

Art and culture are inseparable from Venice’s identity. The city was home to masters such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, whose works can still be seen in churches and galleries throughout the city. Institutions like the Gallerie dell’Accademia preserve this artistic heritage, while contemporary events such as the Venice Biennale continue to position Venice as a global cultural centre. Music, theatre, and craftsmanship, particularly in glassmaking on the nearby island of Murano, remain vital expressions of Venetian tradition.

Venice’s relationship with the sea shapes not only its economy and architecture but also its daily rhythms. Gondolas, vaporetti, and water taxis replace conventional transport, turning movement through the city into an experience in itself. Seasonal phenomena such as acqua alta, when high tides flood parts of the city, highlight Venice’s vulnerability as well as its resilience. Ongoing preservation efforts aim to protect this fragile environment while maintaining the city’s living character.

Despite its global fame, Venice retains a deeply human dimension. Quiet squares, local markets, and neighbourhood cafés offer moments of calm away from the crowds. Whether admired for its history, artistry, or atmosphere, Venice remains a place unlike any other, an enduring testament to creativity, adaptation, and the enduring allure of a city shaped by water.

The Grand Canal

The Venetian Lagoon