Churches, Venice

Favorite thing:

There is a beautiful church on the little island of San Giorgio Maggiore, which was designed by the great Renaissance architect Palladio. Unfortunately I didn't see the church itself, but only this view from a distance. There is so much to see in Venice, that it is impossible to see it all.

A nice thing to do is to take the elevator (for 2.50€) to the top of the belfry. The view from here must be great. You can see the greenery of the island itself, the lagoon, and the Doge's Palace across the way.

Favorite thing:
Surmounted by a great cupola, the octagonal basilica makes for an interesting visit: It houses a small art gallery in its sacristy, which includes a marriage feast of Cana by Tintoretto, allegorical paintings on the ceiling by Titian, a mounted St. Mark, and poor St. Sebastian with his inevitable arrow.

Open :
Hours Mar-Nov daily 9am-noon and 3-6pm (to 5:30pm Dec-Feb)

Address : Campo della Salute, Dorsoduro

Take the Vaporetto to 'Salute' to get here.

Prices :Free admission (but offering is expected); sacristy 1.50€

Favorite thing:
This is one of Venice's most historic churches, it was built by Longhena in the 17th century (work began in 1631) as an offering to the Virgin for delivering the city from the plague. Venice was devastated by a plague that exterminated 95.000 of the lagoon's population. In October 1630 the Senate decreed that a new church would be dedicated to Mary if the city were saved and the result was the Salute church (salute="salvation, health").

Favorite thing: One nice thing to do is to go to a concert of one sort or another. These range from extreemly posh and expensive to very humble and cheap. As we stumbled through the streets we found some flyers advertizing a concerto. While Michelle and I didn't find this specific one, we did find another that night in a small church. It was relatively cheap (L10,000) but wonderful.

Fondest memory: I can't describe how wonderful it was to be one of 30 people seated in the pews around the performers. The church was dark outside of some lights for the performers. The sound completely filled the entire sanctuary. Only one thing kept it from being perfect, the pews which had to double as medieval torture devices. Just about the most uncomfortable things I have ever had the displeasure to sit in. Otherwise, the performance was quite good for the price. Apparently there are these types of things all the time. I'd recomend it in a heartbeat.

Favorite thing: Italys coast from Triest to Venice is a paradise for familys with young people. We lived in Bibionne for two weeks and where ever we went people were nice and helpful.
Ourgreatest memory was among others the nice boattrip from Bibonne to Venice with a big yacht.

Fondest memory: That you always should dress nice if you want to attend churches in Italy. No fancy miniskirts our bare shoulders. Then you will be left out in the 'cold'

Favorite thing: Here I am again. This time at Santa Maria di Nazareth. This beautiful church is full of beautiful art work painted by Tiepolo from around 1670.

Favorite thing: was standing on the bridge over the canal, looking back....my eyes needed adjusting to this much beauty ...