There’s more to Venice than just at San Marco (St Mark’s Square). As we stepped away from the square and walked the narrow streets of Venice, we saw some interesting stuff. Here are some of those.

Here’s some info about this bridge that you can tuck away to get some brain cells busy. The Bridge of Sighs received its name in the 17th century, because the prisoners who passed through it on their way to the prison cells on the other side would most likely see the beautiful sight of the lagoon and the island and think of their freedom for the last time. However, it was only in the 19th century that it came to be called the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ after Lord Byron’s famous reference in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage “I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand”. (FYI from “Auntie Wikipedia”).

We also saw shops that have lots of beautiful masks for sale. I found out later that Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition in Venice. Masks are typically worn in the Carnival of Venice, as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status so that the wearer can act more freely, not bound by the standards of the time. I think today, if only it’s possible, there are many who would want to wear a physical mask all the time. Masks have a way of freeing us from the conventions in our culture and society.

After doing all that walking, we joined the rest of my husband’s group for ice cream and our eyes almost came out of their sockets when we saw the big servings.
The cool refreshments were a wonderful treat on a tiring but very good day.
Other posts about ITALY:
LAKE COMO – day trip and transport strike (1 of 2)
LAKE COMO – day trip and transport strike (2 of 2)
A night out in VENICE
VENICE (1 of 3): A city with no cars – visited during the Regata Storica
VENICE (2 of 3): St Mark’s Square –Where everyone goes
VENICE (3 of 3): Gelatos and Masks —>You are here
Travel Photo of the Week 8
Travel Photo of the Week 13
Text & Photos by Alicia Davis