Piazza San Marco looking towards St Mark's Basilica and it's bell tower. The west facade of the church is comprised of great arches, and marble decorations, and Romanesque carvings around the central doors. The square is ideal for the fat pigeons who congregate there hoping for hand outs from the tourists.
St. Mark's Campanile is the free standing bell tower of the Basilica. The original 9th to 12th century bell tower was built on Roman foundations. Through the centuries the tower was damaged by lightning strikes and fire and was often under repair. In 1902 the tower collapsed (the caretaker's cat was the only victim, how sad) and was rebuilt on the same Roman foundations in 1912, 1000 years after the original construction.
The front of Saint Mark's Basilica is covered with decorative carvings. The first St. Mark's church was completed in AD 832, burned in 976, and rebuilt in 978. The current church was consecrated around AD 1093, but has seen many changes since then. Gradually the outer brickwork became covered with marble and carvings.
The Men of Note's first performance on the concert tour was at evening Mass in St. Mark's Basilica. What an honour to raise their voices in such a beautiful church. Some of their repertoire sung in Latin: Veni Creator Spiritus, Morte Christi, and Ave Maris Stella.
Unfortunately it wasn't possible to video the performance, even though we had prior permission.
No foto! Nessun video! Non possibile!
Most of Venice is built at sea level so after a very stormy and rainy day, the rainwater has nowhere to go, and water was bubbling up out of the drains to flood St Mark's Square. St Mark's Campanile reflects in the puddles.
more pictures to come
If you have visited Venice, leave me a comment and tell me about it.
It is all so very very Beautiful-----What a fantastic trip, my dear.....I've seen that wonderful famous Square in photo's, many many times, and there are always so many Birds just waiting to be Fed and getting fed....It looks like a grand place for 'people watching', too!
ReplyDeleteOn my bucket list of places I would love to visit.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that the men's performance must have been heavenly and the last photo of the water standing in the Square is beautiful.
Lovely photos of Venice again. As for the flooding, perhaps they could teach us a thing or two next time it floods in Combe or CM. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou have taken us on a great guided tour round Venice. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteLovely reflection in the puddles. Ah, the ubiquitous t-shirts and hats. ;)) The basilica is so beautiful!
ReplyDeletelove the reflection of the Campanile!
ReplyDeleteVenice is so attractive and your travel to Venice looks fantastic. I scrolled down to the first series of this travelogue. Similar to the melting glaciers worldwide,to see Venice is kind of seeing species on the verge of extinction.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I have been to Venice, it was beautiful and fascinating. Also very expensive!
ReplyDelete