Venice as Seen and Described by Famous Writers (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Venice as Seen and Described by Famous Writers

As in my similar books on London and Paris, I have fol lowed a general plan of topographical arrangement. There fore, we begin with a general View of the Lagoons and the Outer Rim from which we catch a distant glimpse of Venice. We then enter a gondola and float along the Grand Canal with Gautier to point out its array of palaces and monuments of fame, beauty and historical interest, pausing to learn from Molmenti of the luxurious interiors of the Patri cian's Palaces in their prime. Santa Maria della Salute, The Rialto, the Ca' d'oro and the Fondachi claim our attention until we land and ascend the Campanile, with Henry Havard to aid us in recognising the chief buildings at our feet and the misty blue mountain peaks in the far distance. After this bird's-eye view of luminous Venice, framed by her lagoons, we enter St. Mark's to study its architecture, sculptures and mosaics, and next stop to enjoy the Piazza and learn the sig nificance of its famous columns. The Ducal Palace then claims our interest, without and within. Our travels through the city are now interrupted by the examination of some mas terpieces of Venetian painting, described by Taine; after which, we again enter our gondola to visit some of the churches of especial note, wells and squares, and side-canals, which happily for us are not yet filled up. We enjoy a few afternoon excursions to islands from Chioggia on the south to Torcello on the north, - and thus our visit ends.

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