The city built on water

---

Geo: 45.3374, 12.1379

Today I was dropped off at the train station and caught the train to Venice. My plan was to spend the day buying souvenirs to put into dad's suitcase, wander the streets, go into the basilica and see a museum. Got off the train at the end of the line- Venice and wandered around the streets. Came across a local market and today was the first time after many times that I have been here that I saw locals greeting each other- usually the place is full of tourists. Looked in many shops, made some purchases. A hour and a half later of arriving in the city I came to St Mark's Square. The line to go into the basilica was very short, 5 minutes later I was in there. I had forgotten how marvelous the gold mosaiced ceiling is, unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take photos. The mosaic stone flooring is uneven- have watch where you are walking! The basilica is Byzantine style and was built for the resting place of St Mark, whose body is in here, somewhere.
I then waited in a short queue to get the lift up the bell tower. From up here there was a great view of the city. It was built in the 16th century and re-built in 1902 when it collapsed. I then continued walking around the city and slowly made my way to the train station. Today was a great day, not many tourists around and a beautiful blue sky. The weather in Italy so far has been much warmer than London was when I left.

---

Photos

01 Market
A fruit and vegetable market.

02 Canal
One of the many canals.

03 Well in the middle
A well in the middle of a quiet city square.

04 Little bridge
A little bridge.

05 Canal
Another canal.

06 Grand Canal
The main thoroughfare of Venice.

07 Gondola crossing
A gondola crossing the Grand Canal.

08 Basilica
The entrance to St Marks Basilica.

09 Bell tower
The bell tower of St Marks Square.

10 St Marks Square
The square is surrounded by museums. This is the view from the top of the basilica.

11 St Marks Clocktower
An entrance to the square is through the bottom of the clocktower.

12 Piazetta
St Marks Piazetta. Doge's Palace to the left and the bell tower to the right.

13 Lamp post
Looking out to the lagoon while I was in line for the bell tower.

14 Bell tower shadow
Clock tower, bell tower shadow and basilica.

15 Shadow
View from the top of the bell tower.

16 St Marks Square
View of the square from the top.

17 Entrance to the square
The entrance to St Marks Square.

18 Doge's Palace
The top of the Doge's Palace.

19 St Marks Basilica
Looking down on the basilica.

20 Bell tower
Looking towards St Marks Square.