Venice: The Floating City

lunes, 8 de mayo de 2017

Venice: The Floating City

Known as La Basilica di San Marco, this cathedral is an example of the Venetian wealth.

Italy’s history and its changes through time have been one of the most discussed topics among historians. The foundations of the Roman Empire started in the early years of Italy with the joining of the Italic tribes that formed the first Roman Kingdom.

The influence the Roman Empire continued through history, with the rise of the first king of Italy. Afterward, the Italian Peninsula went under many dynastic and non-dynastic periods, and it wasn’t until the year 1453, that the Roman Empire ended with the Fall of Constantinople. With the Renaissance, the rising of humanism began in Italy: Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli were among the minds that flourished during this period, further becoming an influence in the culture of Italy.

The birth of Venice is part of this period’s history, as originally this city was annexed by the Austrian Empire. Nonetheless, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. The beauty of this town was well known across all Europe, being the most elegant and further influencing art, architecture, and literature.

Saint Mark’s Basilica, also known as the Church of Gold, is one example of the beauty this city has to offer. From the outside to the inside, this church is a work of art: the interior has influences of the Constantinople’s Church, with a presbytery filled with statues influenced by the Gothic style. The exterior is full of statues, and up in the large central window you can see the St. Mark symbol (a winged lion), and above it, there’s a book quoting: “Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus” which translates to “Peace to you Mark, my evangelist.”

There a connection between this Church and the Gallerie dell’Accademia, as most of the original compositions of the mosaics and paintings are found in Gentile Bellini’s great "Procession in Piazza San Marco". This museum gallery is housed in the Scuola della Carità on the south bank of the Grand Canal inside the sestiere of Dorsoduro. There are many beautiful paintings exposed in this museum, most of them influenced by religion as many of the painters are from the Renaissance period.

The art and culture from Venice owe lots of their roots to the strong influence the Renaissance had in Italy. As pioneers of this movement, the art of humanism is something that can be felt when visiting Venice as well. This destination is a must for anyone, no matter their cultural interests. Contact with Cruise Planners – Jason Hantman to check and set your traveling course now.