Life on the Water: Venice!
Friday, June 29, 2018
One of our third grade homework prompts asks students to imagine what would happen if all the streets were turned into water. But you don't have to use your imagination in Venice. There are no cars or roadways in Venice--only canals and boats! The city is made up of 118 tiny islands connected by hundreds of bridges. Venice became a popular place to live during the fall of the Roman Empire. People ran from their homes in Padua and other nearby cities when they were attacked by invaders from Germany. They moved to the Venetian islands and learned to build homes on the marshy land and water. The early Venetians drove long wooden posts deep into the mud and water. Limestone was placed on top of these wooden poles to support streets and buildings. Over time, the salt water has caused this wood to become petrified like a fossil. Many of the original wooden poles are still there from 1,500 years ago--except that they have been turned to stone! The ancient Romans were incredible builders who knew how to make things last!
No visit to Venice is complete with a ride on a gondola. A gondola is a long Venetian row boat, similar to a canoe. (If you can't make it to Venice, you can get a small taste by taking a gondola ride on Indianapolis' Central Canal.)
No visit to Venice is complete with a ride on a gondola. A gondola is a long Venetian row boat, similar to a canoe. (If you can't make it to Venice, you can get a small taste by taking a gondola ride on Indianapolis' Central Canal.)
While in Venice, our tour group also visited the Doges' Palace. Doges were the elected leaders of Venice from 697 to 1797. Like the United States, Venice was a republic in these years. But it did not exactly work the same way our republic does. For one, only rich, important men were able to vote for the doge. The doge would be elected for the rest of his life.
Criminals in Venice were also treated harshly. Below is the famous "Bridge of Sighs." The bridge led from the Doges' Palace to the prison. After being found guilty, prisoners would look through the windows on this bridge for one last look at the city before entering the prison. Today the palace and prison are a museum.
Criminals in Venice were also treated harshly. Below is the famous "Bridge of Sighs." The bridge led from the Doges' Palace to the prison. After being found guilty, prisoners would look through the windows on this bridge for one last look at the city before entering the prison. Today the palace and prison are a museum.
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On to happier topics, Venice is a popular place for glass blowing. (So is Malta!) We were given a demonstration inside the glass factory. Here we watched one of the expert glass blowers make a beautiful glass vase with a horse on top. In about five minutes, the flaming blob you see here turned into a beautiful piece of art!
Finally, you know I have to post about food. I had a delicious lunch in Venice. Below, you see liver and onions cooked Venetian style. It was the best liver and onions I have ever eaten. I think the olive oil had something to do with it. (Italians really do have the best olive oil!) The yellow food you see is Polenta, an Italian food made from corn flour.
On family holidays when we have coffee and dessert, my grandfather has always called it the "Venetian Hour." Well, I had my own Venetian hour in Venice with the local dessert: Tiramisu! I also enjoyed a cup of espresso with my tiramisu.
On family holidays when we have coffee and dessert, my grandfather has always called it the "Venetian Hour." Well, I had my own Venetian hour in Venice with the local dessert: Tiramisu! I also enjoyed a cup of espresso with my tiramisu.