Historical inspiration in Venice

If you are looking for a different sort of magic, you should go to Venice in the winter time. Since our landing to San Marco airport and during our boat journey to Venice, I already felt that this will be something very unusual: like a dive to a special zone of History and art. Even Venice is a touristic destination, the story of this place and the spirit of all the souls who were walking and living here in the old times left their mark to this isolated city. The tradition, the spirit of the talented people and the esthetic touch of different times are inspiring even a modern day tourist like me. I felt welcome and like I was invited to watch and respect this wonderful place. I wanted to see more than just the glittery shopping streets and easy to drop in restaurants. My first visit here and I fell in love. 

I want to go there again in one winter. 

A view from Accademia Bridge (Canal Grande)

Our first day in Venice was quite clear. Luckily I could take a few quick photos on our walks over the bridges. Some streets were very crowded and once we had to escape the chaos and step into a beautiful church to sit there in silence. Outside I admired some of the small shops where local artist and creative professionals were selling their products. About 50 000 people living in Venice and about 30 million visitors per year. So strange and like out of balance situation. Everything seems to be based on tourism and the local people are disappearing. Every year about 1000 people are leaving. The sea around the City is a beautiful element, but more and more also a risk for all the old buildings and their foundation. The sea level is rising because of the climate change, the quality of water is getting worse and the storms & waves are a threat to Venice coastline. The location and just being an old city makes Venice more vulnerable.

I almost feel guilty I went there, but this visit made me feel hopeful. I felt more love & admiration for the world and saw with my own eyes the special beauty made by human hands. 

This visit felt like a hug from old friend

Trust without a fear, a firm and familiar greet.

Staying open for this world we live in is very important. Allowing us to forget ourselves sometimes and remembering to listen and watch around,  to be interested and respectful to what we have or have opportunity to experience.

Being careful what sort of energy we give outside,  because  energy is circulating. We will get some energy back from others, from the world and  from ourselves. A good energy flow helps us to be present on a moment, use our senses freely and enjoy life.

A trip to Venice was full of meaning and a great Family experience. Our son was turning 18 and being such a big Man now, it was fun how he ordered "grappa" for us all at the restaurant. 

Details from Basilica di San Marco

It was nice finally to see the big Basilica di San Marco in real. I only had time to see it from the outside, but one day I would like to see the inside as well. More visits to art galleries, churches and enjoying water views would be on my bucket list. I would take my time to walk around and breath in the rich culture and balance my steps on narrow side streets few more days. We did not do the gondola drive either, so that would happen too. 

High fashion against retro patina. 

Ponte de Rialto: a marble bridge from 16th century.

During the last afternoon I went to see old Venetian Art at the Gallerie Dell' Accademia. They have a big collection of Art from Venetian artists from 14th to 18th Century. The venetian painters were very well known and some of them went to other destinations in Europe to paint some monuments and influential people. Very many paintings and other artwork at the museum were saved from old churches and palaces of Venice. The religion plays a big role in these works, but you can see how the style changed during the years. The element of Nature is often somehow present in the paintings and compositions. There used to be competition between the main land artist and Venetian style painters. The landscape painting and portraits were popular and the Venetians were the first in Italy to get some new influence from more north part of Europe via Alps. And vice versa, the Venetian style was spreading some new ideas to western painting. 

The new year and the new plans. Everything was a bit open in the start of January, but now there is something nice to look forward in almost every month until summer. Two concert tickets bought, my friends come for a visit, I will go and visit my parents with my daughter and we will visit our son in spring time. Our son will start the last year of high school in South Africa and had to shave all his hair before flying back there. A lot of traditions at school. The children/young adults seem to really be more committed to activities and to their little roles and responsibilities there. It is great to have these different experiences at a young age. 

The family time is getting less, because kids are bigger and having their own plans. It was lovely to be together in Italy. It was so fun to visit the interactive "Leonardo da Vinci-museum" and see how the little kid still lives in all of us. 

A little January Renaissance in Venice gave a lot of inspiration and a clear start for the new year. 

Evening view