New Practical Guide of Venice [antikvár]

VENICE «QUEEN OF THE ADRIATIC» First of ali, why Venice? Let us go back to the time when non-Italie Indo-Europeans settled in the Venetian plains. They very probably came from Illyria in the second millenium B.C. and over-ran the Euganean hills, founded Vicenza, Treviso, Padua, Este, Belluno and other centres. In the first century B.C., these towns were Romanized and it was at this point that the local population was given the name of Venetians. The word Venetians, if truly of Indo-European origin, could mean «noblemen»; if, on the other hand it is pre-Indo-European, its meaning would be «foreigners» or «neweomers». It is to be presumed, therefore that «neweomers» or «novi venti» led to Veneti (Venetians) and thence to Venezia (Venice). Venice took many centuries to develop. The nucleus of the originai settlement was in the area of today's Rialto district. A network of canals was planned and the earth the builders dug up, was used to strengthen the islands of the lagoon. The Grand Canal and the innumerable « rii » (lesser canals) of Venice, which by means of 400 bridges, link over 118 islets to each other today came into being over the centuries: tree-trunks were tightly bound together and used to consolidate the muddy little islands, constituting the foundations of the houses and palaces. From East to West, the town measures 4,260 metres and from North to South it is 2,790 me tres wide. It co vers an area of 7,062 Kmsq. and its perimeter (including the islands of the «Stazione Marittima» (The Ferry Terminal), the island of St. George, of St. Helen and the island of Giudecca is 13,700 metres. When Venice first appears, it looks like a dream - city, springing like a gleaming splendid vision from the waters of the lagoon. Its delicate beauty changes with the seasons and unfolds countless treasures: historical places, naturai beauties, art, the traditional hospitality and kindness of the people ali make it a truly unique place. The famous Grand Canal or «Canalazzo», as it is called by the Venetians, with its marvellous succession of beautiful «palazzi» and picturesque houses is the main throughfare. Its inverted S winds for 3,800 metres through the town and at some points it is 30 and at others 70 metres wide; it is from 5 to 5 and a half metres deep. It flows from North-West to South-East (dividing Venice in two) into the much wider St. Mark's Canal, which reflects the sparkling bulk of the Ducal Palace. The Grand Canal, crossed by three bridges (the Railway bridge, the Rialto and the Academy bridges), together with the 45 «rii» (little canals) that flow into it, link ali the «sestieri» (districts) of the town to each other. The typical «rii» or «rielli» are mostly about 4 or 5 metres wide and can only be used by gondolas. The «rii» are nearly always flanked by narrow, twisty pathways or alleys called «calli». The calli lead into little clearings or squares called «campi» fe if fairly large, or «campielli» - if small. The «rii» can also lead into little dead-ends or courtyards, called «corti». Venice is divided into six «sestieri»: St. Mark, Castello, Cannaregio, Santa Croce, St. Paul, and Dorsoduro (which includes the parish of St. Eufemia on the island of the Giudecca). There are about 100.000 people living in the «sestieri». Venice is 4 kms away from the mainland and is linked to it by ferry-boats, a double railway bridge (3,601 metres long and built 1841-46 and by a road bridge, built in 1931-32, which is 4,070 metres long and 20 metres wide. The two bridges run together for quite a long way.