Images of Venice

About. “Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

Beautiful photography of Venice and highly informative posts, let you discover and experience this city in a unique way. See and experience all the elements, colour, texture and detail that characterise this historic city and get a better understanding and appreciation of its history and rich cultural heritage.

Presently, 52 themed galleries boasting more than 900 exhibition-quality images and 240 detailed, illustrated posts serve as a distinctive, non-commercial resource for enthusiasts of Venice and exquisite photography. The site’s dual focus on contemporary presentation and an advertisement-free experience, distinguishes it from the multitude of tourist-oriented or image-centric websites found online. Another aspect is the vast diversity and scope of information accessible.

Its core purpose, is to disseminate my passion and expertise about this remarkable city; enabling you also, to quickly become a “Venice expert.” To facilitate this, my posts not only contain relevant internal links, but also features valuable external links, and in an increasing number of entries – the novel addition of selected YouTube videos and original poetry!

Research is crucial for a successful visit, particularly when time is constrained. Understanding Venice prior to your trip, enhances both your experience and enjoyment of your visit, and also the productivity of your photography. The website provides an excellent foundation for further study and exploration.

How to benefit. “Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

Photography. Venice is renowned as one of the world’s most photographed cities, offering boundless opportunities for photography. However, the images commonly found online often feature repetitive subjects and perspectives, and they sometimes look artificially enhanced. Venice has far more to offer! The diverse array of gallery themes showcased here will provide you with both ideas and inspiration to enhance your photography and foster a broader, more personal style.

Successful photography involves elevating your awareness and consciousness. This site aims to assist you in ‘seeing’ rather than just ‘looking,’ encouraging a more discerning approach; after all, ‘less’ can often mean ‘more’—more for the imagination. It’s about capturing images that others might overlook. The contrast between your ‘preconceptions’ of Venice and the ‘perceptions’ that greet you upon arrival; is what truly ignites the imagination.

Venice is a city characterized by “stone, water, colour, and texture,” all shaped by time, weather, and, fortunately, minimal pollution today. Nestled within its own lagoon, it is a canvas of constantly shifting direct and reflected light on water, bestowing upon Venice its enchanting allure, cherished by artists, writers, and poets alike.

Contrary to common perceptions about “detail,” I often opt to photograph during the off-season, amidst the wet and damp. When stone meets water, its colours and textures awaken. Indeed, winter visits boast numerous advantages: more affordable travel and lodging, attractions less crowded with minimal queuing, enchanting sea mists shrouding the city, and of course, “acqua alta.” While the latter may be a nuisance to some, it provides unique experiences and remarkable photographic opportunities, as evidenced by my gallery images. In Venice, adapting your photography to both the unpredictable weather and the daily influx of people is essential. Victorian artists and writers, returning after Napoleon’s fall, frequently spoke of Venice’s “duality” – the “superficial” and the “hidden.” For some, the “real” Venice lies “far from the maddening crowds.” My image galleries demonstrate what can be achieved in any weather and lighting conditions, whether in popular tourist spots or the backstreets. I invite you to explore my “Photographing Venice” posts on the blog page.

Planning your trip. Thorough research is essential for a fruitful visit. The more informed you are about Venice prior to your trip, the more enriching your experience and the more effective your photography will be. Compile lists of sights you wish to see and photographs you aim to capture. Utilize the available information while traveling or during downtime at your accommodation, particularly if your stay in the city is brief. My detailed and illustrated posts are designed to be comprehensive, providing all the necessary information and serving as an excellent foundation for further exploration and research.

Why Venice? “Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

I adore Venice for its unparalleled uniqueness; there’s simply nothing else like it in the world. It’s a labyrinth of canals and pathways, emerging from 119 small islands connected by roughly 400 bridges, all seemingly floating in the midst of its own lagoon. In comparison to other European cities, Venice’s historic center is quite compact, making everything visually accessible. As the city evolved, space became a luxury, leading to tightly packed buildings that also contributed to their stability in a city erected on stakes. Venice’s lagoon setting diminished the necessity for extensive fortifications. The narrow streets enhance one’s attention to detail. Moreover, the blend of pedestrian paths and aquatic transportation allows for swift movement with minimal exhaustion—the pavements are firm, and the bridges, plentiful.

Who could ever imagine, that out a malarial infected swamp with low level islands, mostly around one metre above sea-level; such a Republic would emerge; that has given us a culture of great architecture, art, music and much more. One that survived and thrived for more than five centuries, because of its political, economic and naval prowess; until its slow decline and the eventual fall. 

Venice epitomizes the essence of relationships and balance, which is evident even today. Its development is distinguished by the unique interplay of “humanity against nature”; its “triumph over adversity”; “survival over decline”; the close relationship and bond between “the state, church and its people”; its blend of “east and west” and the relationship between “permanence and transience”. This latter relationship, is particularly evident in the street art and advertisements that adorn walls and public utility structures.

What captivates us about Venice is the sense of unparalleled beauty infused with a picturesque sense of decay, creating a romantic ambiance cherished by travelers, writers, poets, and artists for centuries. Additionally, the interplay of direct and reflected light upon the water’s surface is mesmerizing.

Yet, Venice remains a living, vibrant city, grappling with and adapting to the 21st century. Concerns about the future are echoed in contemporary art-world mantras like “changing place – changing time – changing thoughts – changing future” and “adapting for the 21st century.”

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Ian Coulling is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society  (rps.org), awarded in 1985 for his contribution to the field of Pictorial Photography. He is proud to be associated with the world’s most prestigious photographic society; founded in 1853 and granted a Royal Charter in 2004.

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  Click the link: Access to the complete “Index of Blog Posts”

NEW.  Venice – Calendar of Events 2025.  With its plethora of festivals, exhibitions and public holidays, the historic city never ceases to amaze. Many are based on centuries old traditions, that still live on today. For the upcoming year of 2025, this useful “early” post gathers together Venice’s main event dates for 2025 (as published, late November 2024). The post will be updated, as some provisional dates are confirmed and more event information becomes available.

NEW.  Santa Maria Assunta. Commonly known as I Gesuiti, it is a church in Cannaregio, Venice; just behind the Fondamenta Nuove vaporetto-A stop. The recently restored church is renowned worldwide among its aficionados, for the beauty of its white and green marble decorations. However, its significance extends beyond its religious importance; it serves as a guardian of Venetian art and culture. The church is home to masterpieces by renowned Venetian artists, among them Titian.

NEW.  Santa Maria del Rosario.  Also known as “I Gesuati,” it is a Dominican church located in the Dorsoduro district of Venice. Overlooking the Giudecca Canal, the 18th-century classical-style building known as “St. Mary of the Rosary” boasts a luminous interior and is remarkable for maintaining its original design and Rococo decorations.

NEW. The Ca’ d’Oro.  A Gothic masterpiece and the most celebrated palazzo on the Grand Canal in Venice, housing the “Galleria Giorgio Franchetti”.  Also known as Palazzo Santa Sofia, this edifice is among the city’s oldest, dubbed the “golden house” for the gilt and polychrome adornments that once embellished its exterior. It is now renowned for the intricacy of its architectural features, and decorative elements

NEW. Photographing Venice – Old Doors and Service Boxes. Capturing images ecapsulating time, memories and the beauty of decline. Whether made of wood or metal, these aged door surfaces often become layered over time with paper – posters, stickers, and personal messages; frequently embellished with graffiti.

NEW.  Photographing Venice – Transforming decaying walls into art.  The effects of time, moisture and microorganisms, on its brick and stucco walls. This post is in two parts: 1. An outline of general information about building materials used in Venice, causes of deterioration in walls, restoration efforts and how you can support preservation efforts. 2. A visual feast of selected images, demonstrating these pictorial effects. 

NEW.  The Street Artist “Blub” in Venice.  In 2019, the Florentine artist made a mark on the historic city with his small-scale “Paste-Up” works. This post relates his prefered method of working, his artistic intentions and presents a series of my own images of his wonderful artwork; taken over Xmas 2019 in Venice.

NEW. Graffiti and Street Art in Venice. A multifaceted phenomenon intertwining history, culture, artistic expression and social commentary. It has served as a unique form of expression and communication, making it an integral part of the city’s identity. This post also showcases a distinctive collection of my favourite modern Graffiti/Street Art images, highlighting both local Venetian and worldwide issues, photographed over the span of four decades. It’s a real visual treat! 

NEW.  Public Gardens and Green Spaces of Venice.  Escape the crowds, surround yourself with greenery and experience the city from a new perspective. While in Venice, take the time to discover these verdant havens, many of which to many tourists; remain hidden gems.

Wondering where to begin to get a comprehensive background about Venice?

Below, I have organized  a selection of my posts to provide a broad general introduction to this extraordinary city. Whether you’re planning a visit (particularly if you’re short on time), are a student, or just want to discover more about Venice, the series of posts below will serve as a foundation to significantly enhance your fundamental knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of this unique aquatic city.

The content headings of the first post are listed below to demonstrate their thoroughness, This is a big post, designed to give you a broad introduction to Venice.  “All about the city”, rolled into one and a great place to start becoming a “Venice Expert”! Click on the light blue links.

Introduction to Venice.

• Brief History
• The Veneto (“Venezia Euganea”)
• The Metropolitan City of Venice
• The Historic Island City (“Centro Storico”)
• Districts and Parishes
• House numbering system
• Origin of the Name.
• The Language of Venice
• The Climate of Venice
• Venetian Wells – The Source of Drinking Water
• Traditional food and drink of Venice and the Veneto
• Flooding and Subsidence, Pollution and Algal Growth.
• Acqua Alta and the MOSE Project.
• Architecture, Art and Music
• Places named after Venice
• World-wide Venetian style Campaniles
• Links Section to all my 200+ posts and for convenience, a selection of posts to get you started and on your way to be a Venice expert.

The Venetian Lagoon and its Ecosystem. The Venetian lagoon is the most important survivor of a system of estuarine lagoons, that in Roman times extended from Ravenna north to Trieste. During the 5th to 6th century, the lagoon gave security to people under Roman rule; fleeing Hun and Lombard invaders. One of my most viewed posts, it covers location, development, historical perspectives, the Metropolitan City of Venice, its islands and the lagoon ecosystem. One can only marvel and ask yourself “who would have imagined building one of the world’s greatest city, in the middle of a malaria infested swamp; on islands mostly less than one metre above sea-level”!

St Mark’s Square Guide   This unique all-in-one post, will give you everything you need to know about the most famous square in Venice. Included, are three recommended walks to explore; starting from St Mark’s Square. It will transform your appreciation and enjoyment of both the historic Piazza and the wider San Marco district; saving you valuable time; particularly if it your first visit and and your time (and budget) is limited. The districts of San Marco, together with the Dorsoduro nearby; contain a large proportion of the city’s main attractions, in the historic centre of Venice. I have also included price structures and links to my most relevant posts, which you can read for reference; whether researching for your trip, on the way there, or at quieter moments back in your accommodation.

San Marco – District and Main Attractions.    Dorsoduro – District and Main Attractions.  If it’s your first visit or on limited time, these two comprehensive posts will cover many of the main tourist attractions. The districts are close together and easily accessible on foot or by a short Vaporetto trip.

“Venice – Calendar of Events 2024”  With its plethora of festivals, exhibitions and public holidays, the historic city never ceases to amaze. Many are based on centuries old traditions, that still live on today.

Venice Museum Guide – Introduction.  This post features links to all my comprehensive  posts, on my list of “Top 25 recommended Museums”. Each post contains: descriptive information, their official websites to get the latest information about visiting and any current health regulations required for entry; together with links to all the featured museums. Also included, are links to my own relevant published posts, including the main attractions in each of Venice’s six districts. All the background information necessary; to widen the experience and enjoyment of your visit. Possibly the most comprehensive set of museum guides available.

Getting Around – Basic Terminology. This post is about helping you arrive and get around Venice and about getting to grips with some basic architectural, trade and artistic terminology; to enrich your experience of this wonderful city.

Venice Vaporetto Guide.  Everything you need to know in one big post, about the Vaporetto public transport system; together with all the options for buying tickets, including Venice tourist passes!

Santa Lucia Train Station. Everything you need to know about the history, development and use of this important terminal, in the historic centre of Venice; one of the city’s two railway stations. The other, “Venice Mestre”, is a mainline junction station in the Metropolitan City of Venice’s, mainland district of Mestre.

Piazzale Roma Bus Terminal.  There’s much more to the historic city’s bus terminal, linked to the mainland by the Ponte della Liberta; than you might first imagine. Within the square is the “Venice People Mover”: an overhead rail public transit system, operating since 2010 and connecting Piazzale Roma to the Marittima cruise ship port and Tronchetto island. The latter allows more extensive car parking facilities.

“Venice Vaporetto Guide”  Everything you need to know in one big post, about the Vaporetto public transport system; together with all the options for buying tickets, including Venice tourist passes!

Useful Apps for Venice.  For the technically minded, this post gives an overview of the most useful free apps, for your trip to Venice. They will help you get around and make the most of your stay: vaporetto routes and time-tables; museum, exhibition, gallery and church opening times and entrance fees. Useful discounts and which streets are flooded by the “acqua alta” and much more! Download and install the apps, before you set off to Venice and if possible, create a separate window on the phone; with your new collection of Venice related apps.

Cuisine of the Veneto. This post covers the traditional cuisine and drinks of the Veneto and its seven regions. In general, traditional Venetian food can be characterised by its authenticity and the use of the finest (yet sometimes humble) main ingredients; combined in simple recipes and without being strongly flavoured or hot. Specialities often reflect the Venetian Republic’s success, in the development of its mercantile and overland trade; into the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Silk Route into Asia and the Orient. Non-native spices and herbs, were used for flavouring food and as ingredients in medicinal and cosmetic preparations; that also became a significant part of its trade revenue.  Finally, from the end of the 18th century, some new specialities were introduced, following the French and Austrian occupation.

EnjoyRespectVenezia   This is the City of Venice’s awareness campaign, with the aim of creating a sustainable coexistence between tourists and residents. Be aware of significant penalties for prohibited behaviour.

Venice Visitor Taxes    This post describes both current and proposed taxes on both overnight and day-trip visitors to Venice. Be aware of new charges for day-trippers in 2025.

The Grand Canal of Venice.     Bridges of the Grand Canal.      Venetian Palace Architectural Styles: Byzantine – Venetian Gothic – Renaissance – Baroque – Neoclassical.  A boat trip along the Grand Canal, is one of the world’s greatest pleasures. These three posts, tell you “all you need to know” about this famous canal, its four bridges and historic palaces. The latter post shows you how to recognise and differentiate the various period styles.

Best High Views in Venice.  This post will take you on a journey through the best high viewpoints, in the historic centre of Venice – campaniles, roof-top bar/restaurants, a famous basilica and even the terrace of Venice’s latest luxury goods store! Each offers a unique perspective of the city. All the information and links that you need, to enhance your experience of this magical city.

Acqua Alta and the Mose Project.     The Great Venetian Flood of 1966.    Two of my most popular posts, giving everything you need to know about high flood tides and their control; together with the story of Venice’s worst flood in recent times.

The Language of Venice. The language is unique, despite modern worldwide cultural influences; as it remains original and is used by all classes of society.  It should not be considered a mere local dialect, since during the Republican era, it was used in official documents and in a considerable body of literature. Many directions signs in the historic centre, are shown in both Italian and Venetian.

Political Empire through Trade. Venice played a major role in reopening the Mediterranean economy to West European commerce and to the development of links with Northern Europe. It created institutions that formed the basis for commercial capitalism and made major progress in shipping technology. Also, it helped transfer Asian and Egyptian technology to the West, in the area of cane sugar production and processing, silk textiles, glassblowing and jewellery.

The Venice Carnival.    History of Venetian Masks.   Venice Carnival – Events 2020.      Although from 2020, these updated posts will give you a great idea of how the Carnival is structured and what to expect in 2025 and beyond. External links are provided to find the official website and other main tourist sites; to see all the latest information on dates and events.

History of Venetian Glass  “Vetro Veneziano”, has been made for over 1,500 years and since the 13th century, production has been concentrated on the island of Murano.  It has a long history of innovations in glass making, being Europe’s first major glass making centre; but is today renowned for its artistic creations.

Venetian Wells – Drinking Water.  As the population of Venetians in the Rialto area developed, there was one item lacking to ensure survival; a plentiful supply of fresh drinkable water. The lack of fresh water could normally be solved through the construction of typical draw-wells to access underground water sources.  Venice, however, was built on islands of low-level marshland in a salt water lagoon; the normal way of obtaining fresh water was impossible.

History of Travel Posters.  This post provides a brief history of Travel Posters and includes a representative selection of the best Venetian examples. Fun to look at and great to decorate your walls; at an economical price!

Photographing Venice – Developing a more personal vision.  Venice is probably the world’s most photographed city – so how do you say something different about the place or start to develop any sense of individuality and a more personal vision? This post will help you become more perceptive, open to different ideas and achieve greater photographic success.

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Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts