Return to Venice photos

Venice (Venezia) lies at the head of the Adriatic Sea, 2.5 miles from the mainland by rail-and-road causeway, in the Laguna Veneta, a salt-water lagoon 34 miles long and up to 7.5 miles wide. There are over 30 major islands in the lagoon.

The island of Venice can be considered to comprise 118 small islands traversed by about 100 canals, although we tend to think of Venice as an island with canals for streets. All transportation must be by boat or by foot-there are no cars, buses, or taxis on land. Buses and taxis are all boats, and follow the same type of route system, etc. as land buses and taxis follow in other cities.

The major canal on Venice is the famous Grand Canal (shown). The central of the three major bridges on the island is the famous Rialto Bridge (not shown, sorry). Of course, the major landmark is St. Mark's Square and the Basilica of St. Mark (the patron saint). No less famous are the pigeons in the square! Other features are the Murano glass factory (with a display room just off the square and the factory on the island of Murano) and the famous Venetian lace, made on the island of Burano. The Lido is a beautiful resort island just 5 minutes away from Venice. Shown here is St. George Island, dominated by the church of the same name. Not shown is the island which is totally devoted to the cemetery for Venice!

There is much to see in Venice, but it isn't easy to take pictures from inside the bus boat when it's raining!