tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69645751052408287652024-03-14T22:34:14.291+01:00A Garden in VeniceGarden art & lifestyleFurbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-83564521062129182502019-12-15T18:43:00.001+01:002021-08-08T23:39:15.635+02:00Corone d'Avvento - Floral Advent Design from VeniceSince the past ten years or so, the central and northern European tradition of making advent crowns in December has also embarked in Venice!<br />
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Near my home, <a href="https://www.ogvenice.com/florists.html#78OMFkibWjJhpY0D.97" target="_blank">Fioreria Baldan (Campiello de le Fraterne in Castello, included in the beautiful list of flower stores made by my friend Marjorie on her OG Venice Travel Guide)</a> sells these beauties, showing the authentic look and feel of the charming and quiet Advent time in Venice. These floral designs do take up the ancient spirit of the season of the Lagoon.<br />
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Using <b>local conifers</b> and those from the near-by Dolomiti mountains of the <b>Belluno are</b>a (that you can see below), we are lucky to create <b>corone d'Avvento = Advent wreaths</b> here in Venice.<br />
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Simple but heart-warming green decorations, which look so nice against the pastel background of salmon-colored cyclamen and white and purple elleboro (helleborus) arranged on moss to embellish the window banks.<br />
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We use the corone d'Avvento as wreaths on doors and as simple centerpieces on the table. They recall the simple Christmas spirit of times long past in the Lagoon, when people used to go foraging and fishing in the morning and collecting pine twigs and cones to use as Christmas decoration, as Lina, our grandmother tells me.<br />
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Simple beauties decorated with juniper twigs and berries, and walnuts colored with pale gold.<br />
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<br />Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-56622241054325772072019-12-10T11:53:00.003+01:002021-08-09T00:19:58.871+02:00Venice after the floods. Why the gardens are resilient<i>Dear readers</i>,<br />
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this is our first post in a long time, and while I'm writing, Venice is going through a particularly challenging time. During 12-17 November, we witnessed three serious floods. Outwardly, the city looks like she always does: Venice is recovering and at first glance, you would never guess that only three weeks ago, the water level reached 187 cm on Piazza San Marco.<br />
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In the background, we are working to get the city back to life. We finished cleansing and are now waiting for our homes to dry. Only then will we be able to determine what has been damaged and to what extent.<br />
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Not just the homes were hit by the floods ..<br />
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<b>As blog dedicated to the gardens of Venice, we have to mention them as well: They too were damaged badly, and for them, it will take so much longer to recover.</b></h3>
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It wasn't just the salt water rising above the ground, as it always does during acqua. This time, the gardens also suffered from the heavy storms bringing on the severe flooding, with waves that destroyed everything in their way, not just window panes.<br />
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Just like it is with the buildings, we need to wait for the gardens to dry up. Cleans them with water as much as possible, three or four times at least. It may well take until April-May next year to determine which plants have survived and which not.<br />
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So far, the gardens and their plants seem surprisingly resilient, like this oleander on Campo della Bragora. If you walk past it on a sunny morning in June, it smells like a mixture of lemon balm and heavy vanilla. Now, it "just" looks lush emerald green against the weak sunlight of December.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvGJuhyq_vU/YRBYc0m5ewI/AAAAAAACNQI/ZADx-3ud674eQ1CWB6fTrgnNslCwyFozgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CIMG1460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvGJuhyq_vU/YRBYc0m5ewI/AAAAAAACNQI/ZADx-3ud674eQ1CWB6fTrgnNslCwyFozgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/CIMG1460.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Nearby is a </span><b style="text-align: left;">silk tree</b><span style="text-align: left;"> (mimosa albizia), it is one of those cases which we cannot yet make out if it has survived. Plants in Venice over centuries have become accustomed to the halophile environment of the Lagoon, and those in the city are no exception. They are hardy and have seen many bouts of acqua alta, so there's hope.</span></div>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-92096690904850108302015-01-31T17:34:00.002+01:002021-07-12T00:36:36.428+02:00Blackbird Days: The Colors of Deep Winter in Venice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Le giornate della merla - blackbird days: First article in the series "Mermaid Colors in Venice". This year, I would like to introduce you to the unique Venetian color wheel, as I call the myriad of colors, giving examples of what they look like in the lagoon, and how artists make/made use of that source of creativity. <br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/le-giornate-della-merla-deep-winter.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-2290278559023796272015-01-24T23:06:00.002+01:002021-08-09T00:23:37.364+02:00Lavagna dei Desideri - A Wishlist for Venice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBmQm7GSCgY/YRBZAs2U1SI/AAAAAAACNQQ/f42sSs43yv4mlYyOGpQzF2kKMeU4yYWvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/44735403_2089880481033029_2619585211930771456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBmQm7GSCgY/YRBZAs2U1SI/AAAAAAACNQQ/f42sSs43yv4mlYyOGpQzF2kKMeU4yYWvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/44735403_2089880481033029_2619585211930771456_n.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">In this blog, in addition to presenting garde</span><span style="text-align: justify;">ns and news on gardening in Venice, we also cover topics that are dear and/or important to Venetians - regarding the history, traditions, nature, living and environmental issues of Venice and the Lagoon. After a rather difficult and thoughtful year 2014, quite a few issues have emerged that need solutions</span></div>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/la-lavagna-dei-desideri-how-venetians.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.comVenedig, Italien45.4408474 12.31551509999997145.0840994 11.67006809999997 45.797595400000006 12.960962099999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-89091511202859071352015-01-22T17:06:00.000+01:002015-03-05T16:20:45.521+01:00UN GIARDINO TORNA ALLA CITTÀ: SAVING A VENETIAN GARDEN JEWEL<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Giardinetti Reali seen from the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore</span></td></tr>
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A rather sizable garden, part of Piazza San Marco - easily within reach on a drawbridge spanning a narrow canal? The Giardinetti Reali were laid out in 1811 under French rule, after the wheat storage buildings of the Republic of Venice had been torn down. They hadn't been touched since then.<br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/un-giardino-torna-alla-citta-saving.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-46762966063338281262015-01-17T20:08:00.004+01:002021-07-12T00:37:58.257+02:00Yellow wisteria twigs in winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come se l'autunno fosse arrivato in gennaio - as if autumn had arrived in January in Venice. A few days ago, I took a walk around Teatro La Fenice, and in the enchanted garden opening up on Rio della Verona. This secret garden hosts an ancient wisteria blooming heavenly in spring.<br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/garden-glimpses-monthly-venezia-mese.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-33891148657263794422015-01-10T16:32:00.000+01:002015-03-05T16:30:00.386+01:00SCANNO DELLA PISOTTA: SHARING ANCIENT KNOW-HOW OF THE REPUBLIC OF VENICE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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It's not often that you get to see in Venice a picture like the one above - algae carpeting the low-lying steps that a hundred years ago, were the level from which people boarded boats ... Back then, the water line was lower, and today, these stairs are just exposed with low tide - <i>bassa marea.</i><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/scanno-della-pisotta-how-republic-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-18387017424433272562015-01-04T17:56:00.000+01:002015-03-05T16:31:53.848+01:00HOW THE NATIVITY SCENES IN VENICE REFLECT EVERYDAY LIFE IN TOWN<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nativity Scene at the church of Santa Maria del Giglio (Santa Maria Zobeningo). You can see how it is partly covered with a cloth, to be taken off only on Christmas Eve</span></td></tr>
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They tell about life, reality and dreams ... and take Venetians back to their roots ... that's the special meaning behind Nativity Scenes that you see in the Venetian homes and churches, practically everywhere ... even in pastry stores.<br>
</div></div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2015/01/how-nativity-scenes-reflect-life.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-45542468421811514532014-12-24T18:00:00.000+01:002015-03-05T16:33:46.346+01:00LA VIGILIA DI NATALE: CHRISTMAS EVE AT HOME IN VENICE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have chosen this picture of a Venetian window framed in with fir twigs above bcause it captures the essence of what Christmas can also look like in Venice: How families decorate homes and facades. <br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/12/christmas-card-from-venice-la-vigilia.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-40858820175081932232014-12-16T16:27:00.000+01:002015-03-05T16:36:18.523+01:00CHRISTMAS GARDENING IN VENICE<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Venice these days, "Christmas gardening" is part of our days. Our creations are in stark contrast to the late autumn landscape of gardens you can see in town these days. </span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/12/glamorous-christmas-gardening-venetian.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0Venedig, Italien45.4408474 12.31551509999997145.0841069 11.67006809999997 45.7975879 12.960962099999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-46201443073390262592014-11-18T21:00:00.002+01:002015-03-05T16:41:06.083+01:00GLOSSARIO DELLA FESTA DELLA SALUTE - A GLOSSARY TO CELEBRATING 21 NOVEMBER WITH THE VENETIANS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On 21 November 2014, Venice will be celebrating, for the 384th time, its Festa della Salute. This is probably the best loved celebration by Venetians, ushering in winter and Christmas time.</span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/11/glossario-della-festa-della-salute-10.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-87557047925675044772014-10-03T22:33:00.000+02:002015-03-05T16:44:01.663+01:00COMING HOME TO POVEGLIA, AND CREATE A GARDEN ON A DESERTED LAGOON ISLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Venetians have finally disembarked .. Foto by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/povegliapertutti/photos/pb.1481950272018873.-2207520000.1412357483./1544731222407444/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">Poveglia per tutti</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Una giornata di pulizia, di festa, di riappropriazione. E di poesia: A day of cleaning, celebrating, of re-appropriating ... and of poetry, which got even dedicated a site of its own: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsV_90ncQY" target="_blank">Poveglia per Tutti</a>. </span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/10/creating-garden-for-butterflies-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-75630385675028177012014-09-28T20:28:00.000+02:002015-03-05T16:45:54.057+01:00A VISIT TO THE OLDEST BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE WORLD<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardini_Papadopoli" target="_blank">Giardini Papadopoli</a> once was one of more tha 400 botanical gardens in town - there are still a few traces left .. it's one of the first green plots you encounter when you enter town.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there a place where all the knowledge on plants, collected by the Venetians since the 11th century, has been handed down to the successor generations of gardeners, researchers and plant lovers? For there is still a remarkable trace of the work done by Venetians .. a remarkable collection of research, pictures, books on plants which was started in the year 1222.</span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/09/the-oldest-botanical-garden-in-world.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-54876111625662058522014-06-01T23:32:00.001+02:002015-03-05T16:49:19.833+01:00LA FESTA DELLA SENSA: THE ANCIENT MEANING OF ASCENSION DAY IN VENICE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfiJKM_ww1Q04Fd6QAxOLzXKW4oRNiceuysjrV00wutwHnSsumJNqMxOWakfxFZmSkjDb9GlxkIS-aYMzRkgwMLowen8YtZXAeSXWRnO_JQsZGzFIPWjKVSF0yol6Iae1OSNMAaw42cyx/s1600/DSCN9866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfiJKM_ww1Q04Fd6QAxOLzXKW4oRNiceuysjrV00wutwHnSsumJNqMxOWakfxFZmSkjDb9GlxkIS-aYMzRkgwMLowen8YtZXAeSXWRnO_JQsZGzFIPWjKVSF0yol6Iae1OSNMAaw42cyx/s1600/DSCN9866.JPG" height="480" width="640"></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">May and June are the peak months in Venetian spring festivities, and feasts and celebrations to open spring and summer are plentiful, from <i>sagre,</i> to all kinds of religious and non-religious festivities. It's here that you can explore the Venetian soul first-hand.</span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/06/legendary-festa-della-sensa-behind.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-16273066004719279102014-05-25T00:27:00.004+02:002022-04-27T17:20:01.793+02:00Verdant Paradise: Where Venice looks like the Kew Gardens<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp85qY3Vmv0njNXHCv1lHvlWHzb8tfxTFzBkGyhQ2GiiYEXWKm-SQZrfTSKghQtF2uMJu0yp9ArNuYLmxXchuVdejk0PLIswFERNgcajVhONvfHyzpos31RJFzyfaUg2eNtBd7HkVk3ZA24q5bpk5_tVHEJX_-ApROmCaBJjkpWi7fmuy9uY7v5V2nDw/s4407/DSCN9533-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3305" data-original-width="4407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp85qY3Vmv0njNXHCv1lHvlWHzb8tfxTFzBkGyhQ2GiiYEXWKm-SQZrfTSKghQtF2uMJu0yp9ArNuYLmxXchuVdejk0PLIswFERNgcajVhONvfHyzpos31RJFzyfaUg2eNtBd7HkVk3ZA24q5bpk5_tVHEJX_-ApROmCaBJjkpWi7fmuy9uY7v5V2nDw/s16000/DSCN9533-2.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>Is this really Venice, you might think, looking at the brickstone pillars of the fence - to me, this is a place in Venice ressembling England.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/05/verdant-paradise-where-venice-looks.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-83437780060301040122014-05-06T23:43:00.000+02:002015-03-05T16:53:21.977+01:00EARLY MAY BLOSSOMS IN A VENETIAN PALACE GARDEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tales of Venetian wisteria, growing profusely in a jewel of a palace garden accessible for all of us .. Did you know that though Venetians travelers (merchants) were great collectors of plants, who knows, they might have brought home wisteria plants as well. </span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/05/early-may-blossoms-and-surprises-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-72177304908931832642014-04-22T23:17:00.000+02:002015-03-05T16:55:18.152+01:00WHY DO VENETIANS WANT TO SAVE POVEGLIA, THE ISLAND WITH NOTHING BUT A NAME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRfB0m5jPKk/U1PvE44e3rI/AAAAAAAARFU/Pw4XuGgVGRM/s1600/DSCN1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRfB0m5jPKk/U1PvE44e3rI/AAAAAAAARFU/Pw4XuGgVGRM/s1600/DSCN1015.JPG" height="480" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is the big picture behind Venetians joining forces to acquire lagoon island Poveglia: For centuries, a comprehensive network consisting of continuous exchanges between Venice and the islands, where each had precise functions to fulfill in the lagoon, had been in place. </span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/04/why-do-venetians-want-to-save-poveglia.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-19829888444488892542014-04-18T21:39:00.000+02:002015-03-05T16:57:46.999+01:00EASTER LEGENDS AND TALES FROM VENICE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Easter legends that involve the biggest and the second biggest square in Venice; Here you can read why there are so many pigeons (or as well call them: "pigioni" or "colombi") in Piazza San Marco, and how this fact is connected to Easter.</span><br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/04/la-leggenda-dei-colombi-easter-legends.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-71760918900218393992014-03-09T19:33:00.000+01:002015-03-05T17:02:10.273+01:00HOW TO PLANT A SPRING HERB GARDEN IN VENICE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Spring is breaking out in Venice ... After rainy times we are now happy that the weather has turned mild and sunny again. So you may have wondered how Venetians prepare their flower beds (<i>aiuole</i>), little vegetable plots <i>(orti </i>and <i>orticelli</i>, located in private courtyards and small garden plots), and window herb gardens. <br>
</div><a href="http://blog.gardeninvenice.com/2014/03/larte-verde-in-citta-how-to-plant.html#more">Read more »</a>Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-36639951775293400052014-03-03T23:47:00.001+01:002014-03-03T23:48:05.741+01:00How do Venetians perceive Carnival in their town<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Carnival morning, February 2014: Caffé Florian, Piazza San Marco</span></td></tr>
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<b>The Venetian Carnival has two faces, and is perceived in an ambivalent manner by inhabitants</b>: Flipping through the newspapers these last few days, you could have read that the weather was really bad, driving tourists and "masks" away with the constant threat of heavy rain and even hail pouring down on Saturday afternoon. Not more than 40 thousand visitors were expected to come into town this<i> domenica grassa </i>(Carnival Sunday), and there really were less costumed people around than there are usually. Still, according to the papers, there were 75,000 visitors arriving in town by 9:30 am, mostly disembarking at the train station and walking towards Piazza San Marco along the <i>direttissima</i> - Lista di Spagna and Strada Nova. This year, they were carrying umbrellas and wearing these typical masks covering eyes and nose, and traditional black-and-white fluffy Carnival hats. Wearing costumes would have been rather difficult with the lots of umbrellas and wet weather anyway, and recurring acqua alta bouts.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">THe Piazza this year is rather empty, with the threat of acqua alta and no mask in sight at 10 am.</span></td></tr>
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For those people participating in the exhibitions located at the Arsenal, the fact that during Carnival, the <i>passarelle</i> had been removed, was making return a bit more difficult when acqua alta was on the rise towards midnight. And the same was true for those people witnessing festivities in the Piazza.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Crowds a few nights ago at the Gran Teatro in Piazza San Marco</span></td></tr>
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<b>But let us not forget about the hosts of Carnival: How do Venetians perceive Carnival festivities in town? </b><br />
By now, the local papers title "<i><b>Il Carnevale contestato</b></i>" (Controversial Carnival), and"<b><i>Via il Carnevale dai campi</i></b>" (away with Carnival from our little squares in town). Papers also write that "<i><b>I Veneziani se ne vanno a Cortina per il Carnevale</b></i>" (Venetians leave for Cortina d'Ampezzo to escape Carnival).<br />
But there is news this year: One very high-quality feature has been added to the numerous Carnival events, by the <i><b>Venezia Rivelata project</b></i>, in addition to historic events coming alive at the Arsenale ...<br />
There is some truth in the fact that Carnival does not make daily life easier for residents, in particular on weekends and during afternoons and early evening. It is also true that some Venetians leave for the mountains to enjoy skiing and the snow, some really do so to escape the crowds.<br />
Still, some fundamental changes have been made in how Carnival events were organized in the last few years: When I was a child in the 1980s and 1990s, Carnival festivities involving crowds took place in Piazza San Marco, there was music, people passed by wearing masks and drinking hot chocolate in the coffee houses lining the Piazza. The little squares used to be a playground for Venetian children ... Last year I posted an installment describing what Carnival was like in the 1980s, <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/01/il-carnevale-late-winter-in-venice.html" target="_blank">please click here to read it</a>.<br />
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These days, Carnival is spreading out into the small squares in Venice, and the "<b><i>Notti in campo</i></b>"events program is taking over. That means that the crowds also come to the smaller <i>campi</i> (squares) that are farther away from the Piazza. This year, some events and festivities even took place at the Arsenal (<a href="http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/news.php?id=5291" target="_blank">click here</a> to read more about that program). One event even depicted the <a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battaglia_di_Lepanto" target="_blank">battle of Lepanto</a>, a historic battle that took place in 1571 between Christians (amongst them the Venetians) and Turks. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">La battaglia di Lepanto, Arsenale</span></td></tr>
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Other <i>campi</i> involved in the Carnival events are that of Santa Margherita, but also Campo Manin or Campo Sant'Angelo. This meant that the people living there had a hard time to sleep - with music and loud voices resounding until past 3 am. So when you would like to sleep it may be quite hard to love Carnival in Venice..<br />
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Still, there are advantages of Carnival too, beloved by Venetians of course ... if you think food-wise. Now is the time to taste special seasonal and Carnival biscuits, like the ones called <i>Arlecchini</i> offered now by <a href="http://www.marchinitime.it/" target="_blank">Pasticceria Marchini </a>(Campo San Luca) that you can see in the picture above. But also lots of other typical Carnival sweets, fried and hot and sweet, such as fritole, castagnole, galani, krafen ...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Few visitors in Campo San Zaccaria on a morning last week</span></td></tr>
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My absolute personal favorite event during Carnival 2014 was the evening hosted by <a href="http://www.veneziarivelata.it/streaming-21-feb-2014/" target="_blank">Venezia Rivelata </a>and story teller Alberto Toso Fei:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can watch the event in the official videoI attached below. It took place in the <a href="http://www.telecomfuturecentre.it/visita/volta.shtml" target="_blank">Monastery of San Salvador</a> near Rialto, including the well-known writer and story teller <a href="http://www.albertotosofei.it/" target="_blank">Alberto Toso Fei</a>, relating about how Carnival was celebrated in the times of the Venetian Republic</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Times, Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTELV5opwmA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you would like to take a look at Carnival festivities in the Piazza, where a <i>Teatro Grande</i> stage has been set up at one end, <a href="http://www.hotelconcordia.com/webcam-en/" target="_blank">click here for the very convenient Webcam:</a> (offered by Hotel Concordia):</span></div>
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Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-15576451200456802772014-02-08T22:04:00.001+01:002014-02-09T00:33:01.425+01:00Acqua alta and acqua granda - the four truths about high tides in Venice<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZKDWM06r2A/UvZijHuvEaI/AAAAAAAAQo0/zPbrN0TIavI/s1600/DSCN7806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZKDWM06r2A/UvZijHuvEaI/AAAAAAAAQo0/zPbrN0TIavI/s1600/DSCN7806.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A beautiful morning on Piazza San Marco in winter - or so it would seem ..10:35 am: from the midst of the Piazza, the water is expanding - so the lowest level is the midst of the Piazza (pictures taken by me in November 2013).</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The four truths about acqua alta, and how Caffé Quadri deals with acqua alta events: We have seen lately that <b>high water</b> is hitting town ever more often. Starting at Christmas and continuing well into the second half of January, we had a series of bad weather spells, some of which brought on the phenomenon of <i>acqua alta</i>. </span><br />
As usually, the "event" is covered extensively by the latest newspaper and magazine articles, on TV, in blog posts and videos - I even came across a "time lag video" showing how acqua alta conquered Piazza San Marco at night. There is even an i-phone apps available to guide you through Venice during acqua alta: the <a href="http://www.pugosoft.com/en/apps/venice-tides" target="_blank">Venice tides</a> app.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHbvyjv3VuA/UvZlKZbPCoI/AAAAAAAAQpA/AUE79EAVQmU/s1600/DSCN7807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHbvyjv3VuA/UvZlKZbPCoI/AAAAAAAAQpA/AUE79EAVQmU/s1600/DSCN7807.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:45 am: Water level is rising. </span></td></tr>
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Despite all this broad coverage of acqua alta, I find that the fundamental answers given to questions are not covered. Have we become too accustomed to acqua alta. The answer is - yes: By now, life goes on pretty much normal in town when the sirens announce that in the next 2 hours or so, we'll be in for acqua alta (if you would like to hear these sirens, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L3dVX4Xh5A" target="_blank">here)</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRlLTP4IHYk/UvZpm5cEECI/AAAAAAAAQpM/KVEVBJjSVDs/s1600/DSCN7810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRlLTP4IHYk/UvZpm5cEECI/AAAAAAAAQpM/KVEVBJjSVDs/s1600/DSCN7810.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:55 am: water is now fast rising</span></td></tr>
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<b>What is important to know is how amazingly unlevel Venice is - not all areas are hit at once by <i>acqua alta</i>.</b> You can see how slanted the Piazza's surface is, with the lowest point being in the center. Another example is Calle della Mandorla, where you can see the side alleys already covered with water, while you still walk along the "main" calle without shoes getting wet. This brings on a few questions, why do we have acqua alta in Venice in the first place, and since when? Has it gotten more serious over time? Is there even a positive side, or a need for "high tides"in the lagoon?<br />
I have tried to collect "photo evidence" on that, which you can read in the "four truths about acqua alta". You will find an example of a famous cafe included, and now can understand how Caffé Quadri is hit by each <i>acqua alta</i>, as it is located on the low-lying side of the Piazza.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yDwv0ZN0gg/UvZswQljlqI/AAAAAAAAQpk/7acakHp8Uos/s1600/DSCN4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yDwv0ZN0gg/UvZswQljlqI/AAAAAAAAQpk/7acakHp8Uos/s1600/DSCN4709.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:05 am: Piazza San Marco is unlevel: To the left is the Procuratie Vecchie area, and Caffé Quadri and Lavena are the first to go under water .. with huge damage done to the floors and walls (read more below).</span></td></tr>
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<b>The first truth is: acqua alta is not a bad surprise coming out of the blue, but it is "simply" an exceptionnally high tide. (though, that was not the case on 4 November 1966 ..).</b><br />
<i>Acqua alta</i> is a phenomenon of rising and receding tide. Like on all coasts, it has always existed in the lagoon, of course also before Venice was "built" on the mud-covered islands some 1700 years ago. In principle, there is no escaping <i>acqua alta</i>, and its purpose in an amphibious environment is breathing life into the lagoon. But a balance between high and low tides is essential.<br />
The lagoon is protected by two long and narrow islands from the open sea, Lido and Pellestrina, so there are three entrances into the lagoon which are called "<i>bocche di porto</i>".<br />
There have been occasions (the last time was during the terrible <a href="http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/2053" target="_blank"><i>acqua alta</i> in November 1966 </a>which brought the problem into the international limelight when newspapers titled "Venice is sinking"), when the wind swept the waters into the lagoon, across the Lido and Pellestrina islands, and the <i>Murazzi</i> stone barriers. No Mose dams could have helped on that occasion. That was when <i>acqua alta</i> was called <i>acqua granda</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnO8Lbkpg-w/UvaFnm6hRXI/AAAAAAAAQqw/9DoEV-nEfAU/s1600/marea+4+novembre+1966.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnO8Lbkpg-w/UvaFnm6hRXI/AAAAAAAAQqw/9DoEV-nEfAU/s1600/marea+4+novembre+1966.PNG" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Acqua granda: Tides peak twice during 24 hours. In the graph above you can see that instead of receding, the tide rose after 18:00 pm on 3 November 1966, and reached a peak at above 190 cm on 4 November.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp51RIl10DY/UvZvmNClgdI/AAAAAAAAQp8/2yaEZdc5zRI/s1600/DSCN4708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp51RIl10DY/UvZvmNClgdI/AAAAAAAAQp8/2yaEZdc5zRI/s1600/DSCN4708.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:10 am: By now I am standing on the higher level, as I try to avoid wearing those <i>sacchetti</i> (<i>stivali oppure calzari di plastica</i>) or however you can call these plastic shoes. Water is now communicating between the Piazza and Bacino Orseolo behind it - no way you can get there on foot. Caffé Quadri (left) is flooded.</span></td></tr>
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<b>The second truth is: acqua alta is present in an amphibious territory like our lagoon all the time - twice a day: The high tide is even essential for the survival of plants and animals living on and around the <i>barene</i> and <i>velme </i>(mud islands). </b><br />
There are many more islands in the lagoon than the "official" ones numbered 35, plus Venice itself, consisting of 120 islands. The other, "unofficial" ones, uninhabited of course, are called <i>barene</i> and <i>velme</i>, and twice a day during high tide, they are covered with water. Without their daily regular flooding, these plants would die - no sea lavender blossoms would shroud the lagoon in purple blossoms in summer. No sea lavender honey (<a href="http://www.prodottitipici.com/prodotto/6733/Miele-Di-Barena.htm" target="_blank">il miele d</a>i barena) would be available, as well as nutrients for many other animals, birds, insects and fish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8AENIHRxeU/UvZxrQGt3OI/AAAAAAAAQqI/_Pos9HTcwnI/s1600/DSCN4722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8AENIHRxeU/UvZxrQGt3OI/AAAAAAAAQqI/_Pos9HTcwnI/s1600/DSCN4722.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:20 am: enough water to reflect the Campanile .. :-((</span></td></tr>
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<b>The third truth is: During the times of the Venetian Republic, the water surface of the lagoon was expanded to make space for high tides.</b><br />
At the times of the Venetian Republic, the <i>Savi alle acque</i> surveilled on the state of the lagoon waters. They made sure there was enough space for the high water to spread out into the lagoon, to avoid damages to the city of Venice and the inhabited islands. To maintain this sensitive balance, they even transferred the mouths of rivers (Brenta, Piave) out of the lagoon.<br />
<b>The forth truth is: The water surface of the lagoon has been reduced ever since the beginning of the 20th century, from 550m² to approx. 400m². </b><br />
When the industrial area of Porto Marghera was built in 1917, not only the canals communicating with the seas were made larger and deeper, but also contaminated soil was deposited in the lagoon, leading to the existence of "artificial islands" that are called <i>casse di colmata</i>. (BTW: This part of the southern lagoon is being decontaminated, with first tangible results). So the area of the lagoon, which had been expanded during the times of the Venetian Republic, was considerably reduced.<br />
The water surface was further reduced when the bridges (railway and 2 motorway bridges) were built across the lagoon to connect Venice with the mainland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yB2KMmepxU/UvaOXFMWVYI/AAAAAAAAQrA/d8-EmnZ5_S0/s1600/DSCN7580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yB2KMmepxU/UvaOXFMWVYI/AAAAAAAAQrA/d8-EmnZ5_S0/s1600/DSCN7580.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Damage done by acqua alta: One night, when <a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_Quadri" target="_blank">Caffé Quadri</a> had just been restored from the onslaught of acqua alta, I was told that there were serious cracks on the floor covered with turquoise glass mosacis, created by Murano artists, which where there right from the opening of the caffé in 1775</span></td></tr>
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<b>So what can be done to prevent damaging acqua alta: </b>MOSE will help, but what really happens when the exchange of sea and fresh water is interrupted during high tide, for hours or maybe days on end, remains to be seen. When sea water is shut off for some hours, in the lagoon, both salinity levels fall and temperature may rise. There are some organisms that are responsible for the ecological balance in the lagoon that may be harmed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ollomIf962k/UvaTK0YKeNI/AAAAAAAAQrM/SvM7GM7Ad3s/s1600/DSCN7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ollomIf962k/UvaTK0YKeNI/AAAAAAAAQrM/SvM7GM7Ad3s/s1600/DSCN7581.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you see the high tables in the background, covered with a white tablecloth? This is where the valuable chairs are deposited when acqua alta strikes at Caffè Quadri..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X1qB1rFtSj4/UvZ27mvVnjI/AAAAAAAAQqg/sSzPLKIUUng/s1600/DSCN4710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X1qB1rFtSj4/UvZ27mvVnjI/AAAAAAAAQqg/sSzPLKIUUng/s1600/DSCN4710.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crossing the Piazza, wearing their "calzari di plastica"</span></td></tr>
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This is the third blog post of my series <b><a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/p/my-thoughtful-page-on-venice.html" target="_blank">Venezia 2020</a></b>. <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2012/11/another-acqua-alta-in-another-november.html" target="_blank">Click here to read the first article</a>, where I describe how my grandmother witnessed that ominous 4 November 1966 when the worst <i>acqua granda</i> ever damaged the foundations of Venice.<br />
The next two blog posts, published later this year in the "Venezia 2020" series, will be dedicated to two Venetians who collected unusual but practical evidence and useful views on <i>acqua alta</i>, back in the early 1990s: Marino Potenza (<i>Il mare era più lontano</i>) and by Giovanni and Giuseppe Tagliapietra (<i>Salvare Venezia per chi</i>)</div>
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Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-12051147590566542082014-01-25T22:18:00.000+01:002014-01-25T22:31:41.832+01:00The enchanted garden in the backyards of Teatro La Fenice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7YB3Vnl5SA/UuQOZ-T1ttI/AAAAAAAAQjU/fxl53cBnXZs/s1600/DSCN8765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7YB3Vnl5SA/UuQOZ-T1ttI/AAAAAAAAQjU/fxl53cBnXZs/s1600/DSCN8765.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">La </span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">vetrina</i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> di <a href="http://www.rizzovenezia.it/" target="_blank">Rizzo Pane</a> - it is not only a bakery with several outlets in town, but you also get all sorts of delicious foods and teas</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A few weeks ago at the beginning of January, I went to buy organical tea (tisane) at the Rizzo Pane store in Calle Botteghe, next to Campo Santo Stefano, and decided to take a <i>scorciatoia </i>(short way) back home. This means I was crossing a very special place - join me for a walk around <b>Teatro La Fenice, secret garden, ponte storto and winding canals included. G</b>ood to take this walk NOW, as by the beginning of Carnival (starting on 15 February 2014), the narrow passages <i>a fior d'acqua</i> around the theater will be very crowded. </span><br />
Here is an area where the names of the old artisans and professions (<i>mestieri</i>) resounds on the <i>nizioleti </i>(street signs), and where a hidden corner includes not only the theataer, an artists' zone, surrounding Il Teatro La Fenice. Here is the confluence of the two <i>rii della Fenice and della Verona, </i>very quiet, with the waters in the turquoise canal calm and not in the least ruffled.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nwYwNMyyXo62roaSa9lu42LDC-Ru0pNvNDURoMxt3ZJNlUTVcIQcmVm-IclnRuE-6j_Y1n9Gdcz76GyFSUae3n4V-8rWfHvguvallrhv5RnFIXiosCHeJ59TvQy-tjW4b6Xl2c4KDCkf/s1600/DSCN8729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nwYwNMyyXo62roaSa9lu42LDC-Ru0pNvNDURoMxt3ZJNlUTVcIQcmVm-IclnRuE-6j_Y1n9Gdcz76GyFSUae3n4V-8rWfHvguvallrhv5RnFIXiosCHeJ59TvQy-tjW4b6Xl2c4KDCkf/s1600/DSCN8729.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only church in Venice built above a canal: Chiesa di Santo Stefano</span></td></tr>
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This is a place where you can come to if you would like to experience <b>complete silence</b>. Of course, there may come steps and sometimes voices resound just round the corner, but they get fainter and fainter ... and you continue contemplating the still waters. </div>
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Did you know you can reach the theater also from Campo Santo Stefano? Crossing rio Santo Stefano, from where you can see the <b>canal passing straight below the church</b>, then walk past the Church of San Maurizio, and turn left, following the streets changing directions a few times, but always keep to the left.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next to the Church of San Maurizio, you find these half-covered archway ..</span></td></tr>
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Always on your left side, you can see some unusual views of the Church of Santo Stefano, on your way to the place we want to discover today.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wYIdCSBhdrY/UuQN7PfPzXI/AAAAAAAAQjE/wSucS_P4fc0/s1600/DSCN8771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wYIdCSBhdrY/UuQN7PfPzXI/AAAAAAAAQjE/wSucS_P4fc0/s1600/DSCN8771.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You pass by hibernating boats .. this is Rio Malatin</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijwT2oB-SKc/UuQN7KCO1mI/AAAAAAAAQjA/_kHCSkHKEes/s1600/DSCN8772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijwT2oB-SKc/UuQN7KCO1mI/AAAAAAAAQjA/_kHCSkHKEes/s1600/DSCN8772.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and enjoy some unusual views of the Campanile di Santo Stefano</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E64FKfv4Xg/UuQTjlwkfVI/AAAAAAAAQjc/dUsAq3NM9Os/s1600/DSCN8774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E64FKfv4Xg/UuQTjlwkfVI/AAAAAAAAQjc/dUsAq3NM9Os/s1600/DSCN8774.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a short time, you walk along Rio di San Maurizio</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ49Sw2Mab6j1NuE89zQG-Dbdq0JStjIFeWtZEcC9gMBnJgIiY5yZ_ct0qOxKwwkc2wXhLVMFx4IlcuVkI93WO050CtGkruYfr4lk23b1ic5JkIaZ2t26o_vIJ0913rvcbpd0HE2oB0kPf/s1600/DSCN8775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ49Sw2Mab6j1NuE89zQG-Dbdq0JStjIFeWtZEcC9gMBnJgIiY5yZ_ct0qOxKwwkc2wXhLVMFx4IlcuVkI93WO050CtGkruYfr4lk23b1ic5JkIaZ2t26o_vIJ0913rvcbpd0HE2oB0kPf/s1600/DSCN8775.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back towards Campiello Feltrina and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cucina-Da-Mario-Venezia/547916421907693" target="_blank">Trattoria da Mario</a>, just in front of us to the right (this is Fondamenta della Malvasia Vecchia)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now it takes us just a few more minutes to reach <b>Campiello Calegari</b> (<i>"calegheri"</i> means "shoe-makers"), from where you can see the confluence of the two <i>rii,</i> della Verona to the left, and della Fenice, to the right. Here we get a view of the facade turned to the water - the <i>porta d'acqua del teatro </i>(water main entrance). It is here that guests arriving by gondolas enter the theater.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBNx9mKjMaA/UuQVqxQ_ioI/AAAAAAAAQkA/Q0KO1nKvGDo/s1600/DSCN8780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBNx9mKjMaA/UuQVqxQ_ioI/AAAAAAAAQkA/Q0KO1nKvGDo/s1600/DSCN8780.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Campiello Calegheri and its <i>ponte storto </i>(connecting towards the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
From Campiello Calegheri, you walk up the bridge, which is the <b>ponte storto</b> ("contorted bridge", as you will see..) just for the view. Then you turn back and leave the Campiello, taking the narrow passageway to the left.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TOereWu4kg/UuQXY82gOWI/AAAAAAAAQkE/hpIL4awae68/s1600/DSCN8782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TOereWu4kg/UuQXY82gOWI/AAAAAAAAQkE/hpIL4awae68/s1600/DSCN8782.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The view from Ponte Storto towards the theater's entrance looking towards the water (<i>le porte d'acqua</i> were the main entrances), including a <i>ponte privato</i> (private bridge) leading to the theater.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIxcCrekzic/UuQZ4anNF3I/AAAAAAAAQkM/3eo9OmF1vx0/s1600/DSCN8786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIxcCrekzic/UuQZ4anNF3I/AAAAAAAAQkM/3eo9OmF1vx0/s1600/DSCN8786.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continue along Calle della Fenice ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9q8oKiAco/UuQZ5YiuLVI/AAAAAAAAQkU/ygXtCYXnE40/s1600/DSCN8787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9q8oKiAco/UuQZ5YiuLVI/AAAAAAAAQkU/ygXtCYXnE40/s1600/DSCN8787.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... crossing one more bridge ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ9KFKQ-TC4/UuQZ5VMJZLI/AAAAAAAAQkY/eHl3THtqKe4/s1600/DSCN8788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ9KFKQ-TC4/UuQZ5VMJZLI/AAAAAAAAQkY/eHl3THtqKe4/s1600/DSCN8788.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. from where you can see a <i>sotoportego</i> running all along the backside of the theater .. you can see there are still the winter flowers (cyclamen) firm in place on the balconies</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_6WPF2_G8E/UuQa6idu-9I/AAAAAAAAQkk/FWIuiyc-NE8/s1600/DSCN8792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_6WPF2_G8E/UuQa6idu-9I/AAAAAAAAQkk/FWIuiyc-NE8/s1600/DSCN8792.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Calle della Fenice ... built into the theater ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPArThXIeic/UuQa7cQvxQI/AAAAAAAAQks/wPzxteEyf3g/s1600/DSCN8793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPArThXIeic/UuQa7cQvxQI/AAAAAAAAQks/wPzxteEyf3g/s1600/DSCN8793.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View from the Sotoportego, running alongside Rio della Verona: here I am standing with my back to the theater</span></td></tr>
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And now in front of us, where the calle makes a turn away from the canal, a beautiful "secret" garden I want to present to you is located. It is some sort of ante-room to a private shop. It is open to all, so you can enter and take a look as well..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jf-_64EeeNM/UuQa73ysT7I/AAAAAAAAQkw/PGUilvc8D8I/s1600/DSCN8794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jf-_64EeeNM/UuQa73ysT7I/AAAAAAAAQkw/PGUilvc8D8I/s1600/DSCN8794.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A first glimpse of the "secret garden", located at the end of the <i>sotoportego</i> (archway)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The garden is half-hidden by ivy bushes, intermingled with huge emerald-colored leaves and wisteria twigs (with some of its leaves still on the branches), though wisteria leaves have turned yellow to light brown by now. The garden belongs to a small artist store, <a href="http://baileyzimmermansvenezia.blogspot.co.at/2012/03/artist-zacaria.html" target="_blank">Zacaria's</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-Rib3O5vFNDOhZAsMZNT86yN3LS-z1Tn1JY-V9gj_pmEYw4qB_ysv5wTQSRHaJkAr0uDFkVwA8gBfgTurOUmwGQN2W0mxK-8_xqrJM0zkbua3NbW4a8iTVM0gmwQBf_V4fhIqBCkdnnI/s1600/DSCN8795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-Rib3O5vFNDOhZAsMZNT86yN3LS-z1Tn1JY-V9gj_pmEYw4qB_ysv5wTQSRHaJkAr0uDFkVwA8gBfgTurOUmwGQN2W0mxK-8_xqrJM0zkbua3NbW4a8iTVM0gmwQBf_V4fhIqBCkdnnI/s1600/DSCN8795.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Glicine</i> (wisteria), oleander, palm trees, and lush ivy leaves</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VeUNSUpWXY/UuQdMq08PaI/AAAAAAAAQlA/SfYZPsOw12s/s1600/DSCN8796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VeUNSUpWXY/UuQdMq08PaI/AAAAAAAAQlA/SfYZPsOw12s/s1600/DSCN8796.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ivy leaves part to make people enter into the hidden garden ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPV04PEejw3Wy9madKx1kzoa3hmHXupoQ9oARGjeatt8yMaB3E4o-llSZSzbUhfimtpm2II9NC7HBk2BqHfODdbHdojEtfjgR3i6QNgefg6qtQHUlFzdq8G1bj6QIrNfVBF7c0Bpdpqv5/s1600/DSCN8797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPV04PEejw3Wy9madKx1kzoa3hmHXupoQ9oARGjeatt8yMaB3E4o-llSZSzbUhfimtpm2II9NC7HBk2BqHfODdbHdojEtfjgR3i6QNgefg6qtQHUlFzdq8G1bj6QIrNfVBF7c0Bpdpqv5/s1600/DSCN8797.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last leaves of <i>glicine </i>(wisteria) in January ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsaXvWRMByzYg5ZUguC_ax5Di6PGdshXEIAdcrilwbrYtTCgry5m5vVb49kHcziyNsKc3L5K9z_HyhuDaBhfOZqhqBx1MHs-yURZRLiDk1eEgnrC7xClit1fuS4sjOVdW6o5qz0eMbM8L/s1600/DSCN8800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsaXvWRMByzYg5ZUguC_ax5Di6PGdshXEIAdcrilwbrYtTCgry5m5vVb49kHcziyNsKc3L5K9z_HyhuDaBhfOZqhqBx1MHs-yURZRLiDk1eEgnrC7xClit1fuS4sjOVdW6o5qz0eMbM8L/s1600/DSCN8800.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Entrance to the enchanted garden</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFe7pdw3bno/UuQfeXw6sSI/AAAAAAAAQlc/J3eFCIuyc28/s1600/DSCN8801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFe7pdw3bno/UuQfeXw6sSI/AAAAAAAAQlc/J3eFCIuyc28/s1600/DSCN8801.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Evergreen leafy plants in the midst of winter ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEV3ptV_f1w/UuQfesFfsMI/AAAAAAAAQlg/43GsIE_KLDU/s1600/DSCN8802+-+Kopie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEV3ptV_f1w/UuQfesFfsMI/AAAAAAAAQlg/43GsIE_KLDU/s1600/DSCN8802+-+Kopie.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beyond the garden is the canal (Rio della Fenice). Take a look at the small formal garden, decorated with pot plants on several levels</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2swxfXKq8ns/UuQg_nMLT7I/AAAAAAAAQls/2M05aYhsbUA/s1600/DSCN8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2swxfXKq8ns/UuQg_nMLT7I/AAAAAAAAQls/2M05aYhsbUA/s1600/DSCN8805.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few steps farther, the entrance to <a href="http://www.fenicehotels.com/index.asp?lng=2" target="_blank">Hotel Fenice</a> is located, on Corte del Tagliapetra</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
And after a few steps, it all opens up to Campo San Fantin, with lots of possibilities to stop and contemplate, or try a good lunch or coffee.. here come a few suggestions.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uX5FNn0Brnw/UuQjAARmtzI/AAAAAAAAQl8/yO6Euc_SrII/s1600/DSCN8808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uX5FNn0Brnw/UuQjAARmtzI/AAAAAAAAQl8/yO6Euc_SrII/s1600/DSCN8808.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.ristorantelafenice.it/" target="_blank">Taverna La Fenice</a> welcoming guests in early January ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNcTO_sJGgQ/UuQjAU-O3PI/AAAAAAAAQl4/8SXpXS4ABGI/s1600/DSCN8809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNcTO_sJGgQ/UuQjAU-O3PI/AAAAAAAAQl4/8SXpXS4ABGI/s1600/DSCN8809.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Warm enough for a late morning cappuccino</span></td></tr>
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Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-74818952664102023792014-01-01T14:50:00.000+01:002014-01-01T14:50:20.823+01:00L'anno che verrà: Tra Glicine e Melograno: The Garden in Venice Blog in 2013 .. and 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Readers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Buon Anno da Venezia - Happy New Year 2014 from Venice!! </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My first picture of 2014 - showing a whitish environment, as the lagoon colors are turning somewhat ice-blue now in January...(just as I described in the <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/01/venezia-blu-ghiaccio-ice-blue-lagoon-in.html" target="_blank">blog post which attracted most viewers on this Blog</a>).</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPlxIITtJpI/UsLoq_fMp-I/AAAAAAAAQWc/IP2r_oHzgpk/s1600/DSCN7794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPlxIITtJpI/UsLoq_fMp-I/AAAAAAAAQWc/IP2r_oHzgpk/s1600/DSCN7794.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Riva degli Schiavoni, behind me are the Giardini Reali, in the picture you can see San Giorgio Maggiore Church and Convent island, and the Redentore church on the Giudecca island to the right</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: cyan;">My blog "A Garden in Venice" has been online since <b>18 May 2012</b>, and I would like to thank you all for viewing it and coming back to it so often. In the meantime, there are regular readers connecting on My Facebook Site <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Spezie-di-Venezia/261907110594770" target="_blank">"Le Spezie di Venezia"</a>, which is also dedicated to this Blog, and I made new friends via this Blog which as a Platform is so valuable in exchanging views of any kind on Venice. Is there a chance to save not only the lagoon and town itself, but also the immaterial treasures, the incredibly large and partly forgotten knowledge the Serenissima accumulated in more than 1000 years, in many walks of life, I am referring to the <b>immaterial heritage of the Serenissima</b>. Thank you all so very much, your support is so valuable for me and gives me the courage to continue in what started as a project in May 2012.. </span></i></div>
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I wondered what it would be like to tell and review the history of Venice in another, alternative way, seen through the garden lense... On the one hand, this Blog introduces to you the garden plots in Venice, from public to private gardens now in town, and what they looked like centuries ago. On the other hand, due to my background in Venetian history, communications and linguistics, I love adding history elements, and also explore t<i>he whole lagoon which is one garden, <u>la pianura liquida </u>(a liquid plain), 40 km long and 12 km wide</i>, viewed from a different angle, that is the "garden's lense" :-)).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Japh_SxFHAM/UsNAchjahVI/AAAAAAAAQW4/e6pqAW25GOw/s1600/CIMG5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Japh_SxFHAM/UsNAchjahVI/AAAAAAAAQW4/e6pqAW25GOw/s1600/CIMG5586.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ancient knowledge accumulated by the Republic of Venice is vast, it would be such a shame if we lost even the tiniest bit of it.</span></span></td></tr>
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What I felt was missing when I was a few months into my Blog was providing glimpses into private Venetian homes and of course kitchens. This is why I started the Blogs <a href="http://www.cucinaspeziata.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Le Spezie della Serenissima</a> (my culinary blog trying to bridge the gap between the Venetian spice trade history and how spices are still used today in Venetian cooking), and <a href="http://www.colazioneavenezia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Colazione a Venezia </a>(A Venetian familiy's breakfast accounts, recipes for Venetian cakes and pastries, favorite caffés, bakeries, tea houses and patissiers in Venice). </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><i>In the last 18 months or so, these are the ten articles mostly read by the 37,300-something clicks made on this page.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUmlw_x1mbs/UsM-vRQoonI/AAAAAAAAQWs/EXIiWgH8IBo/s1600/High+lights+of+the+Blog+2013.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUmlw_x1mbs/UsM-vRQoonI/AAAAAAAAQWs/EXIiWgH8IBo/s1600/High+lights+of+the+Blog+2013.PNG" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1375803281"></span>Venezia Blu Ghiaccio - Ice-Blue Lagoon in January, Inimitably lightening up the lagoon: La Festa del Redentor;<span id="goog_1375803282"></span></a> <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/07/you-know-it-is-summer-in-venice-when-22.html" target="_blank">You know it is summer in Venice when ...; </a><a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2012/09/venetian-hanging-gardens-above-campo.html" target="_blank">Venetian hanging gardens above Campo Santa Maria Formosa</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/02/le-altane-venetian-rooftop-terraces-in.html" target="_blank">Le Altane - Venetian rooftop terraces in the limelight</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2012/12/stella-di-natale-december-wears-red-in.html" target="_blank">Stella di Natale - Venice wears red in December</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2012/11/a-forest-of-white-candles-lightening-up.html" target="_blank">A Forest of White Candles is lightening up November: Festa della Salute</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2012/12/a-christmas-treat-venetian-coffee.html" target="_blank">A Christmas Treat: Venetian Coffee House Culture</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/08/the-most-colorful-spot-in-venice.html" target="_blank">The most colorful spot of Venice</a>; <a href="http://www.gardeninvenice.com/2013/02/the-purple-sea-lavender-fields-of-seven.html" target="_blank">The purple sea lavender fields of the Seven Seas</a>.</span></div>
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And this is what I am planning for the year ahead .. <b><span style="color: cyan;">Tra Glicine e Melograno .. Between Wisteria and Pomegranates ..</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: cyan;">If you have other subjects you are interested in, connected with Venetian culinary history, ecology, urban landscape, lagoon topics, food, life-style, gardening, flowers .. I would be happy to hear from you!!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: cyan;">xxx</span></i></div>
Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-87977174084863969462013-12-31T16:18:00.002+01:002013-12-31T16:34:37.752+01:00Venetian Christmas Roses for the New Year, but ..<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-to3Z02u9e8w/UsIBiumfTZI/AAAAAAAAQTg/Bn02KS4Fdcs/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-to3Z02u9e8w/UsIBiumfTZI/AAAAAAAAQTg/Bn02KS4Fdcs/s640/IMG_1395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New Years Eve: The Procurazie Nuove Arcades, with the Christmas <i>luminarie</i> (lights) still switched on, as they are every day now until 12 pm. In the far distance you can see the chairs and tables of Caffé Florian which are put there under the arcades all year long</span></td></tr>
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<i>... but then celebrating the New Year on 01 January is "relatively new" to us, as you will discover in this post. Nowadays, the color of New Year's Eve and Day in Venice is decidely WHITE: How is New Year's Eve celebrated all over Venice, not just on Piazza San Marco. We wish each other "Buon Anno" with white flowers, often with <a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_niger" target="_blank">La Rosa di Natale</a> .. </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">White New Year Presents: Christmas roses amongst white cyclamen that I saw the other day in a <i>fioreria </i>in Cannaregio</span></td></tr>
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<i>Even though many visitors arrive directly in the Piazza on Midnight, before that, New Year's Eve is celebrated with a good dinner "in famiglia" or "fuori" in one of the countless little restaurants, trattorie and osterie .. depends on what and how you prefer to eat. </i></div>
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<i>Below are some examples, like trattorie sparsely lit and very romantic, and the menu in elegant Caffè Florian right at the Piazza (ideal if you want to see the fireworks later), or on the opposite part of town, if you opt for a quiet night away from the crowds.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sparingly lit and romantic:</i> Hard to make out in the night picture - but this is Trattoria Sempione in the heart of the Mercerie, the shopping area connecting San Marco to Rialto</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. but it's getting lighter if you approach it ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMFrf_ZDIZMzyROhfIpfkpTqZJatejUQKtlyRBctFfxb8vG5yEVZG12wkgNB2Eu6jeNWgJGKdw60S2MoS5xe9uoQc8mL1m1icNXIWkXba1XF3ALo-QCQcNRdg8z8ZZHZLYvdsFgmX7iI_/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMFrf_ZDIZMzyROhfIpfkpTqZJatejUQKtlyRBctFfxb8vG5yEVZG12wkgNB2Eu6jeNWgJGKdw60S2MoS5xe9uoQc8mL1m1icNXIWkXba1XF3ALo-QCQcNRdg8z8ZZHZLYvdsFgmX7iI_/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nice reflections of the winter night lights in the Canal (this is Rio dei Bareteri, by the way, and the bridge you all pass to reach Rialto is thus called "Ponte dei Barateri).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trattoria Storica, next to Campo dei Gesuiti which opens up on Fondamenta Nove</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLwoE3AI4Mk/UsLaGNcYX2I/AAAAAAAAQWQ/Enpyc36HYYw/s1600/Menu+Capodanno+Florian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLwoE3AI4Mk/UsLaGNcYX2I/AAAAAAAAQWQ/Enpyc36HYYw/s1600/Menu+Capodanno+Florian.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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<i>But did you know that in Venice, the New Year has been celebrated on 01 January only since 1582, </i><i>when the Venetian Republic's calendar was "switched" to the Gregorian calendar.</i></div>
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<b>Actually, on 31 December 1581, in Piazza San Marco, nothing was celebrated</b> (with the exception of a usual nights where people went around in masks if they wished so, - in winter it was so normal to wear masks in Venice). During the earlier times of the Serenissima Republic, the New Year started on March 1st !! In contrast to the Gregorian Calendar (which was introduced in October 1582), <i>more veneto</i> (according to Venetian usuance), September was the <i>septimus mons</i> (seventh month), <i>Octo</i>ber the eight (<i>octo</i>), <i>Nove</i>mber the ninth (<i>nove</i>), and <i>Decem</i>ber the tenth month of the year (<i>decimus</i>). January and February were thus to be the last two months of the year. And March, the month of the Madonna and birth of cities (like Rome and also according to legend, Venice) was to be the first month of the year.</div>
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From the very beginning of the Venetian community in the year 421, legend has it that the Venetian year began on 25 March (the birthday of Venice!!). Only afterwards, the beginning of the Venetian year was anticipated to <b>01 March</b>... You can read more about that on the website of Veneto Uno, click here for the <a href="http://www.venetouno.it/notizia/34481/capodanno-veneto-2013-" target="_blank">link to their radio station and an interview on the subject.</a></div>
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This year, the Piazza will be filled with (white-and-black dressed) people enjoying the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Capodanno-Love-di-Venezia-Official-Page/176432907051?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">White Venice Night organized by Capodanno a Venezia</a>. The stage for the celebrations was set up already ten days ago and was used for gospel singing, but afterwards, by 7 pm, the Piazza went quiet again, leaving the few tourists to stroll around and marvel at the lights that this year are white and silvery - brightened by the odd fir garlands decorating the shop windows under the arcades, and the euphorbia plants on show in the shop windows and bar counters of the Gran Caffés.<br />
If you are not in Venice tonight and would like to see the celebrations on the Piazza and even some of the fireworks (it should work out ..), then <a href="http://www.hotelconcordia.com/webcam-en/" target="_blank">go to this link: it is the Webcam of the only hotel in town overlooking Piazza San Marco (Hotel Concordia)</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gsiOkOGPuSF20O3WJDJq3dxuZMRjN-yMnas1uTBwLk5a3JnNPDDn4FXv4TcqBYh5spctqDc3xqUrdkIODTF9lRX-6I19Se8y81A3pBAp9ON_za7Xd1dTdpDqvjGhOaOw3UAvO-OmbvfZ/s1600/Webcam+Hotel+Concordia+Venezia.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gsiOkOGPuSF20O3WJDJq3dxuZMRjN-yMnas1uTBwLk5a3JnNPDDn4FXv4TcqBYh5spctqDc3xqUrdkIODTF9lRX-6I19Se8y81A3pBAp9ON_za7Xd1dTdpDqvjGhOaOw3UAvO-OmbvfZ/s1600/Webcam+Hotel+Concordia+Venezia.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.hotelconcordia.com/webcam-en/" target="_blank">Click HERE for the Webcam link</a> (btw, this is a picture shown on the webcam this afternoon at 15:30)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Venice White Night 2014</span></td></tr>
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The webcam works well, and you can take a look tonight, or else take a look at the Piazza anytime day and night. You can see the top of the Christmas tree placed on Piazza dei Leoncini, too. At night, the lights under the arcades are on until 12 pm, so on this Camera you can have a look at the Christmas lights as well !!<br />
And here is a video for you to see the fireworks when 2013 was ushered in one year ago.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Buon Anno 2014 da Venezia !!!</span></b></span></div>
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Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964575105240828765.post-1040460249952987552013-12-24T22:24:00.001+01:002013-12-24T22:24:03.901+01:00Christmas Card from Venice: The Quietest Night of the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmE1aprlXQU/UrnVy1pgcUI/AAAAAAAAQCE/OO1kT1YTybY/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmE1aprlXQU/UrnVy1pgcUI/AAAAAAAAQCE/OO1kT1YTybY/s640/IMG_1152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seasons Greetings from Venice: Natale 2013</span></td></tr>
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<b>Tonight 24 December is the "quietest Night of the Year in Venice, but the last few days have seen some "Christmas atmosphere" in town:</b> The "liveliest" time for Christmas in Venice is actually the four days preceding Christmas eve: Lights became brighter, as more glittering decorations are put on show in time for Christmas (though not all lights went up as was planned in the <i>Mercerie</i> this year).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nC5SnU2DQlc/UrnI7zLQbVI/AAAAAAAAQAs/SaJYiIHfEqA/s1600/DSCN5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nC5SnU2DQlc/UrnI7zLQbVI/AAAAAAAAQAs/SaJYiIHfEqA/s640/DSCN5047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Festive colors, including a red carpet, is conveying the typical Christmas color of Venice: red ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os-DXBeAe1Q/UrnLcll_1fI/AAAAAAAAQBA/NIc0cpHTYkw/s1600/DSCN8836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os-DXBeAe1Q/UrnLcll_1fI/AAAAAAAAQBA/NIc0cpHTYkw/s640/DSCN8836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... but also the restaurants put out winter vegetable baskets, filled not only with local but also tropical fruits that we love to eat here for Christmas, adorned with fir twigs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NykFOfWiw3c/UrnGlA-RmTI/AAAAAAAAQAM/UmJ1NE6DROg/s1600/DSCN8622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NykFOfWiw3c/UrnGlA-RmTI/AAAAAAAAQAM/UmJ1NE6DROg/s640/DSCN8622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... but also with Stella di Natale</span></td></tr>
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Walking around town amidst the Christmas lights is still dreamy and if you passed through the streets at night, it was not really calm until late as many people, including Venetians, took their evening strolls on the past weekend.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-155Jie8VwLw/UrnwjCJn5KI/AAAAAAAAQDo/FUYvs6e2ooM/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-155Jie8VwLw/UrnwjCJn5KI/AAAAAAAAQDo/FUYvs6e2ooM/s640/IMG_1364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In Venice this year, <b>Christmas trees</b> have been adorned with silver candles: There is one at the Piazza (Piazzetta Leoncini) as there is all years, but have you noticed there is another one located on the terrace of Hotel Monaco e Grand Canal too, imagine what this is like when the lights are on at night .. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In6tVilYSHc/UrnVdUoSrQI/AAAAAAAAQB4/RfbRxdkv9n8/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In6tVilYSHc/UrnVdUoSrQI/AAAAAAAAQB4/RfbRxdkv9n8/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas tree, Terraces of Hotel Monaco e Grand Canal</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPA2tfbwW5k/UrnV-574eJI/AAAAAAAAQCI/-3EL1u4WJTg/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPA2tfbwW5k/UrnV-574eJI/AAAAAAAAQCI/-3EL1u4WJTg/s640/IMG_1168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Christmas tree next to Basilica di San Marco, and an everpresent Stella di Natale plant</span></td></tr>
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All around town, streets are adorned with <b>Stella di Natale (euphorbia) plants</b>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R84bJ1aoCzA/UrnWNoCqFyI/AAAAAAAAQCQ/WAJ5JT41n28/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R84bJ1aoCzA/UrnWNoCqFyI/AAAAAAAAQCQ/WAJ5JT41n28/s640/IMG_1171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Restaurant tables are decorated with Stella di Natale and fruit baskets</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In some parts (not everyhwhere, though), Venice is illuminated with Christmas lights, so you walk past red and golden Christmas decorations, flowers and brightly adorned Christmas trees, and under the silvery and blue Christmas lights in the Rialto area. Everwhere you find the Stella di Natale (euphorbia plants) motive here in Venice these days .. even at the stands of the Pescheria (Rialto Fish Market).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--w7RXvi7WII/UrnPMRDvLSI/AAAAAAAAQBY/P2Oe6MQ53A8/s1600/DSCN5069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--w7RXvi7WII/UrnPMRDvLSI/AAAAAAAAQBY/P2Oe6MQ53A8/s640/DSCN5069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas decoration, Pescheria Rialto, with Stelle di Natale !!</span></td></tr>
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A few groups of tourists came to enjoy the pre-Christmas events organized in the days before Christmas day. A <b>Christmas market</b> was there for those who hunting for good occasions, with <i>bancarelle </i>filling both Campo San Bartolomeo and the parts of Strada Nova beginning on Campo Santi Apostoli, reaching down past San Felice and Santa Fosca towards Rio Terá San Leonardo. </div>
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The <b>Regata dei Babbi Natale</b> took place last Saturday on the Grand Canal, and there was also an <b>antiquities fair</b> on Campo San Maurizio.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_XlZVNH2lI/UrnRmnhrJhI/AAAAAAAAQBk/EzTPD0deuws/s1600/DSCN5098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_XlZVNH2lI/UrnRmnhrJhI/AAAAAAAAQBk/EzTPD0deuws/s640/DSCN5098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/2013/video/venezia-la-regata-dei-babbi-natale_2008188.shtml" target="_blank">Regata dei Babbi Natale</a>, on Saturday morning, 21 December: I saw them when I bought groceries at the Rialto Market</span></td></tr>
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The vendors of the Christmas market stalls usually come into Venice from the other parts of the Veneto, like Treviso and Padua, but also as far as from Catania, Perugia and Rimini. Here is where you get sweet street food and torroni and nuts of all kinds, including orange and pistacchio flavored almond cookies, but also fritole calde, as well as flowers for Christmas.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi9r4-ZL7-U/UrnWbTsIbRI/AAAAAAAAQCc/Q889aeL_Tkg/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi9r4-ZL7-U/UrnWbTsIbRI/AAAAAAAAQCc/Q889aeL_Tkg/s640/IMG_1210.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas street food, including fritole, nuts and almond cookies, at Campo San Bartolomeo</span></td></tr>
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Of course at Christmas time there is also "liquid street food" such as <b>cioccolata calda and vin brûlè</b> on sale in the streets, (you will find more on that in my other Blog <a href="http://www.cucinaspeziata.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"Le Spezie della Serenissima"</a>), and lots of Christmas sweets all around the panifici (bakeries) and pasticcerie / cafes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6T16JJSFvw/UrnWrxQDSnI/AAAAAAAAQCk/IKZNUStp1e8/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6T16JJSFvw/UrnWrxQDSnI/AAAAAAAAQCk/IKZNUStp1e8/s640/IMG_1261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Outside bar table in Calle della Madonnetta, near Campo San Polo</span></td></tr>
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A few steps farther, on Campo San Polo, a <b>skating rink</b> has been installed, and you can enjoy skating until the first days of March !!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAEhg2toDB8/UrnW7W08xSI/AAAAAAAAQCs/J5MjrFhcKso/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAEhg2toDB8/UrnW7W08xSI/AAAAAAAAQCs/J5MjrFhcKso/s640/IMG_1275.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Skating rink, Campo San Polo</span></td></tr>
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Even <b>Rialto</b> was adorned to convey a festive mood, so with the drizzly and humid weather of the past few days (unfortunately, there is more to come ..) it was quite a lift-up to take in the colors of the market.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nC5SnU2DQlc/UrnI7zLQbVI/AAAAAAAAQAw/k9e9P1X9H3U/s1600/DSCN5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nC5SnU2DQlc/UrnI7zLQbVI/AAAAAAAAQAw/k9e9P1X9H3U/s640/DSCN5047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red colors, Rialto</span></td></tr>
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Around this year is a greater number of <b>Christmas trees in town</b>, and of course there is one in the Piazza, as usually between the two stone lions on Piazza dei Leoncini next to the Patriarch's Palace (<i>leoncino</i> translates as "small lion").</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fdrtzt1wk4c/UrnD1z7hbrI/AAAAAAAAP_0/xkCGpqqDwnY/s1600/DSCN5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fdrtzt1wk4c/UrnD1z7hbrI/AAAAAAAAP_0/xkCGpqqDwnY/s640/DSCN5284.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas tree, Piazza dei Leoncini, next to Basilica di San Marco</span></td></tr>
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In the last few days, there were gospel singers on the Piazza, singing for passers-by in the late afternoon until about 7 pm. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2ThLnO86Eg/UrnXklsxrnI/AAAAAAAAQDE/j4cLo42DmYY/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2ThLnO86Eg/UrnXklsxrnI/AAAAAAAAQDE/j4cLo42DmYY/s640/IMG_1399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A colorful stage was put up in Piazza San Marco, ushering in "White Christmas" in Venice (including icicles): Changing light effects underline the festive atmosphere of the Piazza</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWLNkeEpVHE/UrnFi97UFsI/AAAAAAAAQAA/syknQymfMdk/s1600/DSCN8585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWLNkeEpVHE/UrnFi97UFsI/AAAAAAAAQAA/syknQymfMdk/s640/DSCN8585.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People sitting on the Piazza, listening to the gospel singers in Piazza San Marco</span></td></tr>
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But the darkest and most quiet day of the year in Venice is .. 24 December. In the early evening, it seems that the town shuts itself in, and Christmas is celebrated in a very private manner, behind closed windows and doors ... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb51wgyKgIXj_yIm2N6Pjl62TlZDWr9PLxtJaqJ6gsCFENkH_uCxiibfzc2o9s4VthvHb6hZE2mHNe2PwO0S-khfP2xiLU3UXqToI9qxaFQFlB9No9e-kNyKGzYekT7EGT97nmYN1fh0c/s1600/DSCN8611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb51wgyKgIXj_yIm2N6Pjl62TlZDWr9PLxtJaqJ6gsCFENkH_uCxiibfzc2o9s4VthvHb6hZE2mHNe2PwO0S-khfP2xiLU3UXqToI9qxaFQFlB9No9e-kNyKGzYekT7EGT97nmYN1fh0c/s640/DSCN8611.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When dusk sets in, the lights on the Christmas tree next to the Basilica di San Marco are lit</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdRHBYfMaLQ/UrnXj2IPBHI/AAAAAAAAQC8/Bdhq4Gd48qE/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdRHBYfMaLQ/UrnXj2IPBHI/AAAAAAAAQC8/Bdhq4Gd48qE/s640/IMG_1400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luci e ombre - Lights and darkness on 24 December 2013</span></td></tr>
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Many stores keep shut, and also many restaurants, though you will find quite a number of good restaurants open to try a typical Christmas dinner, there are some variants here in the Veneto, and turkey actually plays a role here too.. (to be continued).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWqRsL46Jqy4tFIGv9JE_PsHa-SIoqOeolvGc7d6GnOyWCcCbFE4gfjAS1-58Lfl12ame5imwJytNJU04ruTCTkknw4Dpy5Y6Zl7X6DUalUNlCGqgDQUIlYlyIErvvqCvULQ3vHFKwNMT/s1600/DSCN8836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWqRsL46Jqy4tFIGv9JE_PsHa-SIoqOeolvGc7d6GnOyWCcCbFE4gfjAS1-58Lfl12ame5imwJytNJU04ruTCTkknw4Dpy5Y6Zl7X6DUalUNlCGqgDQUIlYlyIErvvqCvULQ3vHFKwNMT/s640/DSCN8836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter vegetables presented in a festive manner in front of a restaurant near Campo San Luca</span></td></tr>
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But by now, all has become quiet, and if you are out in the streets of Venice right now, you can savor the atmosphere of the darkest, most quiet and most peaceful Night of the Year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvMlTMxPXcw/Urn3kQvbPZI/AAAAAAAAQEA/NNFMAcQOYoQ/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvMlTMxPXcw/Urn3kQvbPZI/AAAAAAAAQEA/NNFMAcQOYoQ/s640/IMG_1457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dark and still: Christmas night, view towards the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of the Sighs)</span></td></tr>
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<b>With our best wishes for a peaceful and quiet Christmas, health and happiness to all readers, from Venice !!</b></div>
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Furbiziahshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816450569727953283noreply@blogger.com0