A Travel Experience Full of Interesting Discoveries; The City of Canals: Venice

Developing technology and rapid urbanization are causing many cities to lose their spirit and character. I cannot find peace in cities without historical fabric. Cities lacking a sense of lived experience seem ordinary to me. That is why I plan my travels with this in mind. On my recent journey, choosing Venice was a very good decision. Venice is one of the rare world cities that still preserves its character and spirit. Venice is even a city beyond time itself. I define my Venice visit as "escaping to another world." Among the canals, positioned on centuries-old wooden pilings, colorful houses captivate at first sight. The city has lost nothing from its original state; it is a dreamlike city, beyond time. Let us begin discovering this dream city together. This enchanting pearl of the Adriatic Sea has an interesting story told by the people. The Doge of Venice would set out to sea in a galley every year on the anniversary of the Ascension of Jesus Christ and drop his ring into the waters of the Adriatic; this ring was a symbol of Venice and the sea. Thus he would confirm his marriage with the sea. This ceremony was called La Sensa; its meaning was "In the name of truth and eternity, we marry you, O sea." The Venetians are descendants of the Veneti, who founded the city of Padua in 1184 BCE. Venice was at that time a lagoon covered with reeds. The Venetians settled here after migrating from Anatolia following the Trojan War. They developed trade using the salt obtained from the lagoon, which turned into saltpans in summer. The city was invaded by the Goths in 402 CE. In the city burned and destroyed by the Goths, the Veneto people produced a solution to protect the region. They redirected the course of the river toward the lagoon. Thus the area around the city became covered with water. This plan succeeded. The Goths could not advance further into the resulting swampland. As a result of this defensive struggle by the Veneto people, the beautiful dream city of Venice was created. Is this not truly fascinating? This city of enchanting beauty was built on wooden pilings. The Veneto people managed to live within the waters. They transported logs they gathered from forests; they deepened the channels between mud enclosures to strengthen the ground. They drove pilings and sealed them with mud plaster. The enchanting life within the waters had begun.

Urbanization of Venice

Venice was founded during the Roman Empire period. After the empire fell, it came under Byzantine rule for a time. During this period the city achieved great development independently. In the Middle Ages and Early Modern periods it excelled in fishing and shipbuilding and acquired commercial power. Through this, both the state and the people became wealthy. Venice hosted many artists during the Renaissance period. Therefore, Venice contains numerous artworks from the Renaissance period. With this characteristic, it holds significant value in terms of tourism.

Being in Venice…

I would recommend beginning your discovery of Venice with a gondola ride between the canals. That is what we did. We came from Padua to Venice's Santa Lucia Station, boarded vaporettos from the station, and reached that unique beauty among the canals. Among the canals are colorful houses, bridges, warm, narrow and intimate streets, piazzas surrounded on all sides by art and history… Venice is truly a city beyond reality. You feel as though you are on a film set where a story from centuries past is being told. To experience this historical and artistic spirit further, we direct our course toward Saint Mark's Square.

Saint Mark's Campanile (Le Campane Di San Marco)

A golden angel stands at the summit of the 98.6-meter-tall tower with wings that turn in whichever direction the wind blows. The campanile collapsed on its own in 1902; no damage occurred. It was rebuilt in less than 10 years. Saint Mark's campanile contains five bells inside. "Maleficio" announced death sentences in the Piazzetta; "Marangona" at the Arsenal indicated the beginning and end of carpenters' work; "Mezzana" was the herald of noon; "Pregadi" notified Senators when meetings at the Ducal Palace were beginning; "Trottera" invited Venetian nobles on rides with their horses, so they would not be late for their meetings at the Palazzo Ducale. You can take an elevator up the campanile and enjoy the view of Venice.

Ponte Dei Pugni Bridge

In ancient times, two groups occupied Venice. The Castellani and Nicolotti. The Castellani lived in Castello in the city's east (workers at the Arsenal). The other group lived in the west of Venice, in the area where the Church of San Nicholas in Mendicoli was located. Since the 14th century, the two groups have battled each other during the period between September and Christmas in an armored combat called "Lotta dei Pugni." These confrontations took place especially on the Ponte dei Pugni bridge and could become violent.

Venetian Houses

As I mentioned before, houses in Venice were built on wooden pilings. Many of us wonder how wood can maintain its existence underwater for so many years. In fact, wood hardens rather than rots in water and becomes more solid. Penetrating through the sand at the sea bottom and driving deep into the mud strengthens the foundation. While on a gondola ride, close your eyes and imagine living in these colorful and charming houses.

Church Towers (Campanili)

Formerly, church towers served not only to indicate the time and call the faithful to prayer but also as lighthouses for ships at sea. For example, the campanile of St. Mark was covered with reflective paper, and apart from lanterns, the towers were also used to monitor fires. Fire guards called "guardie del fogo" were stationed on top of the towers. Because the ground foundations were not of very solid construction, many church towers stand at an angle. Venice in Brief • Known as the "City of Canals," "City of Waters," and "City of Masks." • Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, in the east of Italy. • 118 islands with 170 canals and 400 bridges. • Venice Carnival: Held every year. Lasts 40 days and is famous for its exquisite masks and pageantry. The Venice Carnival, celebrated since 1268, is actually rooted in pagan culture's welcoming of spring. The masks worn during the carnival have originated from true craftsmanship dating back to ancient times.

What to Eat?

• Pizza, pasta, and risotto trio • Cicchetti, appetizers on bread • Croissant • Delicious appetizers • Seafood • Venetian-style meatballs "Polpette" • Spaghetti in Nero di Seppia: Cuttlefish cooked in tomato sauce • Risi e Bisi • Tiramisu • Gelato Prepared by: Nükhet Sezer