My Venice Journal
My Day in Venice
Date: 15.01.26
Venice already feels unreal, there's so much history and things to see I feel like one day wasn't enough! Today was jammed packed with cool buildings like the Tolentini Church that stood out for how quiet during the day but a gathering space at night, while Carlo Scarpa's gate at the entrance to the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia was such a powerful moment being able to see his work in person Piazza San Marco was overwhelming in the opposite way, so grand and mesmerizing I really wish I could have gone inside the Basilica di San Marco and the Olivetti Exhibition Center, but just seeing them was awesome! My favorite stop was the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, especially seeing everyone sketching in the garden
Facts about Venice
Venice is built on millions of wooden piles driven into mud, topped with stone. The wood doesn't rot because it's submerged without oxygen.
Many buildings are designed to accept flooding, not fight it, with raised floors and water-tolerant materials
The city was a major maritime power, and its wealth came from trade routes, which explains the mix of Eastern and Western influences in its architecture.
Venetian glass became famous after glassmaking was moved to Murano to prevent fires and protect trade secrets
Carnival masks allowed people to hide social class and identity, giving freedom of movement and behavior
The Bridge of Sighs connected the Doge's Palace to the prison, and its name comes from the idea that prisoners sighed as they caught their last glimpse of Venice through the small stone windows before being imprisoned
When I Go Back
Basilica di San Marco tickets are 10 euros, with options to access upper levels and terraces.
Olivetti Exhibition Center reopens February 13 and features Carlo Scarpa's interior design
Doge's Palace is ticketed and connects directly to the Bridge of Sighs
Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a major modern art museum set within historic architecture
Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to see Tintoretto's full painting cycle and experience how art, architecture, and narrative work together in one space
Unfortunately the Giardini della Biennale will not be open until May 9 :( th
