Tom and I unashamedly sprinted to arrive at Piazza San Marco ahead of their inhabitants. We bought our tickets to the Doge's Palace and spent two hours luxuriating in the opulence (and skulduggery) that was once Venice. The Palace Filled rapidly with eager learners and their tour guides. We wandered room to fabulous room with our audio guides explaining every inch of the rooms, because every inch is covered in art...Tintoretto , Bassano...on and on...the wallpaper of the centuries was done by artists renown...when the palace burned...there were new artists to rebuild, renovate, whatever. It is overwhelming. We saw much of this, dare I say, 40 years ago, and I now appreciate it.
An unexpected collection was near the end of the tour . These men were armed to the teeth and the weapons were not only vicious, they were, of course, beautifully decorated. I wished they would allow photos there were several rooms of them.
Happily we were blessed with a short line into San Marco itself. Many people stood in front of the no photo signs and snapped away, but I couldn't do it. There are not enough words to describe a beautifully preserved an 11th century basilica where every inch is old and beautiful. The bronze horses are THIRD century. There is no charge to enter the Church, but there is to see the Pala d'Oro and to climb to the Loggia to see the square from on high...and the horses.
We are gently sliding out of port...barely detectable motion.
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Location:Venice, Italy
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