The Scoletta dell’Arte dei Tiraoro e Battioro, found next to the Chiesa di Sant’Eustachio, dates from 1711, and was the home of the Guild of Artists, as well as makers of gold thread and gold leaf.  Here, the 48 members of the Guild would train others in their craft.  The Scoletta functioned until 1798, at…

After a quick breakfast, we were out the door, to explore more of the wonderful city of Venice.  A plaque on the facade of a building reminds those passing by that Aldo Pio Manuzio, the Italian humanist, scholar, and educator, stayed there while he was living in the city.  It was in this city that…

Among the many busts and statues lining the paths of the Giardini della Biennale is the monument to Richard Wagner, by the artist Fritz Schaper.  The bust has an odd appearance, as the nose on Wagner’s face was recently knocked off by vandals. The Monumento ai Soldati di Terra e di Mare, or the Monument…

As we walked through the lovely, tree-lined Viale Giuseppe Garibaldi, we came upon a flower and plant sale. Next, we came upon a ceramic sale, all items made by local artisans. After crossing a bridge over the canal, we found that we were at the entrance to the Giardini della Biennale, a park area where…

The Ponte de la Tana takes its name from the fact that the bridge once led to the Tana, which was a hemp-making center.  All of the rope needed for the construction of the ships, made at the Arsenal, came from this area.  Today, it is a largely residential zone. A plaque marks the house…