I am in the courtyard of Palazzo Ducale.
Before my eyes a triumph of decorations and sculptures.
The buildings themselves that surround the courtyard are sculptures!
The desire to show all the wealth and power of Venice with a unique elegance and craftsmanship is evident.
As outside, the façades have the double motif of the porch on the lower floors and the wall with large windows in the upper part. The architecture, which combines the marble of the loggias with the bricks of the walls, manages to combine a language that is both simple and refined, a perfect expression of the spirit of the Republic.
I try to imagine how it must have been in 1500 when the election of the Doge was announced here, which was crowned with the Zoia, the typical ducal headdress.
I look up and see one of the domes of the Basilica of San Marco.
Two wells draw my attention ...
It is incredible the level of detail that is carved into these impressive wells.
I find out that it was created by Nicolò Dei Conti in 1556.
He was a master artillery fuser. They are made with the casting of bronze and are the only ones made of this material throughout Venice.
I want to see a perspective from above so I climb a large staircase that leads to the lodge.
From here I can see three of the five domes of the basilica and a little further below is the facade of the Clock, built within the architectural project of the architect Bartolomeo Manopola.
In the niches on the sides of the clock and below it are exposed some original Roman statues belonging to the Grimani collection and subsequently housed inside the Public Statuary of the Serenissima.
I look around because all the space around me is full of interesting things and I am afraid of not seeing everything, knowing that it is an impossible undertaking ...
I see on the wall a strange grotesque face carved in bas-relief, I approach...
Within this mouth, anonymous complaints of crimes or serious acts could be included.
Once the ticket was inserted, it ended up inside a wooden box on the other side of the wall near the office where the complaint was directed.
I hear talk of a staircase designed by architect Jacopo Sansovino which is decorated with 24 carat gold!
Here it is! I look up and...
... to be continued
I hope you are enjoying this adventure in Venice.
From today I want to use this tag:
The idea came from my friend Albert (co-creator of
), whom I thank and greet!
How about telling the community, the city in which you live?
Tell us about the interesting aspects, the initiatives, the people who live in your city.
You can use the #discoveringmycity tag and share your hometown / city discoveries.
I will share the best posts in my blog !!
Let me know your thoughts about this idea on the comments below.
Good day everyone!