Listening to a City's Whisper: Venice's Water Buses Are More Popular Than Gondolas

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, Li Xinyi; compiled and reported. Provided by MOOK Editorial Department

 

Under the glow of the Renaissance and its glorious history, nearly every Italian town is packed with tourists, but none more so than the romantic city of Venice. Canals wind through Venice, and the most popular mode of transport in the city is the water bus. Traditional gondolas (Gondole) may be the symbol of Venice, but they require haggling over price and have fixed sailing times. In contrast, water buses are more economical and travel along the Grand Canal, passing by the bustling architecture of Venice with palaces lining both banks of the canal — truly spectacular. June 2nd is Italy’s National Day, and during the upcoming celebration, take a water bus back to the Venice of its prime.

 

Stop 1: Fontego dei Turchi (Turkish Merchants' Warehouse)

Built in the 13th century, the Fontego dei Turchi was purchased by the Duke of Ferrara in 1381 to serve as a warehouse for Turkish merchants. As trade declined, the building gradually fell into disrepair before being restored by poet and art critic John Ruskin, bringing back its former glory. The second floor of this building now houses the Natural History Museum.

 

Stop 2: San Stae Church

This Baroque-style church is adorned with precious and rich marble carvings on the outside, while the interior displays early 18th-century Venetian paintings.

 

Stop 3: Ca’ Pesaro Palace

This magnificent 17th-century Baroque palace was designed by Longhena and took 58 years to complete, involving two architects. The interior now houses the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Oriental Art. The former exhibits works by 20th-century European painters, including Klimt, Chagall, and Kandinsky, while the latter displays paintings, sculptures, weapons, and calligraphy.

 

Stop 4: Galleria Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro (Golden Palace)

The famously named Golden Palace — was it really built with gold? Indeed, even though the gold leaf that once adorned its walls has been washed away by time, its exquisitely carved exterior is a classic example of Venetian Gothic architecture. When the Venetian nobleman Marino Contarini built this mansion in 1420, he used the most expensive paints available at the time and added gold foil to make the outer walls shine like gold. However, after years of modifications, renovations, and erosion by flooding, the Golden House has faded somewhat. It is now an art gallery, housing mainly 15th-century sculptures and paintings, among which Titian’s works are particularly lifelike.