A Quieter Venice - Part II

Continuing to seek out some of Venice's quieter locations, there are times when the islands of Burano and Torcello are not crowded, making it easier to appreciate their beauty and history. Here are a few images of colorful Burano.

 Colors that reflect in the canals.

This trattoria has a decaying sign with a metal sculpture of grapes. The grapes were so well formed they seem real.

Burano's streets of water flow out to the Venice lagoon and the sea.

Not far from Burano is the island of Torcello, one of the earliest Venetian settlements. One walks along the side of a canal to enter this small community.

There are many artifacts about town ranging from ancient to simply old, from the sacred to the just curious. This image of a holy person is one of many depictions attached to a brick wall.

Here is an old well, not unlike those found throughout Venice.

Does this unusual statue depict a mischievous person, a beggar, a saint or someone else?

A pair of shutters left ajar.

Not everything in Torcello is so worn by time. This view looks through the window of a shop filled with an interesting mix of old and new creations

Back to the center of Venice. Looking up, up from the crowds of tourists in and about Saint Marks's Square, one sees shadows of statues.

And a bit higher, the statues themselves.

They continue on, behind a lamppost.

And still looking up, under an entry to the Church of San Marco, one finds beautifully detailed tile work.

With so much art and architecture and history, it's no wonder so many travel to Venice. Yet daily life in Venice goes on as in the rest of the world. Here, the search for warmth on a mostly sunny winter day draws people from the cold canals and dark alleys to places of light.

Ciao.