Did You Know?

Did you know that Venice is home to the world's oldest operating casino? The Casino di Venezia, located in the Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi, opened in 1638 and continues to welcome visitors to try their luck at various games of chance in a historic setting.

Did you know that Venice has over 400 footbridges? These bridges play a crucial role in connecting different parts of the city, spanning the canals and allowing pedestrians to move around. The most famous and iconic bridge in Venice is the Rialto Bridge, which dates back to the late 16th century.

Did you know that Venice experiences an annual phenomenon called "Acqua Alta"? During certain times of the year, particularly in winter, high tides cause flooding in some parts of the city. Wooden walkways, known as "pontoon" bridges, are temporarily set up to allow pedestrians to navigate through the flooded areas.

Venice, Italy is built on more than 100 small islands and has over 400 bridges connecting them all together. The city has no roads, only canals and footpaths.

Did you know that Venice is known as the "Floating City" or "City of Water"? This nickname is due to the absence of roads and cars within the historic center of Venice. Instead, transportation is primarily conducted by boats and water taxis, making it a truly distinctive and charming city to explore.

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The Splendor Of Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari: A Venetian Masterpiece

After the better-known St. Mark’s Cathedral, Santa Maria Glorioso dei Frari is a significant minor basilica in the Venetian ecclesiastical landscape, one of the most important of the Franciscan order in all of Italy. Simply referred to as Frari, the Franciscan Gothic-style church was built over more than a century from 1236 to 1338 by the Franciscan Conventual Friars.

Situated in the centre of the San Paolo area of Venice, the church is dedicated to the assumption of Mary, hence its name. Like many churches in Venice and the rest of Italy, Frari became a safe depository for fine art treasures over the centuries, a place less apt to be attacked or looted than a house or other type of gallery. As such, it is resplendent with priceless works of art.

Visitors can tour the basilica except during the hours reserved for Sunday mass. Works of art to be viewed are, among many, Titian’s seminal pieces, “The Assumption” (1518) and “Virgin Mary from Cà Pesaro (1526). It also boasts several recital and church organs. It’s more than just a holy place to visit.