Day 45, Thursday October 19, 2017
We take the bus into Venice this morning instead of the train, which is a better choice. It is only a short walk to the bus from our apartment in Mestre instead of a 20 minute walk to the train station. Our walk to the Doge’s Palace was interesting. Some of the narrow canals have mirrors to avoid collisions. Check out our reflections.
It is a ‘misty’ morning again.
We stumbled across this art show and we were delighted to discover that several St. Albert artists I know have their work in this exhibit. 
There is also some interesting modern art on display in gallery windows.
One of the churches on our path to the palace had a show of musical instruments. Some were very old and there was also this ancient music book, hand written on vellum.
It wouldn’t be Venice without gondoliers on the canals.
I saw some marbled paper for sale, but it wasn’t anything exceptional. My marbled papered and the paper my friends make is at least as nice and take a look at these prices!
While we were having our lunch we saw this bride and groom hurrying by. It doesn’t look very romantic to me, and the bride had to hold her skirt up so it wouldn’t get dirty.
The Doge’s Palace was the official residence of Venice’s rulers and was founded in the 9th Century. This is the interior courtyard. It is a very impressive building but we were not prepared for the over the top magnificence of the interior. 
We start our tour by climbing the Golden Staircase, which is named for all the gold on its ceiling.
We walked from room to room, each more ornate than the one before.
The painting on the end wall is Paradise by Tintoretto and there are more than 500 figures represented. It is in the Sal del Maggior Consiglio, which is the largest room in Europe with a ceiling that is not supported by pillars.
Can you see me? This is a very big room!
There is a museum here with over 2,000 weapons. I have a bit of a hard time with these displays. I wonder how many innocent people were killed with these swords and other weapons?
This is a weird view of the courtyard through the very old hand blown glass in the windows.
We cross the bridge which connects the palace to the prison in the building beside it. There are two windows here where the prisoner’s would have their last views of the outside world. They were said to have sighed in despair and so the bridge was named the Bridge of Sighs. 
This was their view, and mine today.
The prison cells are dark, cold and cramped with small heavy barred doors. Most of the cells have no outside light at all. Some of the cells still have the prisoner’s graffiti on the walls. I can only imagine the despair they felt being locked up in such a place.
Back to the palace and our tour is almost over. Just a few more photos.
I like the whimsical lion over the doorway at the head of these stairs.
On our way back to the bus I can’t resist taking a more pictures the canals. I so hope the sun comes out at least for a day so I can get pictures with more light. The buildings are so old, with their patina of age, rust and peeling paint but somehow it just makes them even more appealing.
trudymason.com 
