descriptive essay about venice

• Craft and Criticism
• Fiction and Poetry
• News and Culture
• Lit Hub Radio
• Reading Lists

• Literary Criticism
• Craft and Advice
• In Conversation
• On Translation
• Short Story
• From the Novel
• Bookstores and Libraries
• Film and TV
• Art and Photography
• Freeman’s
• The Virtual Book Channel
• Behind the Mic
• Beyond the Page
• The Cosmic Library
• The Critic and Her Publics
• Emergence Magazine
• Fiction/Non/Fiction
• First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
• The History of Literature
• I’m a Writer But
• Lit Century
• Tor Presents: Voyage Into Genre
• Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast
• Write-minded
• The Best of the Decade
• Best Reviewed Books
• BookMarks Daily Giveaway
• The Daily Thrill
• CrimeReads Daily Giveaway

On the Enchanting, Hopelessly Beautiful Splendor and History of Venice

Orsola casagrande, editor of the book of venice , recommends writing about the iconic city.

American writer Truman Capote visited Venice in 1948 and said that the city was “hopelessly beautiful” and “the most enchanted thing on earth.” Throughout history, Venice has almost exclusively been described through these kinds of superlatives, and with good reason. Her unique qualities are often characterized as static and immobile; yet, Venice has constantly evolved throughout history and is still changing. The coronavirus pandemic has suddenly emptied the streets and squares, restoring a balance that many residents felt had been lost and giving those living in the city time to think about what future they want for it.

The Stones of Venice , the three-volume treatise by English art historian John Ruskin, certainly allows a full immersion into the city’s art and architecture, also offering a glimpse at the city’s society, culture, and ideas. But it is in fiction, perhaps, where the city is reflected and explored at her best. Venice provides the best setting for often-clichéd love stories, of course——hopeless romances, sad abandonments and rejections, fairy tale loves—but also for detective tales, horror stories, and other kinds of narratives.

The short stories in The Book of Venice offer a different view of the city, accompanying the reader into another kind of Venice, the everyday city as seen and lived by its citizens—people that deal daily with the extraordinary problems of a unique place. In order to understand this version of Venice, some classics provide essential background, but there are also some lesser-known novels that open new routes to explore this city.

Thomas Mann, Death in Venice

Thomas Mann immortalized Lido and the Hotel Des Bains in his novella Death in Venice (1912). The city is the perfect stage for the impossible and intense passion of writer Gustav von Aschenbach for the ephebic Tadzio. I first encountered it in secondary school in a reading group with some friends; Death in Venice sparked heated debates among us about the meaning of love, beauty, and art.

Ernest Hemingway, Across the Rivers and into the Trees

Ernest Hemingway often visited Venice, and the city features in one of his lesser-known novels Across the Rivers and into the Trees , first published in 1950. I discovered and read this book while living in Havana, Cuba; Hemingway’s former house there, now a beautiful museum, was one of my favourite places to go when I needed a space of my own. One Sunday morning I went to the museum with my friend, Cuban intellectual Félix Julio Alfonso López, who told me about Across the Rivers and into the Trees . In this book, the city is the setting for Hemingway as he explores some of his classic themes: a soldier’s recovery from war and the function of love in the bloody 20th century.

Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities

Cuban-born Italian writer Italo Calvino in Invisible Cities used Marco Polo to express what many (especially Venetians) think of the city. Marco Polo explains to emperor Kublai Khan why he never mentions his hometown directly: “Every time I describe a city I am saying something about Venice.” Invisible Cities is the perfect guide to take with you in the new post-pandemic tourist era awaiting us, a book to help us reflect on which kind of cities we want and which kind of tourism.

Enrico Palandri, Venice Regained

Venice-born writer Enrico Palandri, who also features in The Book of Venice , has had four novels published in English. Venice Regained (Troubadour, 2012) tells the story of Julian and Martha, the children of a broken marriage whose father is a famous, but obnoxiously self-centred, opera singer. As the story develops in Venice, the city’s magic ability to invite whoever walks through her streets to reflect on their life, past and future also inspires an examination of Italy’s recent turbulent political past.

This book also tackles one of Palandri’s main themes, identity. As he said: “The concept of national identity, which we see crumbling today, consisted in the identification of three fundamental elements: territorial identity, identity between territory and language and identity between territory, language and culture. But in fact these three elements never go together, because language changes, culture changes.”

Donna Leon, By its Cover

A good way to get lost in Venice streets and campos is to read Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series. Commissario Brunetti has accompanied readers inside Venice since 1992; as a Venetian, I have to say that reading this mystery series has inspired me, more than once, to both rediscover old places that I had not visited in years and find out that other old buildings have now been converted into one of the many hotels in the city. By its Cover sees Brunetti trying to solve the mystery of some rare books’ stolen pages.

This year, Leon published Transient Desires , the 30th Brunetti book. A book inevitably marked by the Covid pandemic which, the writer said, she has decided to treat “as a kind of folk memory and show how the memory lingers in thought, habit, behavior, but not write about the way the billions from Europe will be handled. Covid is better presented, in this time of uncertainty, as an ambiance, not a subject.”

Patricia Highsmith, Those Who Walk Away

A psychological thriller by Patricia Highsmith, Those Who Walk Away  is set in a silent and ghostly winter city. Venice completely changes in winter—her colors, fog, and, if you are lucky, snow makes it a different place altogether from the sunny and bright summer city.

Cornelia Funke, The Thief Lord

I always liked reading fiction for children and young adults; I’ve been an avid reader since I was small, and now, I like finding books to offer to my son and read what he finds interesting. I discovered Cornelia Funke, and in particular The Thief Lord , when we were living in Venice and he was attending primary school. Two orphaned children are on the run, hiding among the crumbling canals and misty alleyways of the city of Venice. Befriended by a gang of street children and their mysterious leader, the Thief Lord, they shelter in an old, disused cinema.

Hugo Pratt, Corto Maltese

This is a series of comics and a brilliant read. Corto Maltese is a modern Ulysses, a romantic sailor who says of himself: “I’m not a hero. I like to travel and I don’t care for rules, but I respect just one: I never betray my friends. I’ve searched for so many treasures and I’ve never found a single one, but I’ll keep looking, you can count on that; just a little bit further on… ”Corto Maltese was created in 1967 by Hugo Pratt, who was born in Venice and who sent his character twice to the city. In his second visit to the city, Corto finds himself implicated in a mystery thriller involving Freemasons, occultists, and esotericists during the rise of Fascism in 1921.

__________________________________

The Book of Venice is available from Comma Press. Edited by Orsola Casagrande.

• Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Orsola Casagrande

Previous article, next article, support lit hub..

Join our community of readers.

to the Lithub Daily

Popular posts.

Remembering Katherine Mansfield, the Only Writer Virginia Woolf (Allegedly) Ever Envied

• RSS - Posts

Literary Hub

Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature

Sign Up For Our Newsletters

How to Pitch Lit Hub

Advertisers: Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Support Lit Hub - Become A Member

Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books Matter

For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

Become a member for as low as $5/month

The Purposely Lost

• Get In Touch
• FREE Travel Planner
• Shop My Favorites

Find Lyndsay's Favorites

History Travel + Local Experiences

March 17, 2022 By Lyndsay

25 Uniquely Interesting Facts About Venice, Italy

• 1.1 The History of the Most Serene Republic of Venice
• 1.2 Venice has 178 canals 
• 1.3 Venice has 438 bridges
• 1.4 Venice has 124 islands
• 1.5 There’s a petrified forest underneath your feet
• 1.6 Venice’s iconic Carnevale celebrations were almost lost to history
• 1.7 Masks make for more than a pretty face
• 1.8 The Ballo del Doge is the city’s famous masquerade ball during Carnevale
• 1.9 Gondolas were the chosen method of transportation in the Republic of Venice
• 1.10 The Basilica di San Marco is adorned with stolen decorations
• 1.11 See the stolen Basilica di San Marco horses
• 1.12 The Campanile di San Marco is one of the newest landmarks in Venice
• 1.13 Doge’s Palace was the center of the Republic’s political life 
• 1.14 San Marco is Venice’s second patron saint
• 1.15 Venice floods every year, and the city is slowly sinking
• 1.16 The local Venetian population is dwindling 
• 1.17 Only “campo” and “calle” here
• 1.18 The street system is Austrian
• 1.19 Harry’s Bar is home to the Bellini
• 1.20 Venice has its own beach coastline
• 1.21 The city has a whole island for its cemetery 
• 1.22 The word “quarantine” comes from Venice
• 1.23 Venice has been immortalized in masterful works of art
• 1.24 Marco Polo was a real Venetian
• 1.25 You can find the world’s first casino here 

This post may contain affiliate links! I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something recommended here.

On the off-chance you didn’t know–Venice, Italy is amazing!

Filled with bridges, churches, museums, and water, one of the most unique cities in the world has an fascinating past to go along with it.

And you’ve probably already learned some fun facts about Venice, like how there are no cars and no bikes throughout the city, or that it’s home to the oldest film festival in the world, the Venice Film Festival.

But whether you’re looking for things to know before visiting Venice or you’re a seasoned pro wandering around its winding streets, I’m sure you’ll discover some interesting facts about Venice, Italy on this list!

Grab your Travel Planner

Planning your next adventure can become overwhelming. Stay organized with this free, printable travel planner!

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Amazing Facts About Venice, Italy

The history of the most serene republic of venice.

Translating to the Most Serene Republic of Venice,  La Serenissima  began around 402 when the Veneti people would come to these islands for sanctuary during invasions. The independent Republic was officially established in 421 and lasted until Napoleon invaded in 1797. 

During this reign, the Republic of Venice controlled most of the Adriatic coast, including the Istrian peninsula. It also held control over parts of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece. 

Considered the wealthiest city in Europe, Venice thrived as an economic powerhouse due to its location and abundance of a valuable natural resource–salt.  

The ruler of Venice, called the  Doge , was not a hereditary position. He was elected by a committee controlled by wealthy Venetians and ruled for life by the people’s will.

Venice has 178 canals 

As you know, the city is famous for its canals–178 of them. 

During the height of the Venetian Republic, the main “streets” people used to move throughout the city every day were the canals. When we’re wandering around Venice today, the streets we walk along used to be for regular people and the staff of wealthy families to move around. 

That’s why you’ll see that most of the beautiful palazzo facades don’t overlook the streets we walk today. Instead, they face out over the canals where residents in boats would see when going around town.

Fun Fact : You can’t swim in the canals in Venice . The water is polluted, and you’ll recieve a fine if you’re caught.

Venice has 438 bridges

There are over 400 bridges crossing over the canals throughout the city.

And, 72 of these bridges are privately owned, meaning they go straight into someone’s front door, so whoever owns that home owns the bridge too.

Due to this, there’s still one bridge in Venice without guardrails. It’s called Ponte Chiodo , located in the Cannareggio neighborhood. At one time, all bridges looked like this, without any barriers on either side to prevent someone from falling in.

There are only four bridges that crosses the s-shaped Grand Canal–of course, the most famous bridge in Venice the Ponte di Rialto, but there’s also wooden Ponte dell’Accademia near Gallerie d’Accadmia, the Ponte degli Scalzi near Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia (Venice’s Santa Lucia train station,) and the modern Ponte dello Costituzione designed by famed Spanish architect Sanatiago Calatrava that opened in 2008. 

Venice has 124 islands

That’s right–every time you walk over a bridge in Venice, you’re actually crossing from one of the city’s 124 islands to another. That Venice fun fact is something I took for granted until it was actually pointed out to me, and it’s a pretty amazing fact about Venice to think about now.

Of the 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, three are outside of the central city and famous in their own right. One of them is Burano, a small fishing village. It’s known for its colorful and beautiful houses and needle-lacemaking. 

Murano is another famous for its blown-glass art. Through the centuries, these artisan products have found their way across the world, including into royal hands (Henry VIII) and a few popes. Visitors come for its local products and the Museum of Glass. 

Venice’s most quiet island, Torcello, was built by the Romans around 500 AD. It has an old Roman church, but many other interesting historical sites are also there.

There’s a petrified forest underneath your feet

All of the 118 islands were originally swampland, which was not suitable land for the foundation of a canal city. In order to make the land viable for building, early Venetians hammered thousands of tree trunks and wooden pilings that they had brought down from the nearby mountain ranges into the marshy ground. 

Encased tightly together in the mud sealed it from oxygen and petrified the wood, creating a stable ground. Many of the buildings we see today are still built on the same piles of wooden beams that were used for construction over 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most amazing facts about Venice I’ve learned!

• Your Guide to the Best Nightlife in Venice, Italy
• The Best Venice City Pass: An Ultimate Venice Pass Comparison Guide
• Stunning Instagrammable Places and Photo Spots in Venice, Italy
• 20+ Things I Wish I’d Known Before Moving To Rome
• The Cost of Living In Rome, Italy: A Local’s Breakdown

Venice’s iconic Carnevale celebrations were almost lost to history

The Carnevale celebration in Venice takes place in the weeks before the start of the Roman Catholic season of Lent, ending on “Fat Tuesday.” It’s an incredible tradition dating back centuries in Venice that was almost lost; the Italian communist leader Benito Mussolini outlawed the celebrations during the 1940s, and it was reinstated until the 1970s.

Masks and costumes are all part of the modern-day festivities, but Carnevale masks have their own storied history. 

Masks make for more than a pretty face

Throughout the history of Carnevale, Venetians wore masks to disguise their identities during the festivities so they could participate in whatever fun they wanted anonymously. 

Today, masks are still worn by Venetians in costume during Carnevale celebrations. And, the mask-making tradition lives on. Some authentic Venetian masks are made from artisan shops in the city using expensive materials such as gold or silver. Cheaper, touristy masks are made from plastic and available to purchase at just about any souvenir shop.

The Ballo del Doge is the city’s famous masquerade ball during Carnevale

A masquerade ball in Venice is definitely a great opportunity to see some amazing art and enjoy the beauty of Italy. The Ballo del Doge takes place every year during the Carnevale season. 

Each year, the ball has a different theme, and guests are expected to arrive dressed in historical costumes. Venetian art and culture are also showcased throughout the event–it’s an incredible night!

Gondolas were the chosen method of transportation in the Republic of Venice

Taking a ride in one of the iconic narrow black gondolas is an iconic Venice bucket list activity. Venetian gondola boats are made out of several different kinds of wood, and each piece of wood represents a specific part of the city and weighs an average of 600 kg.

At one point in history, the canals of Venice were filled with about 10,000 gondolas in Venice; now, there are only 400 left. 

Wealthy Venetians used a gondola on the canals like we would use a modern-day car on paved roads; they were used to transport anything–people, goods, livestock, anything that the city needed to operate. 

Today, taking a gondola ride is more of a novelty; it’s not really used for day-to-day transportation by locals. Venetians today take the public Vaporetto, own their own motorboat, or walk. 

 If you’re curious to try riding in a gondola when you visit the city after learning this interesting fact about Venice, take a look at this Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary  tour.

The Basilica di San Marco is adorned with stolen decorations

Basilica di San Marco was completed in 1094 and functioned as the Ducal chapel from 836–200 years before this version of the structure–through 1797. Before this masterpiece, there were two previous churches on this site.

The interior has works from some of Europe’s most famous artists, including pieces by Renaissance painters Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese, and relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the church’s patron saint.

However, many of the church’s ornaments came from neighboring churches and palaces pillaged by the Venetians. For example, look closely at the four alabaster columns behind the main altar in the cathedral. They are likely to have been taken from the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, a former cathedral in Pula, Croatia, which was looted by the Venetians in 1243.

Interested in visiting Pula, Croatia? You can check out my guides to things to do in Pula , the best beaches in Pula , and my 3-day itinerary to Pula if you want to learn more about this Croatian-Italian city.

See the stolen Basilica di San Marco horses

Like the Croatian columns, the four horses that stand above the main entrance to the Basilica were taken by Venetian crusaders in 1254 from Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade. Called the Triumphal Quadriga, they’re thought to be from around the 2nd or 3rd century C.E. 

Although you can still see the horses on top of the Basilica, these are copies of the original. In the 1980s, the horses were brought inside the church to protect them from bad weather and air pollution–you can see the originals when you take a tour inside the Basicila di San Marco. 

The Campanile di San Marco is one of the newest landmarks in Venice

Every magnificent church needs a beautiful bell tower, and the San Marco Campanile is no exception. The tower’s construction began in the early 10th century, and it took around 500 years to complete, with numerous eras of construction. 

So how is it one of the  newest  landmarks in Venice?

The original collapsed! The previous tower caved in on itself in 1902 while it was being worked on for restoration. Thankfully, it fell straight down–like how the Twin Towers fell on 9/11–so there was minimal damage to the surrounding historic buildings. 

The new bell tower was built as an exact replica of the original and completed in 1912.

Doge’s Palace was the center of the Republic’s political life 

Built in the Gothic style, the Palazzo Ducale was the seat of political power in the Republic of Venice. It was occupied by the Doge of Venice, who used it as a residence and administrative office along with the Great Council and the Council of Ten. In addition to the offices, the massive complex was also home to the city’s courthouses, ballrooms, and lower-level prisons.

Outside, on the second level of the Palace facing Piazzetta di San Marco, there are two pink columns among the white ones. This is the site where death sentences would be announced.

San Marco is Venice’s second patron saint

Of course, you know that Saint Mark the Evangelist is not only the patron saint of Venice, but his symbol–the winged lion–also represents the Republic of Venice. 

But did you know that Venice originally had a different patron saint?

The martyr and warrior Saint Theodore of Heraclea was the original patron saint of Venice. Famous for the image of a part-crocodile-part-dragon beneath his feet, he was replaced by Saint Mark when his relics arrived in the city in 828 C.E.

In honor of both saints, you can see columns dedicated to each of them in Piazzetta di San Marco.

• 23+ Festive Things to do in Bolzano, Italy at Christmas
• Your Guide for One Day in Pisa, Italy
• Your Guide to Teaching English in Italy with ACLE
• 50 of the Most Famous Landmarks in Europe
• Your Guide to 2 Days in Salzburg, Austria
• Your Guide to the Best Museums in Ghent, Belgium

Venice floods every year, and the city is slowly sinking

It’s a well-known joke that the historic city of Venice is sinking, but unfortunately, this is a real problem.

When the water level in canals suddenly rises above ground level, the city floods.

Since the Italian city sits on a lagoon, high tide, and low tide happen twice every day, but Venice is only prone to flooding when the tide rises in the Adriatic Sea during the winter months –so this really doesn’t happen in Venice when it rains , only in the winter when the tide rises.

This phenomenon is called acqua alta .

Local Venetians have apps to alert them, usually a few days in advance when there’s a risk of flooding.

And every church tower in Venice has a siren that once signaled air raids warnings throughout World War II, which are also used for flood alerts.

However, the city has recently built a tidal barrier to try and combat the flooding and slow sinking of the city due to rising tides and climate change.

You can find the operations center for the MOSE Project is housed in the Venetian Arsenal.

The local Venetian population is dwindling 

At its height, the local population of Venice reached about 175,000 people. But now, the city is a tourist hotspot–and more than 25 million people visit here every year. 

Although tourists coming to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Venice is losing its local population because people are moving out due to this overcrowding. 

There are only about 50,000 locals actually living within the city of Venice today, and a good portion of them live within the Canareggio and Castello districts. If you want to see what local living in Venice is like today, this is where you need to go. You’ll also find some excellent restaurants and lesser-known historical landmarks here. 

In an effort to combat over-tourism, the city has banned large cruise ships from docking in their ports. Also, starting in 2023, tourists will need to reserve a €5 ticket per person per day they plan on visiting the city online in advance. Officials hope this tourist tax will reduce overcrowding and strain the city’s resources.

If you’re interested in experiencing the best non-touristy things to do in Italy , check out my post with tons of recommendations around the country you’ll want to add to your next trip!

Only “campo” and “calle” here

Aside from Piazza San Marco (and Piazzetta di San Marco), you won’t find any other  piazza  in Venice. Instead, you’ll find  campo .

Piazza  is the Italian word for square, while it’s  campo  in the Venetian dialect. Similarly, instead of the Italian word  via , which means street, you’ll be walking along  calle  in Venice.

Fun Fact: One of the narrowest streets in the world is found here in Venice. Calle Varisco is only 53cm wide, making it one of the most narrow streets in the world.

The street system is Austrian

Now that you know the name for streets, you should learn how the Venetian street system was officially organized. 

After the fall of Napoleon, the Austrian Empire stepped in to control the region. When they arrived in Venice, they discovered exactly what you do when you start walking through the city’s winding, twisting streets while spending 2 days in Venice . 

The streets in Venice are winding and twisting, without any order or reason. Even Shakespeare got it right when the character Launcelot gave directions to Gobbo on how to walk to Shylock’s house:

“Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but at the next turning of all on your left. Marry, at the very next turning turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house.” – The Merchant of Venice (Act II, Scene II)

Although Launcelot was trying to confuse Gobbo, he wasn’t that far off anyway! 

The Austrians used their organizational system to bring a sense of order to the streets. The center of each of the city’s six neighborhoods became the starting point–building number 1. Then, the numbers were assigned in a snake-like pattern spiraling out from the center. 

So, an address will be written like 2367 Cannareggio. This eliminated the need to use street names for addressing mail–otherwise, an envelope address to  Calle del Forno  (street of the baker) might be delivered to one of the more than 40 streets in Venice named  Calle del Forno !

Harry’s Bar is home to the Bellini

Harry’s Bar is known as one of the most popular bars in Venice–in fact; they invented the famous Bellini cocktail! Giuseppe Cipriani, the owner of Harry’s Bar, invented the traditional brunch drink with Prosecco and peach purée between the 1930s and 1940s. 

The drink’s name was inspired by the color. Cipriani observed that the drink’s trademark pink tint matched that of a picture by Venetian Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini, so the Bellini was born.

Insider Tip : If you’re interested in experiencing Prosecco from the source, you should consider taking one of these Prosecco vineyard tours from Venice while you’re in the Veneto region. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the process behind the wine’s signature Charmat method while sampling the light bubbly white wine surrounded by breathtaking views.

Venice has its own beach coastline

Who needs the Amalfi Coast when Venezia has una spiaggia (beach)? Lido is an island off the coast of the lagoon city center where you can enjoy the sun, beach, and sea.

You’ll find several beachfront businesses, restaurants, and hotels, and most of the shoreline is open to the public. If you’re lucky enough to visit during peak season, expect to find crowds of people having a good time. Take a look at my guide to Venice beaches if you want to learn more!

• Your Guide to the Best Things to do in Šibenik, Croatia
• The Best Beaches in Šibenik, Croatia
• Your Guide to the Best Things to do in Split, Croatia
• Your Guide to 3 Days in Split, Croatia
• The Best Day Trips from Split, Croatia
• The Best Beaches in Split, Croatia
• Your Guide to the Best Nightlife in Split, Croatia

The city has a whole island for its cemetery 

Found just off the northern edge of Venice and visible from the Cannareggio neighborhood’s coast, San Michele Island is where Venetians are buried. In 1807 during the French occupation, it was decided that the deceased could no longer be laid to rest within the central city. 

You can find the graves of many famous Venetians and residents there, and it’s still an active cemetery today. 

The word “quarantine” comes from Venice

From 1346 until 1353, Europe lost one-third of its total population due to the Black Plague. The term “quarantine” comes from quaranta giorni , which translates to forty days in English.

Ships that had come to port in Venice had to stay outside the city during this period in an effort to prevent infectious ship staff and passengers from entering the city. 

Venice has been immortalized in masterful works of art

The city of canals has been the inspiration behind some famous artists in recent history. Despite (probably) never stepping foot in Italy, William Shakespeare used the city as his backdrop for his masterful comedy, The Merchant of Venice . 

The famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet captured the city’s beauty in a series of paintings titled Saint-Georges majeur au crépuscule about Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore and several other paintings.

Marco Polo was a real Venetian

You might have played the game in the pool growing up, but Marco Polo was a real person. Born in 1254 to a wealthy merchant family in Venice, he spent part of his life living in other countries, including China, Japan, Korea, India, and Persia. 

When he became imprisoned by a rival city-state, he wrote about his expeditions in The Travels of Marco Polo . You can still see his house in the Castello neighborhood.

You can find the world’s first casino here 

In 1638, il Casinò di Venezia was opened for the Carnevale season. And as of today, the Casino of Venice is still in operation! You can find the historic venue with its elegant dining options and canal-side garden in the Cannaregio district.

Which of these interesting facts about Venice, Italy, fascinated you?

You’ll Also Love

The Ultimate Venice Bucket List: 55+ Things to do in Venice, Italy

Become Purposely Lost

I'm Lyndsay! Thank you so much for joining me here at The Purposely Lost.

• Affiliate Disclaimer
• Cookie Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Accessibility Statement
• United States
• Travel Tips

Copyright © 2024 The Purposely Lost · Theme by 17th Avenue

Privacy Overview

• Travel Tips
• Attractions
• Things to do
• Food & Wine

Art & Culture

Rest of the world

Literary Venice: 6 Beautiful Descriptions of Venice in Literature

January 23, 2023

Oh, Venice! Its name alone is enough to conjure images of a time gone by. But why stop there? Romantic yet stately, calm yet vibrant, there are so many sides to the city. So to do it justice, we’ve compiled this list of the best descriptions of Venice in literature that will make you fall head over heels with the Floating City (if you haven’t already!)

Samuel Rogers; Italy , A Poem

English poet Samuel Rogers shared the literary stage with the likes of Shelley, Wordsworth and Coleridge during the 18th century – even if his name has been somewhat forgotten now. One of his most successful poems,  Italy,  was essentially a love letter to the country after he visited it for the first time in 1815. Though the poem was initially met with a mediocre reception, it proved a great success. Its description of Venice evokes all of the dreamlike, fairytale qualities that the Floating City espouses.

“There is a glorious City in the Sea. The Sea is in the broad, the narrow streets, Ebbing and flowing; and the salt sea-weed Clings to the marble of her palaces. No track of men, no footsteps to and fro, Lead to her gates. The path lies o’er the Sea, Invisible; and from the land we went, As to a floating City – steering in, And gliding up her streets as in a dream…”

Lord Byron;  Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Described as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”, Byron’s eccentric personality was superseded only by his literary accomplishments. After he was forced out of England in 1816 because of rumours of an affair with his half-sister, Byron stayed in Venice for three years forming an attachment to the city which would colour many of his subsequent works. One of the places he stayed was the Mocenigo Palace along the Grand Canal (where he lived with a fox, two mastiff dogs and two monkeys). Though Venice left an impression on the poet, he also made his mark on the city. In fact, Byron is credited with giving the city’s ‘Bridge of Sighs’ its famous epithet. In the following extract from his epic poem,  Child Harold’s Pilgrimage  his descriptions of Venice evoke the glory of the city’s past, mixing its rich history with mythical origins.

“She looks a sea Cybele, fresh from ocean, Rising with her tiara of proud towers At airy distance, with majestic motion, A ruler of the waters and their powers. And such she was; her daughters had their dowers From spoils of nations, and the exhaustless East Poured in her lap all gems in sparkling showers. In purple was she robed, and of her feast Monarchs partook, and deemed their dignity increased.”

Hans Christian Andersen;  What the Moon Saw

Hans Christian Andersen was a Dutch writer who gained considerable acclaim during his life for his collection of fairytales. One of the reasons his tales resonated with so many was because of his ability to bring diverse places, both real and imagined, to vivid life. In one of his lesser known works,  What The Moon Saw,  the moon travels through the world and returns to tell a young artist struggling to find inspiration what he’s seen in the world. One of the sights described is the city of Venice which is told with a hauntingly beautiful depiction of deserted streets before the people have risen.

“Whenever the jetty fountains splash into the marble basins, they seem to me to be telling the story of the floating city. Yes, the spouting water may tell of her, the waves of the sea may sing of her fame! On the surface of the ocean a mist often rests, and that is her widow’s veil. The bridegroom of the sea is dead, his palace and his city are his mausoleum! Dost thou know this city? She has never heard the rolling of wheels or the hoof-tread of horses in her streets, through which the fish swim, while the black gondola glides spectrally over the green water. I will show you the place,” continued the Moon, “the largest square in it, and you will fancy yourself transported into the city of a fairy tale.”

Charlotte Dacre;  Zofloya, or The Moor

Born Charlotte King, Dacre was one of the most radical female writers during the Romantic period in England. The daughter of a money-lender and often bankrupt writer John King, she was accused by her contemporary critics of writing immoral and salacious material. As a result, she often wrote under the  pseudonym,  Charlotte Dacre. In  Zofloya or The Moor , published in 1806 she describes the ‘stately’ Venice of politics and high society elsewhere set against dark undercurrents of scandal and intrigue running throughout the novel.

“Soon, to her infinite joy, Victoria beheld the towers and domes of stately Venice rising proudly from the Adriatic, encircled round by its green arms. It was the time of the Carnival: multitudes of gay and splendid gondolas appeared upon the lake as they drew near; they were now upon the point of landing at St. Mark’s. Victoria turned to thank the gondolier for his kindness – he nodded and smiled, and helped her out of the gondola, whispering in her ear, that he should never at any time object to do so pretty a girl a service.”

Mary Shelley

The daughter of enlightenment writers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, Mary Shelley is best known for her monumental novel  Frankenstein  first published anonymously in 1818. Travelling around Europe with her husband (Percy Bysshe Shelley), Mary stayed in Italy for an extended visit from 1818 – 1822. Though it proved a turbulent time in her life – marked by the death of two of her children – it profoundly impacted much of her writing afterwards.

“There is something so different in Venice from any other place in the world, that you leave at once all accustomed habits and, everyday sights to enter an enchanted garden.”

Percy Bysshe Shelley;  Lines Written among the Euganean Hills

Like many Romantic writers, Percy Shelley had a deep love of Italy. Travelling from city to city to escape their creditors back in England, Percy and his wife Mary Shelley, moved across Italy until Percy’s tragic death in 1822 when his boat was caught in a storm and he was drowned off the Gulf of La Spezia, subsequently named the ‘Gulf of Poets‘. In this poem, Venice is personified as a deity of the ocean imbued with mythical qualities.

“Beneath is spread like a green sea The waveless plain of Lombardy, Bounded by the vaporous air, Islanded by cities fair; Underneath Day’s azure eyes Ocean’s nursling, Venice lies, A peopled labyrinth of walls, Amphitrite’s destin’d halls, Which her hoary sire now paves With his blue and beaming waves.”

Want to experience the sights and sounds of Venice for yourself? Check out our extensive  Venice tours , including a  boat tour  along the canals or indulge your tastebuds with a  dine around the city !

by Aoife Bradshaw

Book a tour.

Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica, Terrace Doge's Palace

286 reviews

Venice Boat Tour with Grand Canal Tower Climb

Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour Gondola Ride

202 reviews

Venice Food Tour: Rialto Market Cicchetti Tasting with Wine

Rome In A Day Tour: Including Vatican, Colosseum, Historic Center Transfer

Day Trips from Rome: Tuscan Hilltowns, Castles Vineyards

You may also like.

March 17, 2023

The Best Day Trips from Venice: Ferrara, Sirmione, Verona, & More

With Venice as your base, the hidden gems of the Veneto region are yours for the...

July 24, 2023

Secrets of Venetian Architecture: Materials, Styles, & More

How to understand Venice palace architecture, and what features of a Venetian palazzo really...

July 04, 2023

Guide to Venice Neighborhoods: 6 Must-Know Venetian Sestiere

A guide to the sestiere of Venice, including Cannaregio, San Marco, and...

April 12, 2024

Carnevale: All About Carnival in Venice (Venetian Masks & More!)

Carnival (or "Carnevale") is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy - and from Venetian masks...

May 20, 2024

How to Enjoy the Best Italian Wines in Rome, Venice & Florence

Here's everything you need to know in order to enjoy the best Italian...

The top non-touristy things to do & see in Venice

When it comes to European destinations, Venice is instantly recognisable. You could show even...

June 26, 2023

6 Essential Venice Tips to Know Before You Visit the Floating City

Six top travel tips for visiting Venice, Italy -- from how to get around Venice to how to cut...

September 19, 2023

Symbols of Venice: Decoding The Floating City

On the surface, Venice is beautiful -- but, thanks to the fact that the city is filled with...

Stay up to date with travel tips, local insights and all things Italy on our social channels!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get curated Italy travel tips delivered to your inbox!

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

Literary Venice: 6 Beautiful Descriptions Of Venice in Literature

Oh, Venice! Just the name of this place is enough to conjure up images from a bygone era. Why stop there? There are many aspects to this city: Romantic, stately, tranquil, vibrant. We’ve compiled this list to give Venice the full attention it deserves.

Samuel Rogers; Italy, A Poem

Samuel Rogers, an English poet, shared the literary stage during the 18th century with Wordsworth, Coleridge and Shelley – even though his name is somewhat forgotten today. Italy was his most popular poem. It was actually a love letter to Italy after he had visited the country in 1815. Although the poem received a poor reception at first, it was a huge success. Its description of Venice evokes the fairytale, dreamlike qualities that the Floating City embodies.

“There is a magnificent City by the Sea.

The Sea is found in both the wide and the narrow streets.

The salt sea-weed is ebbing and flowing

She clings to the marble in her palaces.

There is no track of men or footsteps between them.

Follow her to her gates. The path is o’er to the Sea.

Invisible; from the land we went

As a floating city – steering in.

She glides up her streets like in a dream …”

Lord Byron; Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

Byron was described as “mad and bad” and dangerous to know. His literary achievements were more impressive than his eccentric personality. After being forced to leave England in 1816 due to rumors of an affair with his half sister, Byron stayed three years in Venice and formed an attachment that would influence many of his later works. The Mocenigo Palace, which is located along the Grand Canal, was one of his places. He lived there with two monkeys and two mastiff dogs. Although Venice was a significant influence on the poet, he also left his mark on the city. In fact, Byron is credited for giving the city’s infamous ‘Bridge of Sighs” its nickname. The following excerpt from Child Harold’s epic poem, Child Harold’s Pilgrimage shows how Byron’s descriptions of Venice invoke the glory of its past, combining mythical origins with rich history.

“She looks like a fresh out of the ocean sea Cybele.

With her tiara of proud towers, she rose

With majestic motion at a distance of airy.

The ruler of the waters and their power.

She was a great mother; her daughters got their dowers

From the spoils of nations and the endless East

All gems in sparkling rains were poured into her lap.

She was robed in purple, and she enjoyed her feast.

Monarchs took part, and their dignity was increased.”

Hans Christian Andersen, What the Moon Saw

Hans Christian Andersen, a Dutch writer, was well-known for his collection fairytales. His ability to bring to life diverse locations, real and imagined, was one of the reasons his stories resonated so strongly with so many. One of his lesser-known works, What The Moon Saw is a story in which the moon travels around the globe and then returns to tell a young artist who struggles to find inspiration about what he has seen. The city of Venice is one of the featured sights. It is described with hauntingly beautiful images of abandoned streets before people rise.

“When the jetty fountains splash into marble basins, it seems to me that they are telling the story about the floating city. Yes, the water may spout of her, and the waves of the ocean may sing of her fame. A mist of water often lies on the ocean’s surface, which is her widow’s veil. The sea’s bridegroom is dead. His palace and city are his mausoleum. Is this the city you know? She has not heard the wheels of her street or the hoof-tread horses of horses. The streets are where the fish swim and the black gondola glides over the green water. Moon continued, “I will show you the area, the largest square in it, so you’ll feel transported into the city of fairy tales.”

Charlotte Dacre; Zofloya or The Moor

Charlotte King was Dacre’s mother. She was one of the most radical women writers in the Romantic period. Her contemporary critics accused her of writing sexually explicit and immoral material. She was the daughter of John King, a money-lender who was often bankrupt. She often wrote under the pseudonym Charlotte Dacre. Zofloya, or The Moor was published in 1806. It describes the’stately Venice’ of politics and high society elsewhere. The novel is set against dark undercurrents and intrigue.

Victoria saw the domes and towers of the stately Venice rise proudly from the Adriatic, its green arms surrounding it. It was the Carnival time. As they approached the lake, a multitude of gay and magnificent gondolas appeared. They were soon at St. Mark’s. Victoria turned to the gondolier to express her gratitude. He smiled and nodded, helping Victoria out of the gondola. She whispered in his ear that he would never object to giving such a pretty girl a service.

Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, the daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, is most well-known for her epic novel Frankenstein. It was first published anonymously in 1818. Mary Shelley traveled around Europe with Percy Bysshe Shelley, and stayed in Italy during her extended stay. It was a difficult time in her life, marked by the deaths of two of her children. However, it had a profound impact on her writing later.

“There is something different about Venice than any other place in this world. You leave behind all your everyday habits to enter an enchanted forest.”

Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lines Written Between the Euganean Hill Hills

Percy Shelley, like many Romantic writers, had a deep love for Italy. Percy and Mary Shelley moved from one city to the next to escape their creditors in England. Percy died in 1822 after his boat got caught in a storm. He was drowned in the Gulf of La Spezia. It was later named the “Gulf of Poets”. Venice is portrayed as an ocean deity in this poem.

“Beneath spreads like a green ocean

The flat plain of Lombardy.

Bound by the vaporous atmosphere

Cities fair islanded

Underneath Day’s azure eyes

Ocean’s nursling, Venice lies,

The walls are a labyrinth for people.

Amphitrite’s destin’d halls,

And her old sire, now paves

His blue, beaming waves

Related Articles

Top 10 of the Best Things to Eat in Italy

Italy's Riviera: Cinque Terre

Guide for coffee time in Italy

Swimming crossing of Lake Como

Festival of San Giovanni

Italy in Winter

Guide to Italian Wine

Where to eat pizza in Italy

Matches at the Olimpico in Rome

Venice carnival 

F-Light: Florence Festival of Lights

Shakespeare and Venice

It’s almost certain that Shakespeare never left the shores of England but every year thousands of his contemporaries, wealthy young men, embarked on the ‘grand tour’ of European cities: it was an essential part of a gentleman’s education. Although Shakespeare never visited any European cities he set plays in many of them. He always had a reason for setting a particular action in a particular city. He knew a great deal about European cities as he was a prolific reader, keenly gleaning information about places – information that he subsequently used in his dramas. As a prominent cultural figure in London, he would also have met visitors from other European cities.

In the sixteenth century, Venice was at the heart of the grand tour. It was, in a sense, the capital of Europe. It was exciting and modern, a centre of art and music. It was a place of wealth and pleasure. It stood at the crossroads of the world, where all trade routes converged. It was a racial, religious, and ethnic melting pot with diverse cultures living close together on a small group of little islands. Small as it was, it was the gateway to Europe, with its army protecting Europe from the ever-threatening Turks on the one hand, and trading with them and its allies on the other. A young English gentleman on his grand tour would no more think of missing the pleasures of Venice than he would of omitting Rome from his tour.

Braun & Hogenberg’s 1572 map of Venice

Shakespeare uses Venice as a setting for two of his plays. In both Othello and The Merchant of Venice he’s exploring ethnic, racial and religious conflict and what better place to examine that than a small city where the pressures of those aspects of life are acute. Othello is a Black man in a traditional social environment. It’s most relevant to the 20th century audiences in that he is valued for having a unique skill, needed by the establishment, but rejected on all other fronts, rather like the African American singers who were adored by everyone but banned from clubs, swimming pools and white suburbs. In The Merchant of Venice Shylock is a Jew, despised, because he is a Jew, by everyone. They associate with him in matters of business but will have nothing to do with him on any other level. In the cases both of Othello and Shylock Shakespeare chose Venice, honing in on one of the many Moors and one of the many Jews, to reveal something important about the way human beings relate to each other. Venice was the perfect setting for doing that. In The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare is also exploring the commercial tensions that ran through issues of race and religion then, as they do today.

Shakespeare’s attention to detail in constructing the worlds in which his plays exist shows an outstanding acquired knowledge of the places he chooses to use as settings. He’s aware of the Rialto as a place where news and gossip are exchanged; of the currency – ducats; the practice of elopement conducted by gondoliers, and even the use of the name ‘Gobbo,’ taken from the famous hunchback who frequented the Rialto and confronted tourists. Once again, Shakespeare, with his great genius, gets it absolutely right.

Those of us who live in modern Europe are lucky enough to be able to jump into a plane, car or train and be in Venice in a few short hours. It’s a great chance to see the city these plays were set in and would be a rewarding for trip for any Shakespeare fan. However, keep in mind you will see something very different from the Venice an Elizabethan gentleman experienced. Today, we see a rather shabby and decaying beauty – a city sinking into the sea. Everything about it rings of the past. Beautiful it may be, but it’s somewhat dead – more like a museum than a living city. It’s a truly wonderful place to visit, but almost exclusively for its architectural treasures and the sense of its past glory.

Planning a trip to Venice?

We’ve pulled together some of the very best Venice resources from travel writers and bloggers below:

The World Pursuit advise on the best times to visit Italy .

How to visit Venice’s lagoon islands , courtesy of Kali Travel.

A guide to Murano and Burano , from Exploring Kiwis.

Kavey Eats shares how to find great food in Venice .

Eating seafood in Venice , from Euro Travel Coach.

Visiting Venice with kids? Learning Escapes give us the inside scoop.

45 things for your Venice bucket list , from Out of Office

Lipstick and Luggage discuss what to do on a trip to Venice .

Conversant Traveller discuss the best Venice mask painting workshops .

Wandering Sunsets share their 12 top Instagrammable spots in Venice .

A complete guide to the Venice Carnival from Points and Travel

Just Go Places Blog give us their tips for enjoying Carnival in Venice with kids .

A Stroll Around The World share their favourite virtual tours of Italy .

Everything you need to know about visiting Venice on a budget , according to The World And Then Some.

Fun facts about Venice from a local , written by Got My Backpack.

The best things to do in Venice, as per Travtasy.

Experiencing The Globe share their tips to visit Venice sustainably .

Check out six magical Venice experiences , courtesy of Parenthood and Passports.

A guide to Venice in winter , from Following the Rivera.

• Pinterest 0

Thank you, for the helpfull information!

Perhaps Shake-spear knew so much about Italy was that he was an educated Italian immigrant to England who came from an Italian family with the name ” Scrollo-lance” which translates into Shake-Spear

What an interesting perspective account user.

It’s as if I never lived and write or talked to Shaky

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

bigsixreading.org

• The Streets of Venice: An Immersive Journey

Venice – The Enigma Beyond Its Waters

Venice is in the heart of Italy’s northeastern coast, an enigmatic city renowned for its labyrinthine canals and romantic gondola rides. Yet, delve deeper than these shimmering waters, and Venice unfolds as a city steeped in layers of history, art, and unparalleled architectural marvels. This essay sample endeavors to transport readers past the iconic waterways and into the winding alleys, atmospheric plazas, and hidden nooks that radiate the true Venetian spirit. It’s here, away from the glistening waters, where one discovers that Venice is not merely a city built on lagoons but a rich tapestry of stories, dreams, and echoes of a bygone era.

Echoes of Footsteps on Time-Worn Cobblestones

Venture beyond Venice’s iconic canals and the melodies of the city transform. The gentle splash of water against the gondola’s hull fades, replaced by the rhythmic cadence of footsteps on ancient, weathered cobblestones. Each step taken reverberates with centuries of history, echoing tales of merchants, artists, lovers, and dreamers who once trod these very paths.

Wandering through narrow alleys flanked by timeworn buildings, one can’t help but feel an intimate connection with Venice’s rich past. The faded frescoes and intricate ironwork balconies speak of eras when art and commerce flourished. Every brick, every stone seems to whisper secrets of passionate love affairs, shrewd business deals, and artistry that defied the ages.

Imagine, for a moment, the bustling markets these streets would have witnessed: traders from distant lands haggling vociferously, their voices blending with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the murmur of animated conversations. The fragrances evolve as you wander – from the salty tang of the lagoon to the inviting aromas of traditional Venetian trattorias, tempting passersby with promises of rich risottos and delicate seafood dishes.

Amidst this orchestra of sights, sounds, and scents, the streets of Venice are an ever-evolving narrative, continually retelling their tales to those who care to listen. For the intrepid traveler, these cobblestones offer a journey through not just through lanes but through time.

Bridges that Whisper Stories

Venice, a labyrinth of canals, also boasts an intricate web of bridges that interlink its many islands. But these aren’t mere structures of stone and mortar; they are silent storytellers, guardians of countless secrets and tales from epochs long past.

The Rialto Bridge, perhaps the most famed of all, has seen merchants and nobility tread upon its arches. As you walk across, you can almost hear the echo of bargaining voices mingling with the gentle serenades of roving minstrels. This iconic span, bridging markets and palazzos, has been a silent spectator to Venice’s golden days of trade and artistry.

Yet, not all bridges shout their presence. Some are hidden, modest, and quietly poetic. The Ponte dei Sospiri, or the ‘Bridge of Sighs,’ tells a more somber tale. It’s said that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice’s beauty before their confinement. The bridge enveloped in a melancholy aura, is a testament to the city’s multifaceted history, where romance and tragedy often danced hand in hand.

Wander further, and you’ll find bridges adorned with blossoming flowers, a romantic dream where many a lover’s promise has been whispered under the velvet cloak of night. Others, simple and unadorned, stand as emblems of Venice’s utilitarian past, each plank and nail recounting tales of common folk who built the city’s legacy brick by brick.

As the sun casts its golden hue upon the city, these bridges transform, their stones gleaming, reflecting the play of light and shadow, each angle revealing a new facet, a new story. To traverse these bridges is to step into a narrative that has unfolded for centuries, inviting you to become a part of Venice’s ever-evolving tale.

Piazzas – Venice’s Beating Heart

In the winding maze of Venice’s watery avenues, its piazzas emerge as vast stages where the drama of daily Venetian life unfolds. These public squares, alive with a pulse uniquely their own, encapsulate the essence of Venetian spirit and culture.

St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, reigns supreme among them. Often hailed as “the drawing room of Europe,” this grand piazza pulsates with energy, its majestic basilica and towering campanile acting as sentinels of time. Here, one can feel the rhythmic beats of Venice – the distant serenades from gondoliers, the joyous laughter of children chasing pigeons, and the animated conversations of locals over a cup of robust Italian coffee.

However, venture deeper into Venice’s lesser-known neighborhoods and discover smaller, more intimate piazzas. Like the picturesque Campo Santa Margherita, these secluded pockets hum with local life. Children play spirited football games, elderly gentlemen debate passionately, and families dine outside, enjoying the balmy Venetian nights. Such piazzas offer an unfiltered peek into Venetian existence’s genuine, day-to-day rhythm.

Furthermore, as evening drapes over the city, these squares transform. The soft glow of street lamps illuminates historic facades, musicians serenade diners, and couples dance under the starlit sky. The air grows thick with the delectable aroma of Venetian cuisine wafting from adjacent trattorias.

Venice’s piazzas are not just mere spaces; they are dynamic canvases that paint a vivid picture of the city’s soul. They resonate with stories, emotions, and memories, inviting every visitor to pause, breathe, and immerse themselves in the timeless allure of Venice.

Secrets in the Shadows

Venturing beyond Venice’s bustling piazzas and iconic canals, one encounters a labyrinth of narrow alleyways known locally as “calle”. Often cloaked in an enigma, these slender veins of the city whisper tales of a Venice that many transient visitors might overlook.

As twilight descends, a bewitching hush envelops these pathways. The sparkle from wrought iron lanterns casts playful shadows on the aged walls, each crevice and crack revealing remnants of bygone eras. The shimmering water of the nearby canals reflects the dim light, lending an ethereal glow to the surroundings. Venice’s secrets beckon in this enchanting interplay of light and shadow.

Every calle has its narrative. Some speak of clandestine romances, where stolen glances were exchanged away from prying eyes. Others echo the footsteps of famed artists and writers seeking refuge and inspiration amidst Venice’s secluded beauty. Then some murmured tales of intrigue: merchants striking covert deals, or perhaps, the stealthy footfalls of a masked reveler during Carnival.

Hidden courtyards, or “campielli”, sporadically punctuate these alleys. Stumbling upon one feels like unearthing a secret garden. Here, ivy-clad walls embrace serene fountains, and the soft murmur of conversation floats from an unseen balcony. These nooks offer solace and a fleeting escape from the city’s tourist-laden tracks.

But, as with all secrets, one must tread lightly and reverently. The very allure of these shadowy passages lies in their mystery. The privilege of uncovering Venice’s hidden gems comes with the responsibility of preserving their sanctity.

To truly experience Venice, one must be willing to lose oneself in its enigmatic embrace, seek out the stories etched in its secret corridors’ walls, and respect the rich tapestry of history and culture that thrives in its shadows.

The Everlasting Allure

There’s an indescribable magnetism to Venice, an allure that transcends its iconic canals and famed landmarks. While its waterways shimmer in the sun’s embrace and its architecture stands testament to a grand epoch, the whispered tales from the silent streets and veiled corners truly captivate the soul.

Every step taken on the cobblestone, every bridge crossed, and every muted echo in the quiet piazzas is a gentle reminder of the passage of time and, yet, the timeless nature of Venice’s charm. In a world obsessed with the new and the novel, Venice remains a poignant ode to the past, gracefully interwoven with the present.

Those who’ve strolled through its streets, felt the cooling mist of the Grand Canal on a summer evening, or listened to the soft lullabies of gondoliers will attest to a singular truth: Venice isn’t just a destination; it’s a deeply evocative experience. It’s a place where every brick, every ripple in the water, and every shadow has a story to tell. Stories that beckon, enthrall, and ensure that the allure of Venice remains etched in one’s memory long after the journey has ended.

In concluding this essay sample, it becomes clear that Venice’s magic isn’t merely in its beauty but in its ability to transport visitors to a world where history, romance, and mystery dance in perfect harmony. A dance that invites us, time and time again, to lose ourselves in its timeless embrace.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• The Art of Expository Writing: A Deep Dive
• Essay Sample: Sunset at the Grand Canyon
• The Art of Painting with Words: Descriptive Essays
• Essay Sample: The Day I Met My Hero

Recent Comments

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write a descriptive essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.

A descriptive essay gives a vivid, detailed description of something—generally a place or object, but possibly something more abstract like an emotion. This type of essay , like the narrative essay , is more creative than most academic writing .

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Descriptive essay topics, tips for writing descriptively, descriptive essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about descriptive essays.

When you are assigned a descriptive essay, you’ll normally be given a specific prompt or choice of prompts. They will often ask you to describe something from your own experience.

• Describe a place you love to spend time in.
• Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

You might also be asked to describe something outside your own experience, in which case you’ll have to use your imagination.

• Describe the experience of a soldier in the trenches of World War I.
• Describe what it might be like to live on another planet.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to describe something more abstract, like an emotion.

If you’re not given a specific prompt, try to think of something you feel confident describing in detail. Think of objects and places you know well, that provoke specific feelings or sensations, and that you can describe in an interesting way.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

The key to writing an effective descriptive essay is to find ways of bringing your subject to life for the reader. You’re not limited to providing a literal description as you would be in more formal essay types.

Make use of figurative language, sensory details, and strong word choices to create a memorable description.

Use figurative language

Figurative language consists of devices like metaphor and simile that use words in non-literal ways to create a memorable effect. This is essential in a descriptive essay; it’s what gives your writing its creative edge and makes your description unique.

Take the following description of a park.

This tells us something about the place, but it’s a bit too literal and not likely to be memorable.

If we want to make the description more likely to stick in the reader’s mind, we can use some figurative language.

Here we have used a simile to compare the park to a face and the trees to facial hair. This is memorable because it’s not what the reader expects; it makes them look at the park from a different angle.

You don’t have to fill every sentence with figurative language, but using these devices in an original way at various points throughout your essay will keep the reader engaged and convey your unique perspective on your subject.

Use your senses

Another key aspect of descriptive writing is the use of sensory details. This means referring not only to what something looks like, but also to smell, sound, touch, and taste.

Obviously not all senses will apply to every subject, but it’s always a good idea to explore what’s interesting about your subject beyond just what it looks like.

Even when your subject is more abstract, you might find a way to incorporate the senses more metaphorically, as in this descriptive essay about fear.

Choose the right words

Writing descriptively involves choosing your words carefully. The use of effective adjectives is important, but so is your choice of adverbs , verbs , and even nouns.

It’s easy to end up using clichéd phrases—“cold as ice,” “free as a bird”—but try to reflect further and make more precise, original word choices. Clichés provide conventional ways of describing things, but they don’t tell the reader anything about your unique perspective on what you’re describing.

Try looking over your sentences to find places where a different word would convey your impression more precisely or vividly. Using a thesaurus can help you find alternative word choices.

• My cat runs across the garden quickly and jumps onto the fence to watch it from above.
• My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above.

However, exercise care in your choices; don’t just look for the most impressive-looking synonym you can find for every word. Overuse of a thesaurus can result in ridiculous sentences like this one:

• My feline perambulates the allotment proficiently and capers atop the palisade to regard it from aloft.

An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.

The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 14). How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/descriptive-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a narrative essay | example & tips, how to write a literary analysis essay | a step-by-step guide, how to write an expository essay, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Merchant of Venice — The Construction of Portia’s Character in the Merchant of Venice

The Construction of Portia's Character in The Merchant of Venice

• Categories: Merchant of Venice

About this sample

Words: 912 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 912 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1712 words

3.5 pages / 1677 words

4 pages / 1813 words

4 pages / 1790 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

The definition of loyalty is a strong feeling of support or allegiance. In The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, dependability, integrity, honesty, and faithfulness are key character traits that exhibit the true meaning [...]

Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play that reveals its scaffolding. Behavior and motive are explained for comic consistency and unity, almost as if the playwright did not trust our capacity to intuit them. This is [...]

In “The Merchant of Venice”, William Shakespeare explores the cities of contrast which are Venice and Belmont. These two locations in Italy are so antithetic to each other that even characters’ behaviours fluctuate from city to [...]

The Merchant of Venice is a traditional Shakespeare comedy, which means there is an abundance of romance and love (Devine, 29 Aug). The two main lovers in this play, Portia and Bassanio, are newly-wed lovers after Bassanio [...]

Here in Canada, we do not have the death penalty as punishment. Our judicial system shows mercy even to the worst of criminals by sparing their lives. Yet even to this day, in some countries like the USA, the death penalty still [...]

In Tennessee Williams’ play, A Streetcar Named Desire, the nature of theatricality, “magic,” and “realism,” all stem from the tragic character, Blanche DuBois. Blanche is both a theatricalizing and self-theatricalizing woman. [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Merchant of Venice

By william shakespeare, merchant of venice essay questions.

In what ways does The Merchant of Venice defy the comedic genre?

While The Merchant of Venice is firmly placed in the genre of comedy, it is a unique comedy in that it features many tropes of early modern tragedy – namely, the gruesome predilections and rhetorical skill of its central antagonist, the long-winded soliloquies interrogating major philosophical concepts, and the bleak, anxious tone that characterizes most of the play before its "twist" of a conclusion. As such, many interpret the play as an ambiguous take on the nature of prejudice and the tragic consequences it can have (though they do materialize in this play in particular).

To what extent is Shylock a true antagonist?

A major contributing factor to the play's ambiguous tone is its antagonist, Shylock. Shylock is both a selfish, money-hungry, vengeful schemer and a victim of prejudice at the hands of the Christian characters. As such, the play encourages its audience to question wether Shylock can be considered a pure villain or pure victim throughout. While he is inarguably the play's central antagonist, his character development over the course of the play asks the audience to reflect on where that antagonism may have been generated.

What, or who, triumphs at the end of the play?

Generally speaking, it is the Christian characters who triumph at the end of the play, specifically Antonio as he is freed from his contract with Shylock. However, Portia's speech during the trial (when she is disguised as Balthazar) suggests that the real victor in the play is mercy, or qualities of the righteous Christian soul. Mercy was and continues to be associated with Jesus Christ, and in speaking about the importance of mercy between Shylock and Antonio, Portia suggests that the teachings of Christianity will triumph in the end.

Why does Shylock demand a pound of Antonio's flesh instead of money?

During the trial, Shylock refuses to accept 6,000 ducats from Antonio (double the amount of the original loan). While Shylock is portrayed as a money-hungry miser throughout the play, he rejects this offer and continues to demand the pound of flesh from the original contract. This moment suggests that Shylock is not motivated entirely by money or financial gain. On the contrary, it seems his dedication to receiving the pound of flesh stems from his deep desire for revenge on a member of the Christian community, after he has suffered years of abuse at their hands for being Jewish.

How does the play comment on gender?

In one of the play's more lighthearted plots, Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as male officials of the Venetian court in order to intervene on Antonio's behalf. While cross-dressing was always entertaining on the early modern stage, Portia's confidence that she can sway the court serves as commentary on the relationship between gender and power. Portia suggests that masculinity – and the power associated with it – is itself performative, and that it only takes a male disguise for a woman to be taken seriously among men.

Merchant of Venice Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Merchant of Venice is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Explain Portias tactics. Why does she appear to support Shylock at first?

When Portia arrives in court, she asks, "Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?" (4.1.169). Indeed, given the confusion so many people have with the title, it is often this very question which is asked. Scholars have tried to attribute her...

Describe merchant of venice as romantic comedy

While the story hits upon the tragic element of despair, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, is a comedy because lovers are separated, characters are in disguise, and the story has a happy ending.

ACT III SCENE 3: What do you think Shylock means when he says, “it is my humour”?

This could be defined as "this is what I feel like doing".

Study Guide for Merchant of Venice

Merchant of Venice study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Merchant of Venice
• Merchant of Venice Summary
• Merchant of Venice Video
• Character List

Essays for Merchant of Venice

Merchant of Venice literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Merchant of Venice.

• The Victorious Woman in Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice
• Father-Daughter Relationships in The Merchant of Venice
• Mercy and the Masquerade: Trial and Performance in The Merchant of Venice
• Christianity and Judaism in The Merchant of Venice: Imperfect Faith
• The Anti-Semitic Question in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Lesson Plan for Merchant of Venice

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Merchant of Venice
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Merchant of Venice Bibliography

E-Text of Merchant of Venice

Merchant of Venice E-Text contains the full text of Merchant of Venice

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Merchant of Venice

• Introduction