24 Dec

How is Venice, Venice and not anywhere else?

Venezia is truly a unique city. As an island city, it has preserved much of its magic, mystery and splendor that only the privileged get to experience. The canals coursing throughout the sestieri are the very essence of the city. While the paved walkways steer the visitors towards what is showcased as “Venezia” everything from people, produce, mail and construction materials are transported along the maze of canals. These canals are what make the Invisible City, invisible.

The dichotomy of the canals is explicit, almost as if it tells the tourist “look but don’t touch”. While every visitor certainly experiences the canals in one form or another, few will ever experience the canals in the ways Venetians do. These main routes of circulation are a highly visible “locals only” system, routes that tourist can use, for a high price, and only in certain areas. This adds to the mystique of the city, a place where tourists are racing to find the “true Venezia” as the city slowly falls back into the sea.