Everybody knows the gondola. However, few understand that the style of rowing all types of traditional Venetian craft — the Voga alla Veneta — is unique to the lagoon and as old as Venice itself. Giuliano and Lael Hazan noticed — and chose our documentary demo as Best of Italy.
A text message from Centro Marea this morning announced the predicted tide levels for the next several days. Though the worst will arrive, like Santa, in the wee hours of the night, it’s still something to be aware of as you wend your way through the city enjoying holiday cheer. Just don your Christmas boots and you should be fine:
…all to be accompanied by cloudy skies and steady rains. It seems the snowfall that the rest of Europe and Italy has been experiencing will be coming our way in liquid form, from above and below.
To get an idea of the effect high tides have on the city:
For tides of 110 cm or higher, sirens will sound 3-4 hours in advance. Anything over 140 cm is world news and people start showing up in costumes and body paint with motorized surfboards and the like trying to get their picture in somebody’s Daily News or as part of a viral Youtube video.
Should you bring boots? Nah. Just make sure your lodging has them ready for you. Worse case, you can pick up a pair here for about €15 and save yourself lots of luggage space.
Remember too, that it’s a tide, and the most significant interruptions will be for about four hours as it approaches is peak and then recedes once again.
For more info, see the English version of the Comune’s Instituzione Centro Provisioni e Segnalazioni Marea.
This just-beyond-a-dusting of snow will likely be all gone by tomorrow, but in the meantime it makes for a pretty, silent night.
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According the press release, Mayor Giorgio Orsoni and company inaugurated “Energia” this morning, the new eco-friendly airport transport craft that will take its place in the Alilaguna fleet (Alilaguna is the private transport service to the port and airport). Constructed by Cantieri Vizianello, the craft is equipped with an electric motor that will allow it to travel the Canal Grande in silence, without pollution or damaging emissions, keeping wave motion to a minimum without affecting power or maneuverability.
If only all craft that traveled the Grand Canal were so equipped. It’s a mossa in the right direction though, no?
Gondolier Marco Zanon created an audio slideshow on his Facebook page using this majestic version of the Anthem to San Marco, performed by La Fenice chorus — although you’ll hear attempts of various quality if you listen to impromtu groups, piena di allegria and prosecco, usually, anytime the mood so inspires them. It only hints at the depth of pride Venetians have for their patria.
You may have to become Marco’s Facebook friend to view/hear the anthem — but it’s worth it, I promise (you can always un-Friend him later if you prefer). He posts lots of photos and other memoriabilia of La Venezia che fu, the Venice That Was, along with other commentary on current conditions in the city.
The composer of the anthem is anonymous, but the lyrics (with rough translation), and this recording, certainly give indication to the sentiments of its inhabitants…still.
Il nostro vessillo vogliamo sul mar – We want our vessel at sea!
L’inno di guerra San Marco dei prodi – The anthem of war, San Marco, and proud men.
Il nostro vessillo vogliamo sul mar.
Il nostro vessillo vogliamo sul mar!
E tra quel silenzio di tanti canali – and in that silence of so many canals
si sente la voce del suo gondolier. – one hears the voce of her gondolier
Che spinge la barca vogando sul remo – that propels his boat by oar
cantando con voce la mesta canzon. – while singing this melacholy song.
“Mia cara Venezia, mia patria diletta – My dear Venice, my precious homeland
tu fosti regina possente sui mari – you were the powerful queen of the seas
Tu fosti regina possente sui mari
cinta di glorie, speranze d’amor… embraced by glory, the hope of love…
Viva Venezia, viva San Marco
Evviva le glorie del nostro leon – and Viva the glories of our lion
Viva le glorie del nostro leon!”