Venice Day 2 - The Doge Palace and Wandering Around

Woke up to another beautiful day in Venice.  Definitely putting the shorts on today.  And then it's cappuccino time.  You have to love Italy, Cappuccino and pastry, pizza and wine, Capuccino and biscuit, Wine, Pasta and Wine and Limoncello to finish off the night.  My day is planned.  Now what can I do so that my shorts will still fit me when I go home.  Start walking girl.  Yesterday on a slow travel day we did 10,000 steps, hoping to break that today.

Today we are heading to the Doge's Palace, originally built in 810, it was rebuilt and expanded multiple times after fires and to add more chambers.  Not only was it the home of the Doge (supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) but it also housed the Council and Senate Chambers.

 In the 19th century the Italian government realized that if they didn't start renovating the buildings they would probably have collapsed.  The public offices were moved out of the buildings other than the State Office for the protection of historical monuments and the huge task of renovating it was undertaken.

I have decided I am a statue person.  As beautiful as all these paintings are, I think I am painted out.  My walking shoes were moving pretty fast as we passed by amazing paintings on walls, ceilings,  nooks and cranies, basically everywhere.  The 15th century seemed to produce a virtual conveyor belt of dark portrait and religious paintings.

While we were there work was being done on one of the many statutes dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.  It amazes me that these works of art were made 600 years ago and how the Italians/Europeans prized every one and take such pride in their history and artists.

The view from one of the many balconies of the palace looking over the many little islands surrounding Venice.

The Bridge of Sighs, this little bridge connected the Doge Palace with the prison.  It was called the Bridge of Sighs as a lot of times this was the prisoners last view of Venice and their family as they peered through the gaps in the walls.  As you can see from the bridge another highlight and busy selfie spot on the Grand Canal.  :)

None of my womanly charms could convince Jim to go into one of the cells.  :)

Time for a little lunch

Time to keep wandering, need to work off the pizza.  

After seeing all these beautiful costumes and masks we couldn't resist going to one of the many little intimate opera shows they have on all around Venice.  These shows cost around 100 euros and are well worth it, the venues are works of art themselves and there are only about 150 people there and only 1.5 hours long.  And yes even though we couldn't understand one word they were saying, the emotion and love came through loud and clear.  Lots of fun, and great music, voices and costumes.

Final step count for the day 12,000.  Room for one more drink before bedtime as we enjoy the view of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of Saint Mary of Health)