The Milan train station was built during Mussolini’s rule (1931). It is a monument to the power of government: soaring, massive, muscular. But we’ve discovered the bigger the station the easier to maneuver and get the right train. They understand how to handle big and diverse crowds. We arrived in Venice at the San Lucia station and followed our hotel’s directions to take the #1 vaporetti (ferry) down the Grand Canal to San Zacarria. This stop is near San Marco. From here we walked to the hotel where our room is the only one on the 3rd floor. We have a little balcony. But today feels very cold because the wind is 23 mph. So no balcony fun. We walked around without caring about our direction. We were so surprised and pleased to find that it is Carnevale here (Mardi Gras). People are wondering around in period costumes. It is SO beautiful here. We spent a short time in St Mark’s. It’s smaller than some of the other basilica’s but very rich with gold mosaics in the domes.
Funny thing of the day. The Venice EMTs use a wheelbarrow to transport persons. We witnessed this today as they carried out a woman.
“So he again set eyes on the most astounding landing, that blinding composition of fantastic architecture, which the Republic has to offer the awestruck looks of the approaching seafarers: the light grandeur of the Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, the columns topped with the lion and the saint close to the shore, the flaunting projecting flank of St Mark’s, the view of St Mark’s Clock, and thus contemplating he thought that arriving in Venice from the train station was like entering a palace through the servants’ entrance and that one should always, like himself, travel across the ocean to the most improbable of cities.” Thomas Mann, Death in Venice
We entered and exited Venice via cruise ship, so I identify with your quote. It is beautiful, isn’t it!
Si, molto.