The Grand Canal (Grand Canal, Italian. Canal Grande) "permeates" the whole of Venice, curving in an S-shape originates from the St. Mark's Basin and ends at the Santa Lucia train station. This old sea route extends almost 4 kilometers in length, and its width varies from 30 to 90 meters. On average, the depth of the channel is about 5 meters.
A huge number of buildings stretch along the shores of azure water - about 170, most of which were erected in the period from the 1200s to the 1700s of the last millennium.
Most of the public and private public transport, whether it be water buses, gondolas or boats of the inhabitants of Venice, runs along the Grand Canal, which is crossed by the three largest bridges: the Pialte Rialto Bridge, the Ponte degli Scalzi Bridge and the Academy Bridge (Ponte dell'Academia). Not far from the Scalzi bridge, not so long ago, another fairly large crossing across the canal appeared - the Constitution Bridge (Ponte della Costituzione).
Story
Historians believe that the Grand Canal is spread throughout fabulous Venice precisely in those places where a small rivulet flowed many centuries ago. It is worth noting the fact that it was the Venetian lagoon and its canals that attracted the first settlers who sought refuge from the endless raids of different conquering countries.
By the tenth century, it was perhaps the most central part of the city, where markets and points of sale were concentrated. And there was an explanation for this: overseas ships arrived here with magnificent and unique goods for the local territory, which provided the Veneto region with rapid prosperity. By the way, many houses located along the canal were built by wealthy merchants who traded directly on the water.
By the 12th and 13th centuries, the facades of buildings towering above the expanse of the water of the Grand Canal began to acquire marvelous features of the Byzantine architectural style: oblong arches and large loggias. This Venetian-Byzantine style has been preserved to this day, tirelessly pleasing the eyes of local residents and visitors. An example of such buildings are the many beautiful palaces of Venice.
The Venetian Gothic style of architecture first "noted" buildings along the Grand Canal in the 15th century. The city on the water still boasts Gothic buildings that seem to be shrouded in some mystery and mystery. During this period of time, the facades of buildings were transformed into light colors, "overgrown" with painted arches and thinner columns than before.
Buildings displaying the classic architectural and Renaissance styles appeared in Venice in the 16th century. Bright facades of buildings were replaced by warmer tones, and an interesting shape of the window came to replace the decorated arches. Examples of these styles of architecture are the courtyard of Dario (Palazzo Dario) and the palace of Grimani (Palazzo Grimani).
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Baroque style "burst" into Venice, diluting the Gothic and classical buildings of the Grand Canal. It should be noted that it was during this period that the fastest and most ambitious development of the city on the water took place. The seal of elegant baroque lies on the palaces and churches of the lagoon and basilica of Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute) - a vivid example.
In the 18th century and until the beginning of the 21st century, the banks of the Grand Canal remained virtually untouched: no buildings were erected here, but old buildings continued to change. Thus, many buildings along the canal were repaired, and some of them became home to museums and exhibition halls, which still receive visitors.
Historic Regatta (Regata storica)
The amazing and fascinating past times of Venice return to the city once a year during the historic regatta, which takes place on the first Sunday of September. The first regattas - boat competitions - cut through the waves of the Grand Canal back in the distant 14th century. Some time later, this action slightly changed: a colorful parade was opened to it, opened by a richly decorated boat. The historical regatta is one of the most beautiful and main festivals of Venice, invariably attracting a huge number of tourists from all over the world.
