The first Itinerary is called "Adventure Door". It starts in the Campo San Bartolomio, near the Rialto bridge. The staring point being the statue of Carlo Goldoni, the famous Venetian comedian. It was to be a bad start as the statue was covered up for restoration works. The next stop didn't get things off to a better start either. We were to tour the old post office building. Unfortunately it was Saturday and it was shut.
Ready for the start of the tour.
The tour was almost over before it started. I needed something special to rekindle the enthusiasm that was evaporating from the Venetians. Luckily, the next stop provided it in spades. Corte Remer is off the beaten track, close to the Rialto bridge. A few twists and turns and you are there. A magical Byzantine courtyard backing on to the Grand Canal. Roberto and Antonella were impressed. They never knew it was here. Indeed, it looks like a private courtyard when you sail past on the Grand Canal. There was a traditional pub in the corner which looked rustic. We would investigate this another time. I had to continue with the tour, buoyed by the success of this stop.
Corte Remer.
View of Rialto from Corte Remer.
The next stop was another courtyard off the typical tourist routes of Venice. It was Corte Morosina, the home of the famous Morosini family of Venice that counted 4 doges, 3 dogesses and 2 queens within its ranks. This courtyard was home to a rather tragic tale of a young Knight who was returning home to Germany with a sacred relic from the holy wars in his possession. Allegedly, it was a fragment of the holy cross. He was befriended by a noble merchant who invited him to his home in this courtyard. Here the young knight felt relaxed and at home, even more so when he met his friends beautiful sister. He soon fell in love and forgot all about his prised possession and his journey home.
However, his friend was not what he appeared, nor was the sister. In fact, they were callous lovers who had tricked the young knight in order to steal his holy relic. They ran off with their prize, leaving the young knight distraught and heartbroken. Legend tells us that the knight roamed the streets endlessly in search of his lost treasure in vain. His painful wailing echoing around Venice until one day people found his empty armour and helmet resting against the well in this courtyard. He was never seen again.
Corte Morosina.
The next stop on the tour was to the birth place of the most famous Venetian of all time, Marco Polo. This is the Corte Seconda del Milion. Marco was born in 1215, the son of a trader who specialised in trade with the orient. At the age of 17, Marco set sail with his father and Uncle to the far east. Here they were greeted by the Mongol lord, Kublai Khan.
They stayed as a guest of the Khan for over 20 years. Finally, they were allowed to return home, returning to Venice nearly 25 years after they had set-off on their journey. Friends and relatives did not recognise them at first as they appeared in strange oriental attire.
Monica at home with the Polo's.
View from ponte del cristo.
The tour continued past the Malibran movie theater, along Calle del Cristo and crossing the bridge with a beautiful view of the canals of Venice. Then it was on to the impressive church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. As all churches in Venice, it has a grand history. It is said that this marble church was built using donations collected by people visiting the painting of the Madonna, which the people adored for the miracles it worked. The painting was set upon the altar when work was completed in 1489. Time was running out so we had to cut the tour short and return home for Lunch.
Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
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