Veneto / Venetien

I had planned to stop in Montagnana, to see the famous medieval city wall. It was erected mid 14th century. It is still complete and one of the best preserved in Europe. But I while I took this photo, I a little elf approached me from behind.

I had planned to stop in Montagnana, to see the famous medieval city wall. But I while I took the first photo, I a little elf approached me. She was dressed in a pink gawn. Carnival!!

A herd of cows roaming the streets of Montagnana, leaving behind nothing but heaps of confetti.

A grandma and a little prince wait for the carnival parade. The prince, dressed in a red cape, rides a fabulous, pink bike.

These gentlemen, wearing blue uniforms, are not in disguise. These gentlemen are real "carabinieri" having a close eye on the carnival parade, that slowly reaches the central piazza of Montagnana.

A giant, red Pegasus flies along the the arcades.

A large group of belly dancers came directly from One Thousand and One Nights. Myybe this was a Fata Morgana in Montagnana.

I had spent hours in Montagnana, celebrating the Italian carnival (see previous uploads), so I reached Padua (ital. Padova) at dusk. Way too late. The construction of the "Basilica of Saint Anthony" (locally known as "il Santo") started just one year after the death of St. Anthony. It was completed in 1310, but that was just the start of numerous alterations and modifications. St. Anthony, who was born in Portugal, had been buried in a small chapel "Santa Maria Mater Domini" that in the end got incorporated into the present basilica. Over the centuries the basilica has grown under different influences - and by now looks a bit "byzantine" with the domes and minaret like towers. In 2012 an earthquake caused damages to Basilica of St. Anthony, so the large scaffolding is no surprise. www.basilicadelsanto.it/ing/home.asp

I had spent hours in Montagnana, celebrating the Italian carnival (see previous uploads), so I reached Padua (ital. Padova) at dusk. Way too late. The construction of the "Basilica of Saint Anthony" (locally known as "il Santo") started just one year after the death of St. Anthony. It was completed in 1310, but that was just the start of numerous alterations and modifications. St. Anthony, who was born in Portugal, had been buried in a small chapel "Santa Maria Mater Domini" that in the end got incorporated into the present basilica. Over the centuries the basilica has grown under different influences - and by now looks a bit "byzantine" with the domes and minaret like towers. www.basilicadelsanto.it/ing/home.asp

I had spent hours in Montagnana, celebrating the Italian carnival (see previous uploads), so I reached Padua (ital. Padova) at dusk. Way too late. The construction of the "Basilica of Saint Anthony" (locally known as "il Santo") started just one year after the death of St. Anthony. It was completed in 1310, but that was just the start of numerous alterations and modifications. St. Anthony, who was born in Portugal, had been buried in a small chapel "Santa Maria Mater Domini" that in the end got incorporated into the present basilica. Over the centuries the basilica has grown under different influences. In 2012 an earthquake caused damages to Basilica of St. Anthony, so the large scaffolding is no surprise. www.basilicadelsanto.it/ing/home.asp

The construction of the "Basilica of Saint Anthony" (locally known as "il Santo") started just one year after the death of St. Anthony. It was completed in 1310, but that was just the start of numerous alterations and modifications. St. Anthony, who was born in Portugal, had been buried in a small chapel "Santa Maria Mater Domini" that in the end got incorporated into the present basilica. Over the centuries the basilica has grown under different influences - and by now looks a bit "byzantine" with the domes and minaret like towers. www.basilicadelsanto.it/ing/home.asp

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) 3000000000 photos are taken in Venice per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. The Canal Grande, as seen from the Rialto Bridge in late afternoon.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. Line 1 serves the Canal Grande.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. In the center of the skyline is St. Mark's Campanile. After the construction had collapsed in 1902 it got reconstruction to the present form in 1912.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. - St. Mark's Campanile, the Palazzo Ducale (aka "Doge's Palace") and the domes of St Mark's Basilica.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. - Gondolas at their moorings. Waiting for tourists in the early morning hours. San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. - The winged lion, the symbol of St. Mark and Venice, stands up on the pillar and keeps an eye on all the tourists around. The Palazzo Ducale is on the right.

Venice (ital. Venezia) is one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide with about 30 million visitors each year. As each tourist takes at least 100 photos (minimum!) in Venice 3000000000 photos are taken here per year, what means more than 8 millions per day. Many of them are uploaded and can be found in the web. So, I will only upload a couple of photos - and not add many words.. - Tourists, gondolas and gondoliers. Most of the gondoliers wore shirts with horizontal stripes and very dark sunglasses. None of them did sing.