Today we attended Doges palace where we learned about the progression of Venetian government and the various punishments inflicted on criminals. The Doges used to rule for many years until the people realized that too much power for too long had a negative effect on the republic. Some Doges would try to gain more power by pushing for a hereditary lineage for the future Doges but it is rumored that these leaders were beheaded for these ideas. The Venetians adopted a diverse checks and balances system to create a more fair republic and Doges were appointed at very old ages to limit the number of possible terms they could rule. The most interesting fact I learned today was that the Venetians had longer average life spans due to their diet and way of travel which included a required 40 day stay on an island for all boat travelers to limit the spread of disease. The number 40 in Italian is pronounced “quadrants” so this practice is where we got the word “quarantine”.
My group went to a pizzeria during lunch and Gabi got a calzone the size of a football. The food was great and it was a needed break before we continued to go shopping for the next four hours. We caught the 5 o’clock boat back to the lido and rested up until dinner at 6.
One of the hidden gems of Venice is Harry’s Bar. This is the bar where Ernest Hemingway drank while he lived here, and where the peach bellini was created! While we didn’t get to have a taste, the atmosphere was very cool and the extortionately priced menu was fun to at least look at!
Some of us also went to the opera! Well, maybe not the Venetian grand opera, but I Musici Veneziani’s performance of famous Baroque and Classical Arias with world-renowned singers. We heard music from The Barber of Seville, La Traviata, La Boheme, and more! Everyone had a great time, and we may have even made some music enthusiasts!
