Practical Guide of Venice [antikvár]

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND FORMATION OP THE CITY: First of all the name. Why Venice? The origin of this name goes back to the time when an Indo-European population different from the Italic settled in the Venetian plains. This happened in the second millennium B.C., and, very probably, this population came from Illyria. These people subjugated the Euganei, founded Vicenza, Treviso, Padua, Este, Belluno and other cities. In the first century B.C. these cities were latinized by the Roman conquest, and, from this period, the people were called Venetians. The word Venetians, il truly of Indo-European origin, would assume the meaning of « noblemen »; if, on the other hand, it is pre-Indo-European, its meaning would be « foreigners » or « newcomers ». It is to be presumed, therefore, that from newcomers has derived the ord Venetians, and, from Venetians to Venice, the difference is obvious. The growth of Venice represents a very complex process hich has taken place through many centuries. The nucleus of the city took place in the zone of Rialto. Canals were built and the earth obtained thereof was used to raise and to reinforce the fabricated area. Thus originated the Grand Canal and the numerous brooks (rii) of the city which connect today over 118 little islands through more than 400 bridges. These islands were made stronger by a tight disposition of tree trunks on which are built the foundations of the houses and of the palaces. The urban conglomeration from West to East is 4260 meters long, and, from North to South, 2790 meters wide. It covers an area of 7,062 square kilometers. The perimeter of the city, including the islands of the Maritime Station, of Saint George, of Saint Helen, and the Giudecca is 13,700 kilometers. On account of its topographical configuration, Venice appears to the visitor as a city of dreams, springing from the waters luminous and splendid which reveals a different language each season through its endless merits: historical places, natural beauties, art the traditional hospitality and kindness of its people contribute to the uniqueness of this city. The very famous Grand Canal, or Canalazzo, as it is called by the natives, with its marvelous sequence of beautiful palaces and picturesque houses, is the main artery of the city. It is shaped like an «S» turned upside down, it is 3,8000 meters long and, at some points 30 and in others 70 meters wide; its depth.is from five to five and a half meters. The canal divides the city into two parts and flows into the bigger Saint Mark's Canal in the waters of which shines the imposing Ducal Palace. This big artery, through three bridges (that of the railway station, that of Rialto and that of the Academy) and forty-five brooks that flow into it, allow easy communication with all the « sestieri» (zones) of the city. The characteristic «rii» or «rielli» are about four to five meters wide and can only be used by gondolas. By these «rii» are the roads, often small and twisted, which are called «calli». These lead into open spaces that are called «campi» if the area is quite big, and «campielli» if it is of small dimensions. The «rii» can also lead into the «corti», so called on account of their dead ends. The names of the sestieri into which the city is divided are the following: Saint Mark, Castello, Cannareggio, Saint Croce, Saint Paul and Sorsoduro which also includes the parish of Saint Eufemia alia Giudecca. In these sestieri live a population of over two hundred thousand people. Venice is connected with land and is four kilometers distant from it. Besides the several maritime