Did you know that not all the streets of Venice are waterways? A few streets are built on the land. These are dedicated solely to people–no cars allowed.
Many of these paths will surprise you with their narrowness.
Residents figured out long ago how to cope with a city where land is at a premium and streets are rare and confined. Street signs, for example, don’t take up any space on the streets; they hang high on walls. Visitors get confused about which street below a sign may be referring to, but it’s fun to get lost in Venice, so that’s no problem.
The folks in Venice have figured out how to live and thrive in this unique place on the tiny bit of land available. They set up shops.
They grow their gardens out the window rather than in the ground.
Their pets watch the world from high above.
The city couldn’t sprawl as it grew because it’s surrounded by water. So it went up instead.
You won’t find backyards or clotheslines, but that’s no problem.
We all have times when the paths of our lives narrow. The going gets harder. For me, this has come in the form of illness, surgeries, money issues. In those times, we can think about the Venetians. They get creative, they build up if need be, they keep on with their laundry and their lives.
How about you? What kind of path are you traveling this week?
Linking up with Texture Tuesday, Wednesday Around the World, and Sweet Shot Tuesdays.The first photo is edited with Kim Klassen’s texture History
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35 Comments
How I would LOVE to be able to visit Venice and capture some of these wonderful images! Beautiful work.
Challenges can be opportunity disguised, they say. I think the Venetians knew that saying!
How beautiful. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I like the reflection in the first image. I really like all the narrow passageways. Would love to see it in person.
I love Venice and you’ve captured it beautifully.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful ancient city. My husband and I were there in 1973. Spent 6 days there, cheap. We were traveling with back packs, cameras, canteens, maps and our book Europe on $5-$10 a day. We had just spent 3 years living in Spain while he was in the US Navy. We wanted to see a bit of Europe before leaving for home and we did. 9 countries in almost 60 days. Venice was my very favorite place!
Thank you for bringing back memories. ~ Being creative and building our lives upward ~ is a great, positive thought.
FlowerLady
Wow! I so so so want to go to venice one day!
I love your shots here Sharon. my husband and I were in Venice a couple of years ago and it is such an amazing place! I was shocked when I saw your photo here if Rialto 79. I actually bought a LOT of murano glass and beads there. It is owned by the greatest guy and his wife is an American ( was a stewardess). We took lots of shots of this shop! Out of all the little shops in Venice, was funny to see your photo of this. Your photos by the way are just awesome. I took lots of shots when I was there, but have a lot more camera stuff now and would love to go back and stay. Have a great day!
So, so beautiful. Love that first shot. And yes, I think as long as you build on a strong foundation, you can build up as the path narrows and the water gets deeper.
I loved taking this little trip along the streets of Venice with you! What wonderful images you shared!
Venice was a fun trip…so different! These photos brought back fond memories.
Beautiful place and a lovely set of images!
Wonderful. Thank you for the tour of the non-water paths of Venice. Wonderful photos. I weas there in the 1950s and saw only the waterways. I especially liked the photo with the cat.
Oh, I do love this post and these fabulous photos of Venice! We’re going to be there this summer and I can’t wait. {I still have the email you sent me about packing!}
Wonderful photos of Venice! I have always loved the narrow alleys in European cities and miss them here.
Wonderful photos, make me a little warmer in the frozen Northeast US.
Great post! I like everything about it: the photos, the narrative, the metaphor to life. My path is warm and soft, in general, thank you for asking.
The View from the Top of the Ladder
oh wow what a beautiful place. definitely on my list to visit one day
Oih, so charming! Lovely photos, lovely place!
I love Venice. So many old buildings.
Great photo of the cat in the window, it’s my favorite. Venice is such a photographable city, nice job.
Beautiful photographs. I like the cat in the window and the black and white one. That shop selling Maurano glass-what a temptation that would be.
These are wonderful! I love the tight alley ways. I would love to explore them.
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live in Venice. It looks beautiful but I’m afraid the smell from the water would bother me and the narrow streets seem confining. Loving the shot of the cat looking out the window.
One day I hope to see Venice for myself. Thanks for sharing
Mollyxxx
I would love to visit Venice one day. Thank you for these lovely images. A little peak into life in Venice for the ordinary person. My week? is worrying about the terrible bushfires we have in our south west corner of the state this week. and praying for rain.
Have a lovely weekend. I’ve visited you from Wednesday around the world.
Venice is such an enchanting city,… it’s been a long while since I’ve been and I’m itching to go back! Love the narrow streets you captured!
My Venice!! No matter how many times I’ve been there and how many pictures I have of this city… It’s always so charming!! And I’m lucky enough to live 1 hour from there!!
How beautiful!I have never been there!AriadnefromGreece!
What a lovely visit! These are some of my favorite things in Europe too – the window boxes full of flowers and the narrow pathways. Loved seeing them through your lens!
You captured Venice really well… makes me miss it.
Beautiful!!
Your photos of the streets of Venice capture the essence quite nicely! We took several walks around the city and each time we discovered a cute little alley (and also got lost numerous times). Google maps doesn’t work really good due to all the underpasses, lol.
Hey Sharon,
I decided to check out your post on Venice, since it is one of my favorite places in Europe. I like how to pointed out to these little streets and alleys where you can discover completely different side of this unique city.
Lovely photos here! Venice is such a bliss for any photographer! I will never forget my first day there…
I love Venice. And it is a good idea to write a post about the narrow alleyways in Venice. It is what make Venice so special compare to other city – the fact that on almost each photo you have the water in the background :).