We are really getting into the lifestyle of 'far niente'........at least after waking up and not feeling pressed to run out and discover something! That being said, the impact only lasts for those first few hours and then we are off on an adventure of some sort! Today started off with a few clouds, but was clearing by about 10:00. It's funny how the sun and nice weather drives our inertia. It turned out to be a really nice day and we got excited to head out to Dorsoduro again, and a visit to Ca' Rezzonico. This is a really cool renovated palazzo/museum dedicated to the Settecento (17th century) in Venice. This involved a 4-stop ride on the #2 vaporetto and a 20 minute walk.......all quite pleasant on a gorgeous day.
Upon arriving at the Zattere stop, we realized there were a couple of interesting biennale art exhibits installed at churches along the Zattere fondamenta. We decided to take a peak and were pleasantly surprised.
Leaving the Fondazione, we walked through the courtyards this morning. First, the Court of the Cyprus Trees, and then the Palladian Cloister.
The room above is the original dining hall of the monastery, designed by Palladio in collaboration with Paolo Veronese who painted the amazing fresco on the wall of the "Wedding Feast at Cana." Napoleon liked the painting so much that he stole the original and had it shipped back to the Louvre........never to return. The installation now is a wonderful facsimile.
Sorry for the jumpy sequence here........got sidetracked by the cloisters and courtyards on our way to Zattere!
Quiet morning on the Linea 2 Vaporetto!
The first exhibit was at the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione on the Zattere Fondamenta. It was curated by Walter Vanhaerets and a team from Belgium. Quite stunning! Make sure to watch the video to get a better sense of scale and presence.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO IN FULL SCREEN MODE.....AMAZING!
Following those unanticipated explorations, decided to stop for a cappuccino and a machiato in Campo San Barnaba. We were surprised to realize we had done this route on the last trip and decided to stop at the same cafe/bar Ai Artisti. Got a great table on the campo just in time to see a sea gull swoop in and grab an entire sandwich out of the hands of an unsuspecting tourist! quite something. The coffee, undisturbed, was delicious.
We finally managed to meander down some back streets and arrive at Ca' Rezzonico. The palace has been memorialized as the palazzo lived in by Robert Browning - who spent the summers of 1887 and 1888 in the palace, and died here in 1889 – and the composer and songwriter Cole Porter, who rented the premises from 1926 to 1927. We may offer a little more history about the place.......but will put it at the end of this blog so as not to 'clog' things up with too much history!
Starting with a model to give an overview-
TIEPOLO CONTINUES TO AMAZE.......
SORRY, PROBABLY BETTER TO TURN IT 90 DEGREES
Canaletto
CUT SOME OF THE PAINTING PHOTOS SHORT TO HEAD DOWNSTAIRS FOR LUNCH!
Totally amazing cafe in the museum right on the Grand Canal that know one seemed to know about. This was an amazing location and a great, simple lunch........what a find!
BACK FOR A REST.......AND A NIGHT OUT AT THE BELMOND CIPRIANI
Only a vaporetto stop away, but a wonderful escape to a very special place.......
Looks like someone else arrived for dinner and got our parking space!
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