Venice: the myths and legends of the floating city

Venice: the myths and legends of the floating city - Most know that Venice is one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities in the world! But it becomes even more magical when you know about the legends that have passed through generations of Venetian residences.
So, together let's discover a different Venice, full of mysteries!

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Legend of the Lion - The legends and mysteries of Venice begin with the symbol of the city: the lion.

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Lion of Venice: history - It is said that even before the city was founded, St Mark gave sermons in the area.

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Lion of Venice: prophecy - One day, a lion appeared, and promised that it would be there that Mark would find eternal rest.

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Lion of Venice: eternal rest - The remains of St Mark are kept in the basilica which carries his name: St Mark's Basilica.

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Lion of Venice: symbol of the city - The square where the basilica stands is also named St Mark's and is one of the most famous areas in Venice.

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The Bridge of Sighs - There are three famous legends about the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

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Legend One: The Bridge of Sighs - The first legend is that convicts who, after earning their freedom, sighed upon seeing Venice again.

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Legend Two: The Bridge of Sighs - Another version of the story tells the exact opposite: that the bridge got its name because it was the last thing they saw before being taken to their cell.

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Legend Three: The Bridge of Sighs - The third legend says that couples who pass under the bridge in a gondola must kiss.

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Legend Three: The Bridge of Sighs - According to the legend, the couples who do so will stay together forever. You'll have to find out for yourself!

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Legend of Palazzo Dario - There are more sinister legends surrounding the city too. According to legend, between 1487 and 1993, every owner of the Palazzo Dario was cursed with bad luck.

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Legend of Palazzo Dario - Some owners lost everything they had and end up ruined, while others suffered violent deaths. That's why lots of Venetians call the palace the "the house that kills" and would never live there.

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Legend of the gondoliers - Another legend involves the gondoliers, the people who steer the famous gondolas through the city's canals.

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Legend of the gondoliers - According to legend, gondoliers were born with strange feet which allowed them to move better in the water. If it were true, it would mean they were essentially born to be gondoliers.

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Legend of the Devil's Bridge, Torcello - Another Venetian legend involves the devil's bridge on the island of Torcello. According to legend, a deal between a witch and the devil was broken, and the bridge was forever cursed.

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Legend of the Devil's Bridge, Torcello - Every December 24, the devil appears at the bridge in search of the witch and the souls she owed him before she died - thus breaking the deal. So says the legend...

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Legend of love - Another Venetian legend has to do with one of the city's most famous celebrations: carnival.

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Legend of love: friends - The legend tells the story of two friends who grew up together: Pierrot and Columbina.

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Legend of love: Harlequin - Pierrot nurtured a secret love for his friend Columbina, but she falls for Harlequin, who a recent arrival in the city as part of a theater troupe.

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Legend of love: Pierrot - Harlequin and Columbina fled together to live out their romance, leaving a heartbroken Pierrot behind.

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Legend of love: return - Columbina finds a secret message from Pierrot declaring his love for her, and for a variety of reasons, decides to return to Venice.

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Legend of love: Pierrot and Columbina - When they are finally together again, Pierrot and Columbina get together and live happily ever after.

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Legend of love: Carnival - Even to today, Carnival remembers the love story of Pierrot and Columbina.

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Legend of the Vampire - This legend tells of a vampire who was buried with a brick between his teeth centuries ago in Venice.

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Legend of the Vampire: the plague - The brick in the mouth was to stop the vampire feeding on victims of the black death, which swept Europe in the 16th century.

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Legend of the Vampire: archaeology - Aside from the legend, a skull with an object in its mouth was actually found by archaeologists, strengthening the legend of the vampire.

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Legends of Venice - There are lots of legends about this gorgeous Italian city which receives thousands of visitors each year, especially in the Summer.

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Venice - Now you know, if you visit Venice, as well as the beautiful sights and the gondola rides, there are also many local legends to discover!

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