The Project Gutenberg eBook of Venice and Its Story
Title: Venice and Its Story
Author: Thomas Okey
Illustrator: Nelly Erichsen
active 1895-1911 Woodbine K. Hinchliff
O. F. M. Ward
Release date: October 28, 2012 [eBook #41209]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images available The Internet Archive)
| The original book’s spelling of peoples’ and places’ names have not been altered or corrected in this etext. |
VENICE AND ITS STORY
First Edition, October 1903
Second Edition, November 1903
Third, Revised and Cheaper Edition, September 1910
All Rights Reserved
DOGE LEONARDO LOREDAN.
By Giov. Bellini.
(In the National Gallery)
V E N I C E
AND ITS STORY
BY
T. O K E Y
ILLUSTRATED BY
NELLY ERICHSEN
W. K. HINCHLIFF &
O. F. M. WARD
1910
LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD.
NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
Venice the eie of Italie.”
PREFACE
THE History of Venice is the history of a State unparalleled in Europe for permanence and stability. For centuries Venice occupied that position of maritime supremacy now held by Great Britain, and time was when an English king was fain to crave the loan of a few warships to vindicate his rights in France. The autonomy of the Venetian Republic so imposed on men’s minds that it was regarded as in the very nature of things, and even so acute an observer as Voltaire wrote in the Dictionnaire Philosophique, less than three decades before her fall: “Venice has preserved her independence during eleven centuries, and I flatter myself will preserve it for ever.”
In the course of our story we have freely drawn from the old chronicles, while not neglecting modern historians, chiefest of whom is the Triestine Hebrew scholar, Samuele Romanin. Indeed, all that has been written on Venetian history during the past forty years does but increase our admiration for the imperturbable industry and sagacious judgment of the author of the Storia Documentata di Venezia, to whom our heaviest debt is due.
The history, criticism and appreciation of Venetian architecture and Venetian painting are indissolubly associated with the genius of Ruskin, and notwithstanding some waywardness of judgment and spoilt-child philosophy, his writings are, and ever will be, the classic works on the subject. Among more recent authorities we are indebted to the publications of Berenson, Bode, Burckhardt, Ludwig, Morelli, and Saccardo.
For purposes of description we have divided the city and outlying islands of the Venetian lagoon into twenty sections, arranged rather with regard to their relative historical and artistic importance than to strict topographical considerations, although these have not been lost sight of. In our quality of cicerone we have drawn from an acquaintance of the city at various times extending over a period of twenty years: more detailed and practical information may be sought in the admirable guide-books of Baedeker, Grant Allen, Gsellfels and Murray.
A pleasant duty is that of expressing our gratitude for personal help and counsel to, among others, Mr Horatio F. Brown, Signor Cantalamessa the courteous Director of the Accademia, Mr Bolton King, Signor Alfredo Melani, and Mr René Spiers.
In order not to burden our pages with many notes we have limited references to such passages as seemed specially to call for them, exigencies of space having straitened a wide subject within close bounds. If, however, the perusal of this slight and imperfect sketch may lead intending travellers to turn to richer springs—and in that hope we have appended a list of the main sources[1] from which we have drawn—our pleasant labours will be amply rewarded. It is with travel as with other modes of observation. The eye will see what the mind takes with it, for as the Spanish proverb quoted by Dr Johnson runs: “He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.”
CONTENTS
| PART I.—THE STORY | |
| CHAPTER I | |
| PAGE | |
The Foundation at Rialto | 1 |
| CHAPTER II | |
St Mark the Patron of Venice—The Brides of St Mark—Conquest of Dalmatia—Limitation of the Doge’s Power | 17 |
| CHAPTER III | |
Expansion in the East—Reconciliation of Pope Alexander III. and the Emperor Barbarossa—The Wedding of the Adriatic | 35 |
| CHAPTER IV | |
Enrico Dandolo and the Capture of Constantinople | 56 |
| CHAPTER V | |
The Aristocracy—War with the Genoese—Loss of Constantinople | 72 |
| CHAPTER VI | |
The Duel with Genoa—The Closing of the Great Council | 85 |
| CHAPTER VII | |
The Oligarchy—Commercial Supremacy—The Bajamonte Conspiracy—The Council of the Ten—The Prisons | 103 |
| CHAPTER VIII | |
Conquests on the Mainland—Execution of Marin Faliero—The Fall of Genoa | 118 |
| CHAPTER IX | |
Aggression on the Mainland—Arrest and Execution of Carmagnola—The Two Foscari | 135 |
| CHAPTER X | |
The Turkish Terror—Acquisition of Cyprus—Discovery of the Cape Route to India—The French Invasions—The League of Cambrai—Decline of Venice | 152 |
| CHAPTER XI | |
Loss of Cyprus—Lepanto—Paolo Sarpi—Attack on the Ten—Loss of Crete—Temporary Reconquest of the Morea—Decadence—The End | 170 |
| CHAPTER XII
The Fine Arts at Venice | |
Masons—Painters—Glass-workers—Printers | 187 |
| PART II.—THE CITY | |
| SECTION I | |
Arrival—The Piazza | 215 |
| SECTION II | |
The Basilica of St Mark | 222 |
| SECTION III | |
The Ducal Palace | 241 |
| SECTION IV | |
The Accademia | 252 |
| SECTION V | |
The Grand Canal and S. Giorgio Maggiore | 263 |
| SECTION VI | |
S. Zulian—S. Maria Formosa—S. Zanipolo (SS. Giovanni e Paolo)—The Colleoni Statue—The Scuola di S. Marco—S. Maria dei Miracoli | 275 |
| SECTION VII | |
The Frari—The Scuola and Church of S. Rocco | 281 |
| SECTION VIII | |
S. Zaccaria—S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni—S. Francesco della Vigna | 286 |
| SECTION IX | |
The Riva degli Schiavoni—S. Maria della Pietà—Petrarch’s House—S. Giovanni in Bragoro—S. Martino—The Arsenal—The Public Gardens—S. Pietro in Castello | 289 |
| SECTION X | |
S. Salvatore—Corte del Milione—S. Giovanni Grisostomo | 292 |
| SECTION XI | |
S. Moisè—S. Stefano—Site of the Aldine Press—Il Bovolo—S. Vitale—S. Vio—The Salute—The Seminario | 295 |
| SECTION XII | |
SS. Apostoli-Palazzo Falier—I Gesuiti—I Crociferi—S. Caterina—S. Maria dell’Orto—S. Marziale—Palazzo Giovanelli | 298 |
| SECTION XIII | |
The Rialto—S. Giacomo del Rialto—S. Giovanni Elemosinario—S. Cassiano—S. Maria Mater Domini—Museo Civico | 301 |
| SECTION XIV | |
S. Sebastiano—S. Maria del Carmine—S. Pantaleone—The Cobblers’ Guildhall—S. Polo—S. Apollinare | 305 |
| SECTION XV | |
Giudecca—The Redentore—S. Trovaso | 309 |
| SECTION XVI | |
Palazzo Labia—S. Giobbe—The Ghetti—Gli Scalzi | 310 |
| SECTION XVII | |
Titian’s House—S. Michele in Isola—Murano | 314 |
| SECTION XVIII | |
Torcello—S. Francesco del Deserto | 318 |
| SECTION XIX | |
S. Nicolo del Lido | 320 |
| SECTION XX | |
Chioggia | 322 |
| APPENDIX I | |
List of Doges | 325 |
| APPENDIX II | |
Bibliography | 326 |
| INDEX | 328 |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| LIST OF COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS | |
Doge Leonardo Loredan. In the National Gallery. By Giovanni Bellini | Frontispiece |
The Customs House facing page | facing page 6 |
Basin of S. Marco | “ “ 10 |
S. Marco from Piazzetta Dei Leoni | “ “ 23 |
A Girl of Castello | “ “ 25 |
S. Marco—Façade | “ “ 26 |
S. Marco—Shrine of the Holy Cross | “ “ 37 |
S. Marco—interior—Chapel of S. Clemente | “ “ 45 |
The Piazzetta and Column of St Mark | “ “ 50 |
S. Marco—Choir | “ “ 61 |
Sunset on the Zattere | “ “ 71 |
Isle of S. Francesco del Deserto | “ “ 74 |
S. Marco from Colonnade of Palazzo Ducale | “ “ 82 |
Doge’s Palace from Isola S. Giorgio | “ “ 90 |
On the Grand Canal | “ “ 96 |
Boats at Anchor | “ “ 103 |
The Clock Tower and Entrance to Merceria | “ “ 108 |
S. Giorgio and the Salute | “ “ 116 |
Sunset—Modern Venice | “ “ 132 |
Rio and Ponte di Santa Maria Maggiore | “ “ 138 |
A Fruit Stall | “ “ 149 |
The Fish-Market | “ “ 158 |
Curiosity-Shop near Piazza | “ “ 165 |
A Wine-Shop | “ “ 172 |
Ponte di Rialto | “ “ 181 |
Ponte di Rialto from the Market | “ “ 190 |
In the Procuratie Nuove | “ “ 195 |
On the Steps of the “Redentore” | “ “ 204 |
A Venetian Woman | “ “ 213 |
A Gondolier | “ “ 220 |
I Tre Ponti | “ “ 229 |
Ponte dei Sospiri | “ “ 244 |
Grand Canal—Palazzi Rezzonico and Foscari | “ “ 266 |
Scuola di S. Marco and Statue of Colleoni | “ “ 280 |
Scuola di S. Rocca | “ “ 285 |
S. Fosca and Palazzo Giovanelli | “ “ 293 |
Rio S. Cassiano | “ “ 300 |
Timber Boats | “ “ 309 |
Cannareggio | “ “ 312 |
Venice from the Lido | “ “ 320 |
| REPRODUCTIONS OF PICTURES From Photographs by Alinari | |
Portrait of Sultan Mahomet II. In the Palazzo Layard. By Gentile Bellini | facing page 196 |
Madonna Enthroned and Four Saints. In S. Zaccaria. By Giovanni Bellini | “ “ 198 |
St George and the Dragon. In S. Giorgio Maggiore. By Carpaccio | “ “ 198 |
The Baptist and Four Saints. In the Madonna dell’Orto. By Cima | “ “ 200 |
S. Cristina. In S. Maria Mater Domini. By Catena | “ “ 202 |
The Dead Christ. In the Accademia. By Titian | “ “ 204 |
Presentation of St Mark’s Ring to the Doge. In the Accademia. By Bordone | “ “ 208 |
The Marriage of St. Catherine. In St. Caterina. By Veronese | “ “ 210 |
The Marriage of St. Catherine. In the Ducal Palace. By Tintoretto | “ “ 246 |
The Rich Man’s Feast. In the Accademia. By Bonifazio | “ “ 256 |
Gipsy and Soldier. In the Palazzo Giovannelli. By Giorgione | “ “ 300 |
| ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT | |
| PAGE | |
Headpiece to Part I. Chapter I. | 1 |
On the Lagoons | 3 |
S. Fosca and the Duomo, Torcello | 4 |
Ponte S. Giustina | 5 |
(a) Early Ducal Cap from an Old Mosaic in St Mark; (b) Early Ducal Cap of Doge Moro, from the Portrait in S. Giobbe | 8 |
Cloisters of S. Gregorio | 14 |
Fishing Boats | 15 |
Cloister of S. Francesca della Vigna | 18 |
S. Pietro in Castello from S. Elena | 23 |
Vine Pergola on the Giudecca | 31 |
The Squero, S. Trovaso | 40 |
S. Marco and the Doge’s Palace, with the Loggetta in the Foreground | 48 |
Columns of SS. Mark and Theodore | 51 |
S. Marco—Interior, with Pulpit | 58 |
S. Marco—Façade and Campanile | 86 |
Doge’s Palace—The Judgment of Solomon Corner | 94 |
Remains of Marco Polo’s House | 99 |
Doge’s Palace—Sala del Maggior Consiglio | 100 |
Ponte di Paglia | 112 |
The Palazzi Giustiniani and Foscari | 126 |
Cloister of S. Gregorio | 142 |
Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni | 145 |
Bust of Francesco Foscari | 150 |
Palazzo Dario | 160 |
The Piazzetta | 217 |
S. Marco—Main Portal | 224 |
S. Marco—Detail of Archivolt | 225 |
S. Marco—Detail of Main Door | 226 |
Byzantine Relief—North Side, S. Marco | 228 |
Byzantine Relief from South Side, S. Marco | 229 |
Capitals, Atrium, S. Marco | 230 |
S. Giorgio Maggiore | 236 |
Doge’s Palace—The Cortile | 248 |
Grand Canal, with the Riva del Carbon and Rialto Bridge | 267 |
Ca’ d’Oro | 268 |
Palazzo Vendramin | 271 |
Traghetto and Campo S. Samuele | 272 |
Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni | 280 |
Headpiece to Section IX. | 289 |
Venice from the Public Gardens | 290 |
Well-Head, Campo S. Giovanni Grisostomo | 294 |
The Rialto Bridge | 294 |
Palazzo Contarini, with Spiral Staircase and Byzantine Well-Head | 296 |
S. Maria della Salute | 296 |
Edict Stone, Rialto | 301 |
Byzantine Crosses—Campo S. Maria Mater Domini | 302 |
Doorway with Coloured Relief of SS. Mark and Anianus; Cobblers’ Guild House, Campo S. Tomà | 307 |
Fishing Boats on the Giudecca | 311 |
Headpiece to Section XVII. | 314 |
Murano | 315 |
Venice from the South | 322 |
| MAPS | |
Sketch Map of Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean | facing page 1 |
Venice in the Sixteenth Century | “ “ 215 |
SKETCH MAP of ITALY & the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN