On the first day visiting Venice, my friend Janet's nephew arranged for a private tour guide to take us around the various parts of the city. It was a very special treat because it was just the three of us and the guide and she kept us enthralled with everything we saw. Above is a stone head that sits above a doorway in a private garden she was able to let us see.
At the Doge's Palace we saw this face with it's "Lion's Mouth" that was used at one time as a post box where people could post anonymous reports of crimes against the government. They would slip them through the opening in the mouth. Unfortunately is was often used to get back at someone for some domestic dispute so after a while the mouth was sealed up with copper.
Another statue sports an iron nose probably replacing one that broke off. It is said to be a portrait of one of the Mastelli Brothers and can be found in Palazzo Mastelli.
This Arab fellow is located in Campo Dei Mori and is likely another trader who sold his wares in Venice.
Finding and learning about little jewels like these made our tour of Venice very special.
4 comments:
I like them all! That first one stands out well against the bright color of the wall.
The first one looks as if it could spout a stream into a fountain.
I like these- they certainly do stand out beautifully.
I think I saw the second one, but the rest are all new to me. I head to Italy on Saturday, flying into Venice but unfortunately bypassing the city itself on this trip. I am already regretting that I didn't arrange some time for Venice.
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