Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In this stop, we will be visiting the Grand Canal of Venice, Italy. The Grand Canal, as
you will see from the map, is shaped like a reverse "S." The reverse "S" is said to
be a medieval sign of wonder and mystery. The purpose of the canal system was to avoid
flooding and create drainage. The Canal is lined by palaces, churches, hotels and other
public buildings. This main waterway begins from San Marco Basilica and goes to the Church
of Santa Chiara; this splits the city into 2 parts, the north and south. The canal is
about 2 ½ miles long and anywhere from 100-300 ft. wide. In most places, the canal is about
16 ft. deep. The Grand Canal carries a large volume of
Venetian transportation, which includes water taxis, gondolas, vaporetti's, which are (public
"bus" ferries) to ambulance speedboats. Till this day, Venice is known to be the only remaining
city, in the 21st century that is entirely without autos or trucks.