Maurizio

Zanetti

Venice. A few steps from the Grand Canal is the Court of Duke Sforza. It seems impossible but in this courtyard someone has planted palm trees which, in just a few years, have already surpassed the second floor of the houses...

In the Castello district it is probably (with the Giudecca) the last place in Venice not yet invaded and shocked by overtourism. Among its streets there are more shops for Venetians and fewer sellers of souvenirs for tourists, more real taverns than takeaways. Among its streets the language that is most heard is the sweet Venetian dialect. Between one house and another the clothes are hung out to dry.

Venezia. The Church of Santa Maria delle Penitenti is a real little jewel in the Cannaregio district. Built around the mid-1700s as a place of worship attached to the college of penitents (which welcomed prostitutes who wanted to redeem themselves), until next November it is an exhibition site for the Art Biennale and hosts the works of Edith Karlson.

Venice is a treasure chest containing hundreds of stupendous palaces and churches. Which in turn contain hundreds of frescoes, paintings, statues, gigantic Murano glass lamps. But even along its streets (which the Venetians call "calli") it is difficult to travel just a few meters without finding small masterpieces. Like this "sotoportego" towards Calle De L'Anzolo.

Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel is a palace in Venice. Built between 1473 and 1479 by Nicolò Soranzo, in 1652 it became the property of the Van Axel family, rich merchants from Holland. Usually not visitable, it is open to the public on the occasion of the 60th Art Biennale until November 24th.

Keepers of the Krown, is a work by Lauren Halsey exhibited inside the Arsenale of Venice on the occasion of the 60th Art Biennale. Can be visited until November 24th.

Forte San Procolo is one of the fortifications built by the Austrian occupiers between 1840 and 1841. During the First World War it was used as a military prison. Until the mid-80s of the last century it was used by the army as a workshop. Then abandoned and covered almost entirely by vegetation, only in recent years has it seen redevelopment work by volunteers and, recently, by the Municipality of Verona. Which occasionally opens it to visits.

Bruno Catalano is an Italian -French sculptor renowned for creating sculptures of figures with substantial sections missing. Until October 31st in Genoa it will be possible to admire 5 of his sculptures from the "Travelers" series. In the photo the one entitled Benoit.

"Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere" is the title of the 60th Venice Art Biennale. And it is also a series of installations created since 2004 by the Claire Fontaine collective. In the photo those at the Arsenale.

The Church of the Ospedaletto, or Santa Maria dei Derelitti, Castello district in Venice, based on an original design by Palladio and facade by Baldassare Longhena, was built at the end of 1500 on a previous hospital. Inside the splendid monumental spiral staircase.

Venice, the Grand Canal with the Campo della Pescaria in the background. We come across a gondola with tourists and a racing boat, probably a carolina, with 7 rowers in training.

An open gate in the less touristy part of Venice, the northern side of the Cannaregio district. An invitation to enter and discover a small secret garden, with votive capital and cat.

The church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is a true Renaissance jewel built towards the end of the 1400s in the Cannaregio district of Venice. Seeing it from the streets that surround it is amazing. Being able to see it from the windows of the nearby Van Axel building is a privilege.

Venice, rainy day. A "sotoportego" towards the ferry on the Grand Canal.

Venice. From the window of a vaporetto a 4-oared "sandolo". In the background the island of San Michele, the cemetery.

Venice, Castello district. Over the years, the old door of a warehouse has become a true work of art.

Easter in Venice. Under the Guglie bridge, on the Cannaregio canal, a boat with a diorama on the "Passion of Christ".

There is little to say: Venice is the most beautiful city in the world. For its history, its buildings, its canals. And for the priceless beauty of being able to walk around it, step by step, looking around without the horrible presence of cars. And step by step you may happen to discover cats that, on the windowsill, watch whoever passes by in the street...

A window on the ground floor of a house in Venice in the popular Castello district. Adorned with flower pots and small wooden sculptures. And, behind the glass, a splendid cat observes passers-by.

They observed each other at arm's length for a while. Then they approached and smelled closely. Then they each retraced their steps. But in the photo there is nothing to do: it looks like they kissed.