Category Archives: Italy

Stunning Photos of Italy

Il Duomo’s Main Door in Milan, Italy

Posted on April 17th, 2014 by

Il Duomo’s Main Door is a Bronze Masterpiece

Hulking and overwhelming is the main door of Il Duomo in Milan; much as the cathedral itself. It’s raw size is imposing and perhaps more than any other, Milan’s Cathedral most reminded me of La Sagrada Familia with its explosion of scenes, excess of fruits, stories, vegetables, insects and animals. I still don’t know how I felt about Gaudi’s Cathedral in Barcelona. Perhaps the overwhelming scale is most to be admired in both. Oscar Wilde was more harsh in his criticism of Il Duomo…I don’t think I will go so far as he, but I think my heart will always lie with Notre Dame. Regardless, the bronze work, in all its busyness is a masterpiece.

Il Duomo's Main Door in Milan, Italy
Il Duomo’s Main Door in Milan, Italy

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Longing Archer at Villa del Balbianello

Posted on April 14th, 2014 by

Coming to Italy for a Single Location

I came to Italy this time around to visit this location…Villa del Balbianello on Lago (Lake) Como just north of Milan. I spent two days in Milan. It’s a wonderful city full of life and fashion, but these days I think I prefer less the overt flash of the city, and instead enjoy the seduction of nature. This villa has played host to several films. James Bond recovers here (a hospital) in the Daniel Craig version of Casino Royale. This is the Lake Retreat settings for Star Wars Episode 2 where Anakin and Padmé hide out and also the location of their wedding.

Feelings on the Lake

I can’t adequately communicate how absolutely beautiful Lago Como is and every time I try, it comes out all wrong. The wisteria was just starting to bloom and the sweet smell flooded my senses during my entire time at the lake. It seemed everywhere I turned, someone had planted another fragrant vine just to brighten my day. This statue of a female archer seemed to stare out across the beauty of the area. She had a job to do, but longed to be lost in the beauty that she found here. I know exactly how she feels.

Longing Archer at Villa del Balbianello
Longing Archer at Villa del Balbianello

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Saint Mark’s Square Venice, Italy

Posted on April 10th, 2014 by

Up Early to Shoot in the Rain

It was a slow and steady rain my last day in Venice and since it was January, being both cold AND wet is not a prospect I usually look forward to. I also had an upper respiratory infection and looking back, I wonder how smart it was for me to be out in the cold Venetian air in the first place. When you take short trips, as I do, you have to make the most of what little you have. In my case I couldn’t let the rain or the cold or my cough or jet-lag stop me from getting the photos I wanted. I am trying to take this view of life as well…I could more easily stay home, be more comfortable, not get so sick so often, take fewer trips, but there are so many places I want to go and so much to see. Though it may cause me to shiver, I can’t imagine the slow cold rain stopping me.

Saint Mark's Square Venice, Italy
Saint Mark’s Square Venice, Italy

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A Venetian Canal

Posted on March 3rd, 2014 by

Familiar Scene in Sestier de S Polo

I was standing outside Basilica dei Frari in Sestier de S Polo, Venice, Italy when I immediately recognized this scene. I am still not sure why I knew it…the Basilica behind and to my left should dominate, but for me, it was the quaint Venetian scene and as always the great light!

Friendly Locals

I love interacting with the locals. I never do it enough. While I was taking pictures this man came up and started talking to me in Italian. I tried my best to convey I didn’t speak Italian. He deeply chuckled and asked…Foto…Gruppo o Solo. AH, I understood, am I taking photos for people or for myself! SOLO, I said. Then, and I swear this happened…he deeply chuckled again this time just like Jabba the Hutt and said…”Huh huh huh…SOLO!”

A Venetian Canal
A Venetian Canal by W. Brian Duncan

Gondolas in Venice

Posted on February 20th, 2014 by

Risso

This photo is deceiving in the way that I took it. It looks as though perhaps the front of two gondola’s, but I realized this is the stern of the boat and referred to as the risso. There are a number of designs which have symbolic meaning, the curve alluding to the curve of the canals of Venice. It seems like everywhere you look in the city you see gondolas, but there are only around 400-500 remaining in the city.

Gondolas in Venice
Gondolas in Venice by W. Brian Duncan

Morning on the Rialto Bridge

Posted on February 17th, 2014 by

Bridge of Shops

Rialto Bridge is a pedestrian bridge full of shops. You can see many of them on this side, there are more on the opposite sides as well. During the day, like much of Venice, the bridge is packed with people. Venice is an odd city, part preserved Europen city and part tourist trap. It’s a bit like one of the Disney parks in a way. You pretty much love every second you are there, but you cant help but feel like you are getting taken at the same time.

Morning on the Rialto Bridge
Morning on the Rialto Bridge by W. Brian Duncan

Venetian Water Fountain

Posted on February 10th, 2014 by

Not in Short Supply

If there is one commodity Venice will never run out of, it is aqua (water). All over the city you will see little fountains like these constantly running. You are encouraged to fill up your water bottle. WHAT you say? The canals are disgusting surely you cant think I would drink that! Well, as it happens the drinking water in Venice is pumped in from the mainland. More specifically it is pumped in from the Alps and was some of the best drinking water I have had in years; no plastic, not chlorine, only pure mountain goodness. Filling up your water bottle also serves another environmental purpose. Tons of waste end up in the canals every year and plastic water bottles are a particular problem. Please, when in Venice, drink the Mayor’s Water from a fountain. The one thing I cant understand, it how they can afford to waste all that awesome water!

Venetian Water Fountain
Venetian Water Fountain by W. Brian Duncan

Venice Building

Posted on February 3rd, 2014 by

Wrapping

I am still trying to wrap my head around Venice, Italy. At once it was what I expected, but nothing really like that at all. Venice is amazing and sad, beautiful and crumbling, exciting and exhausting…it’s a city of contrasts and I LOVE it for that. The winding canals, the back tracking, the narrow alleyways seemed natural to me; I was rarely ever lost, or perhaps I was truly lost. If this post seems to meander with no purpose and perhaps to dead end all at once, I suggest visiting Venice, and perhaps it will then seem but perfect.

Random Buildings

I couldn’t stop taking photos of things in Venice that were likely very mundane. Today’s photo is of a random building somewhere in Venice around the San Polo area (my best guess). I was struck by the iridescent green of the canal (yes it was that color right then).

Venice Building
Venice Building by W. Brian Duncan