Shortly after we arrived in Venice, a massive downpour soaked us to the bone. This shot is the calm after the storm, where the water was amazingly still.

While we were in Venice, we learned about it’s history and architecture. Since I knew little of Venice, other than it being famous for it’s water, and sinking to due being built on sand, I learned a lot.

Something I didn’t know — and something that is evident in this photo — is that Venice (as a port) originally serviced the Middle East and not Italy. Because of this, a lot of Venetian design is Middle Eastern. Look at the windows right in the centre of the photo, you’ll see rounded outlines reminiscent of Turkish and even Russian design.

Much later, Venice began servicing Italy, which they saw as a lucrative market, which is why it now looks more Italian. Examples such as this are everywhere in Venice and it’s fun to try and spot them (since you’re lost all the time, may as well try and have fun with it!).