A Világörökségek kívül-belül: Velence

ACCESS 360° World Heritage – Venice

For most people Venice is the ultimate tourist destination, a place of palazzos and gondola cruises that conjure images of times past, of romance and mystery and echoes of lavish parties filled with wealthy merchants and their beautiful wives entertained by the very best opera singers and stars of their day. Hand on heart I have to admit I was not one of those enthusiasts. I have been to Venice I believe twelve times, or certainly more than ten. So this trip was not filling me with excitement save for the opportunity to work with a new crew and a return to Europe from my Asian base.

It’s not that Venice is not all of the above mentioned. Just that in my case over-familiarity had bred apathy. With the exception of two occasions, my visits to Venice were mostly to film holiday programmes and holiday programmes with their formulaic nature tend to repeat the same scenarios over and over.

But from Shoot day one there was already a different feel. Arriving at Piazza San Marco we were taken inside the Basilica and given access to the sort of behind-the-scenes experience that few people ever get to see. High on the roof watching passionate Venetians restoring old frescos and decaying plasterwork I began to gain a real appreciation for the labour of love that these people endure to maintain their city for future generations.
Most people are aware that Venice is sinking. Most people will know and tell you that someday Venice will be reclaimed by the sea. What most people are unaware of is the daily struggle that goes into the maintenance, restoration and preservation of Venice as a true treasure for all mankind to enjoy and visit and marvel at. And it was through my exposure to these people; these locals and their infectious passion for their work that I began to understand once more what it is that makes Venice so special. From the building restoration projects to the grand-scale underwater gates being constructed to keep the sea at bay, it is impossible to ignore the love and pride these people have for their city. It is what makes Venetians special even amongst other Italians.

Francesco da Mosto’s tour of his native city’s marketplaces, alleyways, canals and marshlands opened up a side to Venice that I simply had not seen before and reawakened my enthusiasm for the visual splendor of a city that had all too sadly lost its appeal for me. Shooting this show placed me in the privileged position of getting first-hand experience of the behind-the-scenes of possibly the world’s most beautiful city. A peek behind the wizard’s curtain if you will. And it has certainly renewed my desire to revisit, only next time with a full appreciation of the city and its place in world culture.

Venice – Facts

1. Venice is made up of 118 islands that are separated by canals and connected by over four hundred bridges.

2. Venice is the birthplace of Baroque composer, Antonio Vivaldi, who is best known for composing the violin concerto – the Four Seasons.

3. The Bridge of Sighs in Venice connects the Palace of the Doges and the prison, over the Rio di Palazzo canal. The name is based on a legend, in which prisoners used to cross the bridge to the prison and sigh after seeing the outside world for the last time.

4. Venice is the birthplace of famed 11th century Italian explorer, Marco Polo, who travelled through Asia, only to return to Venice after 24 years of voyage.

5. One of the most recognized symbols of Venice, the St Mark’s Campanile collapsed in 1902. No one was killed, except for the caretaker’s cat.

A Világörökségek kívül-belül: Velence című műsort okt. 18-án, szombaton 18 órakor vetíti a National Geographic Channel.