#Venetian landmarks

[bottegapowerpoint]

Francesco Guardi, View of the Rialto Bridge, Venice

[herbalnature]

Strolling through a flooded St. Mark's Square feels surreal, with Venetians wading through the water like it's just another day. The historic architecture stands unfazed, a testament to Venice's timeless charm amid nature's whims.

[rabbitcruiser]

The Venetian Las Vegas opened on May 3, 1999.

[tagthescullion]

I feel like Nico being from Venice and the Argo II crew briefly stopping in Venice should have had more of a focus.

Like, all we get is Nico mentioning his mother used to tell him stories about the ghosts of Venice (do we get any details? No), that one time he and Bianca went on a weekend trip, and how they went to the US when World War II started. That's it.

First of all, how does Nico even remember Venice (where he apparently grew up, despite Hades saying he met Maria in Washington DC) and his mother? He and Bianca were dipped in the Lethe! A year earlier in TLO he didn't even remember her name! Suddenly he has childhood memories of her?

Him not remembering Venice and his mother could have been worked into the plot. Like him not remembering anything yet knowing he grew up here. Nico volunteering to go into the city with Frank and Hazel because he wants to see if anything jogs his memory. Wandering the streets looking at any old buildings wishing and hoping that anything seems familiar. Talking with Hazel about how he knows he's from here seventy years ago but doesn't remember a thing.

But since he does somehow remember, more attention should have been paid to that. Nico wandering the streets automatically heading toward his childhood home. Finding his way into the old di Angelo plot in a graveyard. Pointing out familiar landmarks, or, conversely, being confused because familiar landmarks no longer exist. Talking in Italian with passersby (don't even get me started on Nico knowing Italian in the later series, which seems to have been retconned from PJO. I think I might send in another ask sometime about that). Actually knowing what the katobleps are because, you know, he grew up here and would have seen them instead of just barely remembering what they are from Mythomagic. Talking with Hazel about his memories of Venice so long ago and how he feels about returning only a few years later for him but seventy years for everyone else. More talking with Hazel in general.

Instead, we get only a couple mentions. If there's anyone who deserves to have more of a focus on returning to his childhood homeland it's Nico, but he doesn't get it.

I'll start this by saying: rick's timeline is a wobbly bit of weak twine that's threading and creating other unexplainable plotholes

(adding a division bc it got long and not everybody has 'long post' filtered)

maria and hades meet in DC (implying nico and bianca are yanks)

maria and hades meet in venezia (implying nico and bianca are italian)

nico and bianca are born long before the war, that's why by the time they're 10 and 12 they left italy bc the war hadn't yet begun

nico and bianca were born in 30-32 so by 1938 nico was 6 when he went to croatia on holiday, implying they'd been 10-12 in 1942 the war had already started! italy was about to get divided north vs south

nico and bianca were born in 30-32 so by 1938 nico was 6 when he went to croatia, and they still went to the US before the war (<1940), so how in fuck's name does nico know of his venetian neighbour who came back PTSD-ed from the african campaign (1940-1943)????

nico and bianca have no memories bc they were bathed in the lethe, ergo no memories, ergo nico betrays percy to hades to learn about his mother

nico's memories, which shone for their absence for three years, start popping up like ants after rain in HoO?? just like that?? except the freaky cow-things, those ofc he can't remember despite them being a fucking pain in the arse and him having been annoyed/in danger for.. 10 years???

in the end, it's less about rick's subpar ability to keep up with his own characters, and his greedy need to keep writing books without a capable editor knowing he can't remember shite of any of his old stuff.. it's more about just picking whatever makes you happy

I like foreign nico and bianca, bc my country's culture's got a lot from italians, so I'll take HoO's (sort of) version. that and it fits better with my long and niche hcs of maria

nico and bianca being born in 30-32 (or 31 and 33 bc it fit better for my hcs) feels more legit to give nico that whole pre-war/beginning of the war background, but that's only bc wwii is interesting to me

I hc from PJO times that the underworld rivers don't affect children of hades too much, so nico and bianca did have some chunks of memory here and there, like islands of light in a dark ocean.. the speed with which nico gets back every single childhood thing? I don't vibe..

and as for nico being in his hometown.. god above it pains me to hell and back but rick is a white middle-upper class privileged yank boomer, I can't trust him to write his own compatriots, I simply cannot consider his foreigners as canon until people from those countries have given their thumbs-up

as a last comment in this eternal post: I truly, from the bottom of my judgy, bitchy heart, don't think rick even realised (originally) that italy wasn't on the US's side of WWII..

[gemsofgreece]

The Parthenon marbles this, the Parthenon marbles that...

I don´t know how known the extent of Greek antiquity looting by West Europeans is to most people or most have a limited image painting the British Museum or Lord Elgin as the sole / main villain. 

Here we have the Piraeus Lion (Italian: Leone del Pireo) , one of the four lions decorating the Venetian arsenal in Italy. The prominence of the 3 meter tall lion statue in the port is such that it is also known as Porto Leone ("Lion Port"). 

We are eternally thankful for the massive courtesy of calling the statue the Piraeus Lion, indicating its origin from Piraeus, the port city of Athens. The statue was sculpted around 360 BC and remained a famous landmark of Piraeus, Athens until 1687. 

In 1687, it was looted by Venetian naval commander Francesco Morosini, the man also notoriously responsible for the bombardment of the Parthenon during the wars of the Venetians with the Ottoman Turks, therefore in fact the most irreversible destruction it suffered in its 2,500 year long history. Somehow they were fighting the Turks but it was the Greeks paying for it. 

Is it totally and universally acknowledged that Morosini illegally looted this sculpture among so many others? Yes. Does the Piraeus Lion still sit casually in the Venetian port in 2024 as if Venice has a shortage of artefacts to decorate itself with? Also yes. Meanwhile, the Greeks have to limit themselves to a replica in the Piraeus Archaeological Museum. 

The Horses of Saint Mark in Venice are also Greek artefacts, this time looted from Constantinople during the crusades, although their original display was in Chios island. Another thing little known is how many ancient and medieval Greek artefacts were looted from the Eastern Roman / Byzantine Empire because people tend to focus on classical antiquities looted in the 19th century. 

[Fun fact:  The Piraeus Lion has runic inscriptions carved by Swedes in the 11th century. These were either Viking explorers or Varangian mercenaries of the Byzantine Empire.]  

[oldshowbiz]

Jack Lemmon does San Francisco landmarks like Tommy's Joynt, The Brocklebank, The Fairmont Hotel lobby and the Fairmont Venetian Room in the film Good Neighbor Sam (1964)

[vintagelasvegas]

Las Vegas Strip, Summer 1975. Aerial photos of major Strip properties from “Proposal for the Xanadu Hotel and Casino,” Martin Stern Jr. AIA Architect & Associates. Julius Shulman, photographer.

Hacienda (demolished, now Mandalay Bay) Tropicana Marina (now MGM Grand) Aladdin (demolished, Planet Hollywood) MGM Grand (Horseshoe Las Vegas) Dunes (demolished, Bellagio) Flamingo Caesars Palace Holiday (Harrahs) Castaways (demolished, The Mirage) Sands (demolished, The Venetian) Frontier (demolished) Desert Inn (demolished, Encore & Wynn) Stardust (demolished, Resorts World) Riviera (demolished) Thunderbird (demolished, Fontainebleau site) Circus Circus Sahara Landmark (demolished, Convention Center) Las Vegas Hilton (Westgate)

[fightingglamour]

okkkayy! plot call for my people for vegassss! @fightingglamour, @obeybrookes, @ratedrcope and @rollinsrevolution, too!

i would def love to write with all of you during this trip so PLEASE lmk if you want to and i can start some dumb treads. i tend to be so wordy lately, but so down to do a bunch of lil ones to break the habit.

i’ll get to the meme requests ones in a bit later (unless you’re willing to do it with the current vegas of it all) since this is a current happening. i’m going to drop some vibes below the cut so you know the vibes they all bring and some ideas we can write. <3

dm me or like this if you would like anything. i’m going to take benadryl and beat these allergies and be back in a few hours!!

also these are general ideas, also would love to plot some fun for during the games, too!

let mariah: encourage you to do something dumb and regretful, get high with you and stare at the vegas lights and talk about life, convince you to totally talk to that celebrity you both see that wants nothing to do with either of you, late night drunk food run, throw a drink on you idk, getting lost somehow in the casino, go to the spa, slot machines, or anything silly, tbh. btw if you take her to a claw machine and win her a stuffed animal, she will become your bff. she is ridiculously good at them and will challenge you and heckle you the entire time, too. she is generally more laid back lately and if not busy, hanging with her boyf judging and gossiping. oop.

let chris: fake propose to you in front of a vegas landmark to trick tourists and cause a bunch of attention on you both (bonus points if your character has no idea he’s doing this and people stop and stare and yours feels compelled to go along with it), get high also and lay somewhere so he can look at the lights and be enamored, drunkenly convince you to get a tattoo or even matching ones, take a gondola ride at the venetian, get a caricature drawn by a street artist, go to a gentleman’s club bc ofc he would love it and pull a hook 2.0, slow dance with you drunkenly beneath the fremont light show just bc, visit the neon sign museum with you, go to the eiffel tower experience. fall in love and have a bb with you. jkjk i swear.

let adam: ride the high roller with you, take you to mini golf, help de escalate a situation getting out of hand or talk you down from doing something stupid, go indoor skydiving, hang out at the pool, go and take pics with wax celebs at madame tussauds, watch a water and light show with you, take you to excalibur’s tournament of kings --- basically anything mentioned above with chris.

seth will do anything since he’s just here for a good time and to make sure everyone has fun, legit big dad vibes with this one since he doesn’t really drink or do much partying. he will 100% be wherever @bitws is.

[myvacationsbooking]

Europe Tour: Let's go With Us.

Europe Tour: Amsterdam, Paris, Switzerland, Venice, Florence, and Rome

European memories past some of the most iconic cities of the continent, from quaint canals in Amsterdam to eternal romance in Paris, via the grand Swiss Alps, the bewitching beauty of Venice, and on to the ancient wonders of Florence and Rome. Each of these destinations comes with a different feel of European culture, history, and charm.

1. Day 1–2: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Start your European journey in Amsterdam, a city known for its picturesque canals, world-class museums, and vibrant culture: Things to Do:

Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum: To finally see the masterworks of the Dutch and breathtaking works of Van Gogh.

Canal Cruise: Take a boat tour and enjoy the architectural beauty of Amsterdam.

Jordaan District: Walk down narrow streets lined with boutique shops, cafes, and art galleries.

Vondelpark: Take a break in the most famous park of the city.

2. Day 3–4: Paris, France

Next stop: Paris, the City of Lights! From its iconic landmarks to rich history, Paris is a must-see. Things to Do:

Eiffel Tower: Go up and enjoy the arresting panoramic views of the city.

Louvre Museum-home to the Mona Lisa and thousands of other famous world-renowned works of art.

Notre Dame & Sainte-Chapelle: Be amazed by these Gothic masterpieces with their breathtaking stained glass.

Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe: This is a walk down the most famous avenue, culminating in visiting this national symbol.

3. Day 5–6: Switzerland (Zurich & Lucerne)

Switzerland offers stunning natural beauty with its majestic mountains and clear lakes. Begin with Zurich before heading to Lucerne for the quintessential Swiss experience. Things to Do:

Zurich: A walk through Old Town, a boat ride on Lake Zurich, or visit the Swiss National Museum.

Lucerne: Walk across the Chapel Bridge with a view toward the Swiss Alps.

Pilatus or Rigi Mountain: Take a day trip up either of these two close mountains for hiking or a cable car ride.

Interlaken & Jungfrau: Still thirsty for more alpine adventures, head to the Top of Europe for its panoramic views and snow sports.

4. Day 7–8: Venice, Italy

From Switzerland, fly or take a train to Venice, one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Things to Do:

St. Mark's Basilica: Look in wonder at the mosaics and the architectural beauty of this location.

Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge: A gondola ride or Vaporetto up the famous canal.

Doge's Palace: Go for a tour around this historic seat of the Venetian power.

Burano & Murano: See these colorful islands known for lace making and blowing during this excursion.

5.Day 9–10: Florence, Italy

Florence, the heart of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, will captivate art and history lovers. Things to Do:

Uffizi Gallery & Accademia Gallery: Marvel at the works from Michelangelo, Botticelli, and da Vinci.

Duomo & Giotto's Bell Tower: Climb to the top for sweeping views of Florence.

Ponte Vecchio: Cross this iconic bridge known for its jewelry shops.

Piazzale Michelangelo: Enjoy the view while the sun is setting in Florence.

6. Day 11-12: Rome, Italy

Your journey ends in Rome, the Eternal City. History comes alive with ancient ruins, grand monuments, and Renaissance art. Things to Do:

Colosseum & Roman Forum: Travel back in time to ancient Rome and just envision those gladiatorial combats.

Pantheon: See this ancient temple dedicated to all gods.

Trevi Fountain: It permits people, according to its tradition, to throw a coin into the water for good luck and in order not to forget their return to Rome.

Travel Tips:

Trains: Europe has a very intensive web of trains; hence, it is the best way to travel, especially between big cities.

Flights: Budget airlines can be a good option to travel greater distances, such as from Switzerland to Venice.

Currency: All listed destinations use the Euro except Switzerland, which uses the Swiss Franc as official currency.

Packing: An individual will need comfortable shoes when touring cities like Paris and Rome, which include lots of walking.

Book Now Your Trip With Us! Contact Us:- +91 9818 78115, Visit Form Link.

This itinerary gives you the perfect blend of vibrant cities, historical wonders, and stunning landscapes. Enjoy your European adventure!

[pers-books]

Heart stopping beauty of Sycamore Gap bought to life by ‘Heartwood’: An exhibition of five tree prints created from a disc of the felled tree’s trunk

'Spirituality' is one of five Heartwood exhibition prints created from a disc of the felled Sycamore Gap tree by printmaker Shona Branigan | © National Trust Images/The House of Hues

A collection of five bespoke tree prints entitled ‘Heartwood’, created from an approx. 90cm diameter disc of the trunk of the felled iconic Sycamore Gap tree, will go on public display today [Monday 15 July].

The National Trust approached printmaker Shona Branigan, known for her detailed and evocative tree prints, to create the commemorative artworks that will be exhibited at four locations along the span of Hadrian’s Wall.

The fallen tree, which towered 50-foot above Hadrian’s Wall before it was felled last September, was removed from site and has been looked after by the National Trust in a safe location while the charity works with its various partners and artists to ensure there is an enduring legacy of the tree informed by the huge public response to its loss.

Five prints are to be displayed at four locations: Newcastle City Library, Hexham Abbey – which will host two prints - Housesteads visitor centre on Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. All venues are publicly accessible and free to enter.

The exhibition will run until 1 September 2024 before all five prints will go on display together at The Queen’s Hall, Hexham, from 6 September until 19 October 2024.

Individually themed, named and coloured, the giant tree prints show every tree ring, groove and detail from the cross-section of the almost heart shaped trunk of the 200-year-old tree.

Funded by North East Combined Authority and developed in collaboration with the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership and Historic England, ‘Heartwood’ is the first official artistic response created in memory of the much-loved fallen Northumberland tree.

Following the unprecedented public response and outpouring of emotion to the tree’s felling last September, the organisations have together developed a programme of legacy work from the thousands of suggestions for ways in which to remember the historical landmark.

Through three emerging themes, ‘Nature Response’, ‘Space for Reflection’, and ‘Artistic Response’, people will be encouraged to connect, reflect and remember the iconic tree in positive and meaningful ways.

More details will be shared in the coming months as it approaches one year on from the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and will include engagement work with local schools, tree planting initiatives in the North East, digital legacies and further artistic interpretations.

A close up of 'History', one of five Heartwood exhibition prints created from a disc of the felled Sycamore Gap tree by printmaker Shona Branigan | © National Trust Images/The House of Hues

“Heartwood will be a space for just that, for people to respond and engage with Shona’s exceptionally beautiful artworks that capture the very essence, the ‘heart’ of the treasured tree.”

Printmaker Shona Branigan worked from her studio in Grizedale Forest using traditional methods and materials to create the delicately detailed set of hand burnished relief prints from the precious disc of sycamore wood.

Each ‘Heartwood’ print has unique depth, context and colourways, with names linked to the Sycamore Gap tree and its historic location. ‘Knowledge’ is gold ink; ‘Spirituality’ is blue, ultramarine ink, with iridescent electric blue, purple and hansa yellow watercolours; ‘Landscape’ is burnt umber ink with sap green and yellow ochre watercolour; ‘History’ is Venetian red ink and hansa yellow deep watercolour.

The fifth print, ‘Access’ is hand pressed onto heritage rag paper without ink in a process called Blind Embossing, presenting a tactile experience, inviting touch along the rings of the tree.

Shona Branigan said: "It is with wood printing specifically that my fascination with trees and their lives in the landscape is expressed. I felt privileged to be asked to print Sycamore Gap, and I also felt a responsibility to do my best so that I could honour not only the tree itself but all the people who loved the tree too. As a north easterner I have known Sycamore Gap all my life and visited regularly, the tree was such a haven in the wild landscape.

“The actual process of printing the Sycamore gap has been epic. It's a really big piece and a slow process due to it all being done by hand, first creating a printable surface from the rough wood, then applying traditional inks, before beginning the slow process of printing using a bone folder tool so that I can reach every nuance of the surface. The paper is laid on top and becomes embossed with the 3D shape of the wood and tree rings, which are the embodiment of the landscape in tree cellular form. It's taken several hours, and my muscles are definitely aching after the effort - but, now that the series of prints are complete, I am pleased and proud of my work.

“It's a testament to the tree, to the life of that tree and the lives of other trees to see, to work with it, to see its life, to appreciate it."

For a number of years, Shona volunteered in the press room at Cherryburn, the Northumbrian farmstead cared for by the National Trust and the birthplace of Thomas Bewick, world-renowned wood engraver and naturalist, where she learned traditional printmaking techniques. Her extensive knowledge and experience of working with wood printing was what led the charity to approach Shona to develop the meaningful artistic response.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness added: “Our iconic tree can never be replaced but this beautiful artwork allows its memory to live on.

“The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree was a devastating moment for me and for so many others across the region and the world. I’m so pleased that something positive can come from this and that communities have been part of developing the exhibition.”

The National Trust is currently working with Shona to produce a special ‘Heartwood’ related print to go on sale in due course. Details on how to purchase a print will be announced by the National Trust on social media later in the year.

[emily-watch-the-stars]

Doge's Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy - Explore petrus.agricola's photos on Flickr.

[kaitropoli]

Pałaso Dogal | Venezia, Veneto.

Information:

Built in the 7th century and reconstructed in the 13th century, this Venetian Gothic landmark features small columned loggias, tracery with quatrefoil openings, ogge arches, and reliefs from capping ornaments to ropework.

Venetian Gothic architecture borrows aesthetics from Byzantine and Islamic architectures. Another design similar to Doge's Palace is the Ca' d'Oro, also found in Venice, Italy.

Photo Credits:

"L'Arcangelo Gabriele annunziante, sull'angolo di Palazzo ducale a Venezia adiacente alla Porta della Carta" by Giovanni Dall'Orto, taken 30th July 2008.

"Venezia , Veneto" by Kaz Ish, taken 12th July 2012.

[herbalnature]

Strolling through a flooded Piazza San Marco in Venice, people navigate the waters with an almost surreal calm. The historic architecture looms gracefully above, witnessing nature's whimsical play on this 'interesting day'.

[rabbitcruiser]

The Venetian Las Vegas opened on May 3, 1999.

[gtunesmiff]

The Miami Biltmore || Coral Gables, Florida

The Miami Biltmore Hotel and Country Club is a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1926.

The hotel’s tower was designed as a recreation of the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain, and its main structure is reminiscent of Mediterranean Renaissance–era architecture, with several balconies, ornate terrazzos, and tile floors.

15-acre site was connected by canals to a swimming pool created from a rock-pit/quarry, still in operation by the City of Coral Gables, and accessed by "Venetian gondolas" (hence the pool's name as "Venetian Pool")

In the 1920s, the new hotel drew notable guests such as Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Franklin Roosevelt, and Al Capone.

During World War II, however, the luxury hotel was converted into an army hospital.

The building remained a Veterans Administration Hospital until the City of Coral Gables restored it to its former glory in the 1980s.

The modern Biltmore also underwent a more recent $40 million dollar renovation, which added a championship golf club and one of the largest hotel pools in the country.

[gemsofgreece]

The castle of the throne "Castello dello Soglio" was the first name of the Venetian castle, which along with Palamidi, is considered one of the landmarks of Nafplio. Nevertheless, the name that finally prevailed is Bourtzi, which in Turkish means "Island - Fortress".

Photo and commentary by chris_kap.21 on Instagram.