During the Easter break from school we travelled to the beautiful city of Venice: City of Bridges and City of Light. It was a unique experience due to the beauty of the city and its long maritime history. I was intrigued by the many small side streets that are noticably quiet because Venice is the only car free city in Europe. Travelling is done by gondola or vaporetta (waterbus) or on foot.The many small islands that make up the city are linked by about 400 bridges, each with its own individual character.
The main streets are lined with colourful gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants. I loved the displays of masks, a centuries old Venetian tradition, now typically worn during Carnevale. They were originally used for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.
The Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor's Mask) with its long beak is one of the most bizarre and recognisable of the Venetian masks. The striking design has a macabre history originating from Charles de Lorme, a 16th century French physician, who adopted the mask together with other peculiar sanitary precautions while treating victims of plague.
The doctors who followed de Lorme's example wore a black hat and long black cloak as well as the mask, white gloves and a stick (to move patients without having to come into physical contact). They hoped these precautions would prevent them contracting the disease.
My wardrobe does not include any of the macarbe clothing but I do use the small brass mask daily, as a key ring.
The main streets are lined with colourful gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants. I loved the displays of masks, a centuries old Venetian tradition, now typically worn during Carnevale. They were originally used for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.
The Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor's Mask) with its long beak is one of the most bizarre and recognisable of the Venetian masks. The striking design has a macabre history originating from Charles de Lorme, a 16th century French physician, who adopted the mask together with other peculiar sanitary precautions while treating victims of plague.
The doctors who followed de Lorme's example wore a black hat and long black cloak as well as the mask, white gloves and a stick (to move patients without having to come into physical contact). They hoped these precautions would prevent them contracting the disease.
My wardrobe does not include any of the macarbe clothing but I do use the small brass mask daily, as a key ring.
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