Behind a Mask in Venice

History is alive in Venice, through the canals, with the all fascinating masks and with historical buildings. There is no cars in here. Walking and traveling with gondola through the canals are only options.There are many places to visit. Many food to taste. Many experiments to enjoy. With all the treasures, statues and stories in Venice, it's a historical and magical place.

When we went to Venice it wasn't a carnival month but there was many stores to sell masks and costumes. And it was our honeymoon so I wore a wedding crown and vail. And I and my husband took a traditional gondola ride. So it was a carnival to us. And people reaction was hurraaa. They applauded, congratulated and shouted at us. I think the people of this city know how to have fun.

Once upon a time, Venetian people were poor fisherman. City was a Roman city but not an important city. But then the power of the city increased. Because the city gave importance to trade and became major trader in the Aegean, Cyprus and the Mediterranean.  City became a bridge between Europe and the Near East. And this Venetian sailors began to rule the seven seas. Venice turned into a powerful and rich city.

Venice was not only a commercial city, it was also a city of renaissance and art. The Carnival is still the symbol of Venice. Carnival started when they won the war against their enemy. People started to dance and celebrate their victory. And they started to wear masks because there is no any social class with a mask.

So let me tell you a story about Venice. There was a man once. He was a roman soldier, a dragon slayer and also a saint. What a combination! His name was Saint Theodore. He is absolutely like a fantastic film character with shield and spear and a dragon under his feet. His victory was great, his monster was dead. Actually his monster seems like a crocodile but I believe, once upon a time, it was like Smaug the Golden.

He was a great man living in Amasea, now called Amasya in Turkey. He was a Christian hero. According to the legend there was a dragon in Amasya. Horrible and deadly. But finally Saint Theodore slayed the dragon with his cross and saved all the people in Amasya. Actually this is a metaphor about good wins over evil. Also he fought against pagan beliefs and destroyed a Cybele monastery in Amasya. That’s why he was arrested and burned alive as a punishment. According to belief, his bones were burried in a city Euchaita and this city was also close city to Çorum in Turkey.

And his great statue was located in Konstantinopolis. But it was taken from there and taken to Venice. This is a very sad story that happened in the Fourth Crusade. Fourth Crusade’s first purpose was to take Jerusalem. But ambition, politics and money cause bad things. Army attacked to Konstantinopolis and then they invaded the city, killed all the people and then took all the statues, golds, silvers and money. And this statue was also one of them. You can see from my photos what heroic man he is. Now Saint Theodore statue is located on a column in St. Mark Square. When i saw the statue, i approached it. And i looked from the bottom of the column, the column was like a path to the sky and Theodore at the top was like a true saint in the clouds. But this is a copy. Original one is in Palazzo Ducale. And when i finally saw the original statue, aside from whether or not Theodore killed a monster, all i could think about was that he’s come a long way. I felt sorry. He was far from home. 

This is only one statue’s story. But in Venice, there are so many treasures and places to see and so many stories to tell. I am pretty sure that you won’t regret going to Venice!