This is Day 9 for the
Blogging from A to Z Challenge
for 2013.
Today we visit three very different islands: Ile de la Cité in Paris, the island of Burano in the Venetian Lagoon and the Isle of Capri off the west coast of Italy.
Ile de la Cité is the birthplace of Paris. This is where you'll find the gothic cathedral of Notre Dame and a climb to the top of the tower rewards you with panoramic views of the city.
Much smaller Sainte-Chapelle is renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows.
The Conciergerie is the former royal palace and prison where Marie Antoinette was held prior to her beheading by guillotine during the French Revolution.
The island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon is known as the fisherman's island. Fishermen painted their homes in distinctive colours so could they find their way home in foggy conditions, and painting of these buildings today is strictly regulated by the government.
Burano has its own leaning tower, the bell tower of San Martino Church.
The island has been known for centuries for its lace making.
There are no cars on the islands of Venice (with the exception of the Lido) so all essential services are carried out by boat.
The Isle of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea has been a glamorous getaway since the days of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, who both built villas here. In more recent times it has drawn artists, writers, and many tourists.
The Gardens of Augustus offer the best views of the Faraglioni Rocks off the coast of the island.
Via Krupp is a zigzagging footpath leading down the steep cliffside from the Gardens of Augustus to Marina Piccola on the south side of the island.
The Isle of Capri is the land of the Sirens, Homer's mythical creatures who lured sailors to their deaths on the rocks with their enchanting song.
Perhaps it was the beauty of the island, not the Sirens, who led men astray.
Next: "J" is for Joy
Ile de la Cité is the birthplace of Paris. This is where you'll find the gothic cathedral of Notre Dame and a climb to the top of the tower rewards you with panoramic views of the city.
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| Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris |
Notre Dame Chimera Overlooks Paris
Much smaller Sainte-Chapelle is renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows.
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| Sainte-Chapelle, Paris |
The Conciergerie is the former royal palace and prison where Marie Antoinette was held prior to her beheading by guillotine during the French Revolution.
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| The Conciergerie, Paris |
The island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon is known as the fisherman's island. Fishermen painted their homes in distinctive colours so could they find their way home in foggy conditions, and painting of these buildings today is strictly regulated by the government.
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| The Houses of Burano |
Burano has its own leaning tower, the bell tower of San Martino Church.
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| The Leaning Tower of Burano |
The island has been known for centuries for its lace making.
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| Lace Maker, Burano |
There are no cars on the islands of Venice (with the exception of the Lido) so all essential services are carried out by boat.
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| Ambulance Boats Docked in Burano |
The Isle of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea has been a glamorous getaway since the days of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, who both built villas here. In more recent times it has drawn artists, writers, and many tourists.
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| Gardens of Augustus, Capri |
The Gardens of Augustus offer the best views of the Faraglioni Rocks off the coast of the island.
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| Faraglioni Rocks, Capri |
Via Krupp is a zigzagging footpath leading down the steep cliffside from the Gardens of Augustus to Marina Piccola on the south side of the island.
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| Via Krupp, Capri |
The Isle of Capri is the land of the Sirens, Homer's mythical creatures who lured sailors to their deaths on the rocks with their enchanting song.
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| Capri, Land of the Sirens |
Perhaps it was the beauty of the island, not the Sirens, who led men astray.
Next: "J" is for Joy
SO much detail. It's so beautiful there. I want to go!! And that gargoyle is awesome.
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z blogging!
pensuasion.blogspot.com
Thank you! Getting up close to them was definitely worth the climb. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGolly. Takes me back to when we climbed those bloody stairs at Notre Dame as a kid. Worth it in the end, though. LOVE the sirens. Too bad they made that awful movie with Hugh Grant about the sirens. Can't remember the name, now.
ReplyDeleteI love Hugh Grant but missed that movie (perhaps that's a good thing!)
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteI feel like we should visit Burano while we're in Venice on our mother/daughter trip to Europe this summer. After your photos and some photos I've seen on other blogs, it looks too colorful to pass up!
ReplyDeleteBurano would look even better under sunny skies (we were there in the rain). And we had the most delicious seafood risotto there.
DeleteI have such a similar picture to that gargoyle one overlooking Paris! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's just the perfect spot to take a photo, isn't it?
Delete