This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
I have always loved traveling, collecting new stories, and immortalizing moments. This time, I set my course for the fairy-tale city built upon water—Venice. In this city entirely isolated from the noise of the modern world and vehicle traffic, focusing solely on the rhythm of the water and the sound of footsteps on stone streets feels like therapy. Let us explore Venice step by step through the frames captured by my lens.
San Simeone Piccolo Church (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
As I walked toward the heart of the city, the moment I reached the water’s edge, I was greeted by that iconic view. This is the Grand Canal (Canal Grande); the city’s main artery. The sleek black wooden gondolas, adorned with golden embellishments and famous crimson velvet seats, gently sway upon the water. In fact, each gondola’s length and shape has been built for centuries according to standardized dimensions—approximately 11 meters—designed to match the depth and curves of the canals. Together with the colorful historic Venetian houses in the background, they create such an aesthetic scene that I immediately realized I was in the perfect place to capture those vintage-textured Instagram photos and gather ample footage for my travel videos, which I would later edit with music on CapCut.
Gondolas Suitable for City Tours (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
I directed my steps toward St Mark’s Square, the true heart of the city. When I stepped onto the vast square, I found St Mark’s Basilica waiting for me in all its grandeur, alongside the monumental clock tower. Looking upward, I was awestruck by the golden mosaics adorning its façade—hence its nickname, the “Golden Church”—as well as the delicate stonework and equestrian statues. This Byzantine masterpiece from the 11th century takes on an entirely different dimension when bathed in the soft morning light.
St Mark’s Basilica (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
As I glided from the square toward the dock and gazed across the water, I saw it standing alone yet profoundly noble in the midst of the waves: San Giorgio Maggiore. Designed by Palladio, this Renaissance masterpiece stands out among Venice’s red tones with its pristine white marble façade. Far removed from the sweet chaos of the main island, it appeared incredibly peaceful and serene. Viewing Venice’s silhouette not only from within but also from this vantage point dramatically expanded my perspective.
San Giorgio Maggiore (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
Continuing my walk along the Grand Canal, I was met by the imposing white dome and majestic statues of Santa Maria della Salute. The church’s history is equally compelling: it was built as a thanksgiving offering for deliverance from the plague that once ravaged the city. After crossing so many bridges, I felt weary and sat down on its wide stone steps. As I watched the yellow-and-white vaporettos glide past me, I lost all sense of time.
Santa Maria della Salute (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
When I stepped away from Venice’s bustling streets and canals and passed through these monumental gates, I was enveloped in an entirely different atmosphere. As I wandered through what was once a place of worship for a different faith, I approached it with natural admiration for its architecture and excitement at observing the labor of centuries. The grandeur of its high ceilings, the massive columns, and the way silence echoed through its interior with remarkable acoustics were simply mesmerizing. After walking kilometers through the city’s narrow alleys, breathing within this historic fabric, examining its unmatched stonework and domes, became one of the most restorative and culturally fulfilling moments of my journey.
Interior of the Church (Video: Ahsen Güneş)
If you ask me, the golden rule for exploring Venice is to turn off your map and deliberately get lost in its narrow alleyways. After so much walking, one certainly deserves a hearty Italian meal. As I studied the menus, I paid extra attention to ingredients since I do not consume pork. Fortunately, Venice offers excellent alternatives; I had no trouble finding charming Italian restaurants serving the fresh cheeses, basil, or chicken dishes I adore. Especially the seafood pasta and pizzas made with fresh mozzarella were truly restorative.
Mozzarella Pizza (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)
First Encounter: The Grand Canal and the Rhythm of Gondolas
The Splendor of the Square: St Mark’s Basilica
The Nobility Across the Water: San Giorgio Maggiore
The Jewel of the Canal: Santa Maria della Salute
The Resonance of History and Architecture: Behind the Grand Gates
A Small Note: Getting Lost in the Streets and Italian Flavors