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Venice has 'captured' the heart, mind and imagination of so many writers, poets, artists and historians. Venice is one of my favourite subjects in art, literature and history, and I am always eager to learn more and look more at this unique and special place. This Venice blog is my way of collecting the wealth of images, poems, prose and impressions of Venice.

Monday 20 August 2012

What I'm reading: Alibi (Il Redentore, Giudecca)

I have been reading a suspense novel by American writer, Joseph Kanon, Alibi, which is set in Venice in the period immediately following World War II.  It's an engrossing story, which follows lovers Adam, an American soldier on leave from his post in Germany, and Claudia, a Jewish girl who is traumatised by her experiences of the war.  I was intrigued to find a novel dealing this particular moment of Venetian history.  I loved the following description of Il Redentore, seen from across the Giudecca Canal:

My bedroom window faced across the canal to the Redentore and I would look out into the darkness, waiting for its lines to start forming, as if Palladio himself were sketching them in again, until finally everything had definition, still murky but real”.
Joseph Kanon, Alibi, 2005


Photo by Capturing Venice
Designed by Palladio, Il Redentore (The Redeemer) was built in 1577-1592 in thanksgiving for the end of the 1576 plague which decimated one third of Venice’s population.  Every year, the doge would visit the church, crossing from the Zattere on a bridge of boats.
The Feast of the Redentore is still celebrated every year on the third weekend in July.
An impressive 330-metre long pontoon bridge is built from the Zattere across the Giudecca Canal and the weekend celebrations include a religious service, fireworks and regattas.


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