Diane Snider Photos

To understand the uniqueness of Grand Canal architecture, you must realize that these structures were built centuries ago on water-level platforms which, in turn, were constructed on top of 15 foot pilings driven into the marshy land below which was actually sediment that was washed out from the Italian mainland nearby. (And with no assistance from computer-aided design nor cell phone communication among the construction men!) Interestingly enough, much of the wood for pilings came all the way from Scandinavia - by ship of course.

You don't recognize this photo of the Bridge of Sighs ( enclosed bridge in the background)?