The Grand Canal -- Venice has and shall always be the beneficiary of foreign riches.  Before reaching the supremely picturesque waterfronts of the Grand Canal, present-day visitors are reminded of this fact by traversing past vast complexes of oil refineries and freighter docks.  (They themselves are perhaps the city's greatest commodity; tourism has been a key Venetian industry since the 14th century.)  Back in medieval times, however, maritime commerce is taken right into the heart of the city via this celebrated waterway, from the Piazza San Marco to the markets of Rialto.

This photo was taken with the Canon Pro70 digital camera.

Northern Italy 2000