Bridge of Sighs

[Part Two of a three-part series on our sojourn in Venice, Italy. Part Three, “Life and Death in Venice,” appears next.]

James D. Priest

Having a bad day? Let me tell you something that will put your problems into chilling perspective.

Not long ago, my wife Ilka and I visited Venice, Italy. Now a major attraction for tourists, for centuries it was a definitive world power, a center of wealth, commerce, and military domination. Though tiny geographically, this city once had an incredible 3,000 ships navigating the oceans for trade and combat.

Today, however, Venice is but a shell, a shadow of its former self, still fascinating to see, but important only as a showplace and as part of history. Transportation in the city, which is only 2.7 squ...

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